**Hello everyone!**
Me and my boyfriend are traveling to Japan in May, and while I’ve been to Tokyo, neither of us have been to Kyoto, Osaka or Nara, so that’s where we are heading the first part of our trip.
We’re in generally good shape, but I have MS, so I might need a bit more rest than most people, and I try to take that in consideration when planning our trip, but it’s HARD to limit things :’) But we are very flexible and I hope I have done enough research to fit everything together in a way that makes sense and isn’t too stressful.
With this in mind, what do you think of our itinerary?
Please feel free to make any other suggestions and/or changes you would recommend!
Our luggage will be shipped from Haneda to the hotel in Kyoto
and we’re arriving in Kyoto around 2PM .
**5.May, SUNDAY: CENTRAL KYOTO**
* Toji Temple Antique and Handicraft market (Closes 4:30PM)
Toji pagoda and temple
* Maybe I’ll get some nail extensions (book an appointment?)
**6.May, MONDAY: NORTH-EAST KYOTO**
* Depart from hotel at 8AM and take a bus to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple + Jojuin garden
* Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka + Kodaiji Temple (between Kiyomizu-Dera and Yasaka shrine)
* Stop and eat some ramen
* End the evening at the Yasaka shrine (can switch order with Kiyomizu-Dera)
* Maybe get some Gyoza?
**7.May, TUESDAY: WEST KYOTO**
Leave at 8AM and BRING FOOD, since I’ve read that it’s a busy area
* Adashino Nenbutsuji temple + Otagi nenbutsu-ji – *Spend 1-2 hours?*
* Daikaku-ji Temple – *Spend 1-1.5 hours?*
* Sagano/Arashiyama Bamboo forest + Tenryu-ji – *Spend 2 hours?*
* KOKEDERA Moss temple – *Spend 1-1,5 hours?*
**8.May, WEDNESDAY: Nara Park**
* Take either JR Nara Line or Kintetsu Nara Line
* KASUGA TAISHA
* Todai-ji
* Isuien garden
* Hozanji maybe?
**9.May, Thursday: NORTH EAST KYOTO + NORTH WEST KYOTO?**
* Travel to Ginkakuji/ Higashiyama Jisho-ji – *spend 1-2 hours there?*
* Go down philosopher’s path
* Heian Rakuichi Handicraft Market – *spend 1-2 hours?* \- ( I LOVE flea markets and crafts)
* Danno-horinji temple – *spend 1 hour?*
* On the way back to the hotel, stop by some special stores
**10.May, Friday: OSAKA**
* Depart from Kyoto at 0730 AM
* Katsuoji temple – *Spend 1-1,5 hours?*
* Osaka aquarium – maybe in the evening?
* TeamLab Osaka (19-21:30) If not the aquarium in the evening?
**11.May, Saturday: OSAKA**
* Dotonburi
* Hozenji Yokocho
* America-Mura
* Namba Yasaka shrine
**12.May, Sunday: NORTH KYOTO + SOUTH?**
* Kamigamo shrine (has a Sunday market) *Spend 1-2 hours?*
* Maybe take a taxi to Shimogamo?
* Kinkaku-ji – *Spend 2 hours?*
* Walk through Yokai street/ Taishogun Shopping Street – Ichijo Yokai Street
* Hirano shrine – *1-1.5 hours?*
* Hōrinji (Darumadera) Temple – *30 mins?*
MOVE TO TUESDAY MAYBE?
* Byodo-in – *spend 1-2 hours there?*
**13.May, Monday: EAST KYOTO**
* 07AM Go to Fushimi Inari Taisha – *spend 2-2.5 hours there* (OR go in the evening?)
* Walk down to Tōfuku-ji Temple – *spend 1 hour there?*
* TAXI to Kiyomizu-yaki en Sato Museum – *spend 2 hours there?*
(MAYBE FINISH HERE? I read that Shuttlebus to the station is available)
* TAXI to Daigo-ji temple – *spend 1-2 hours?*
* Send our luggage with KuroNeko yamamoto via the convenience store to Hiroshima.
**14.May, Tuesday: LEAVING**
* Check out before 11 AM.
* Do some shopping at Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades
* Travel to Himeji castle (9AM-5PM) and then to the AirBnb in Hiroshima
​
**Questions for you:**
* To some of the activities/plans I’ve added approximate time we’re going to spend there, we’re of course totally flexible if anything lasts longer or shorter, but if you see anything that looks strange or have any idea of the time people usually spend there, please tell.
* Usually we’ll use public transport and walk, and taxis in case I get fatigued. BUT we’re planning on taking taxis a lot on May 13th, since public transport in this area would take a bit too long for us, does anyone have any experience with taxis or taxis in the area?
* Will Byodo-in be too much on Sunday, if so, where would you move this?
* The Osaka aquarium and Fushimi Inari are two activities we can do in the evening, anyone have any recommendation or experience regarding these?
* Any recommendations for places to eat in the different areas?
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us! 🙂
by phiemon