Hello everyone!
I have completed the itinerary and thank you all who gave feedback. I do a have couple more questions before we leave.
**Logistics**
*1.E-Sim vs. Pocket Wifi vs. adding international to current mobile carriers?*
Our phones aren’t jailbroken and we have 2 separate mobile carriers. Looks like Pocket wifi would be most cost effective, but I don’t mind paying more if one of these other options are better
*2. Suica in advance or at the airport?*
*3. Luggage forwarding: Tokyo>Kyoto>Osaka>Tokyo*
Is this something we should set up now, or is this something that the hotels help with?
I have emailed our hotels asking if they help/if they accept forwarded luggage. Still pending their responses.
Is there a luggage forwarding service you would recommend?
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**Should we change our Kyoto Itinerary**
This is what we have currently
*\*(Day 5) Wednesday, March 27*
Tokyo > Kyoto
\-Travel to Kyoto in the morning
\-Drop bags off to Inn/Onsen (or luggage forwarding)
\-1pm Traditional Tea Ceremony Maikoya at Nishiki \*Reservation\*
\-Check into Inn/Onsen (Kawaramachi Area)
\-Enjoy facilities
\-Nishiki Market
\-Sit along the Kamogawa and have snacks/drinks
\-Pontocho Alley
*\*(Day 6) Thursday, March 28*
Kyoto
\-Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (early)
\-Arashiyama Monkey Park
\-Okochi Sanso Garden (optional)
\-Tenryu-ji (optional)
\-Shishiku Garden (optional)
\-Enjoy facilities
*\*(Day 7) Friday, March 29*
Kyoto
\-Fushimi Inari Taisha (early)
\-Kiyomizu-dera
\-Sanneizaka & Nineizaka
\-Enjoy facilities
\-Gion Shimbashi
\-Hanamikoji Street
\-Gion Shimbashi Bridge
*(Day 8) Saturday, March 30*
Kyoto > Osaka
\-Kinkaku-ji Temple
\-Philosophers Path
\-Travel to Osaka
I’m thinking about removing items from day 6 because Arashiyama sounds like it will be so busy that it would be hard to enjoy. I was thinking of replacing this day with
\-Okazaki canal boat ride
\-Mt Kurama (could be cool as I am a reiki master)
\-Nijo castle Sakura festival
I would probably switch around plans on the other days as well considering these other options. What are your thoughts?
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Thank you all so much for your help throughout the planning process. Your itineraries, feedback and trip reports have been the most essential part of helping me get this done.
by m_nxx