Hi guys, I posted my [2 weeks itinerary](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/1bo9s0u/2_weeks_itinerary/) here before leaving for Japan. We ended up skipping a lot of places due to the slower pace we took and unforseen circumstances. My husband and I decided to just really just enjoy the pace without rushing anything. My actual itinerary may not be for first timers or for anyone who intends to go to several tourist attractions in a day. Truth be told, we skipped a lot of tourist attractions as an intentional excuse to revisit in the future. For those who are interested in my actual itinerary, I hope it helps:-
*(PS: I’ll make a remark where I think the initial plan may have been workable if not for the unforseen circumstances*. *You can have my previous itinerary side by side to do a comparison and fine tune the itinerary for your trip. I will also link the restaurants we’ve been to for ease of reference):*
**11 April -** Smooth transit at Narita Airport and flew in to Itami International Airport. Clearing Customs, collecting baggage took us about 45 minutes. We were at the Osaka Monorail Airport Station at about 8.40pm. Checked in our hotel in Tengachaya at about 9.30pm. We decided to just have dinner at a small family run restaurant nearby (5 minutes walk from hotel). The name of the restaurant is [Kouraku](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eFpqwvpWxoeBsXP57) and its run mainly by father and son. They are extremely friendly and the food was so comforting for our first night. We decided to not get the Amazing Pass as it does not come with a transport pass and the price did not justify as we were not going for tourist attractions.
**12 April -** Woke up at 8.30am and headed to [Kizu Market](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hEN6wGWTa15F9h1s8). You will see a long queue leading to the Seafood Sashimi Don right outside of Kizu Market. I heard if their customers start queuing at about 5.30am just for the don. We were too tired the night before and decided to skip the line and bought some sashimi from inside the market itself. We then went on a shopping walk in Parco Shinsaibashi (anime lovers, 6th floor is where you want to go), Shinsaibashisuji and made our way to Dotonburi. We tried the cream puffs at [Mooken](https://maps.app.goo.gl/r2qfVPwsLc88b6eH8), had the strawberry daifuku in Shinsaibasuji, Takoyaki at [Takoyaki Juhachiban](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uzWU5WzE322Mx5yD6), some mitarashi dango, King Crab Ice Cream, Pudding at [Mattari-Purin](https://maps.app.goo.gl/MyWVQaiYYf2AjoUJ6), [Kinryu Ramen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XNTGqnK2yKDdUce79) and then went to Shinsekai. We wanted to head up Tsutenkaku but we were too late as their last entry was 6.30pm. We then walked back to the hotel, passing by [Mega Don Quijote](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XNTGqnK2yKDdUce79) and decided to do some shopping there.
**13 April-** arrived at Osaka Castle at 8.30am. Had some sandwich from Lawson. Took a stroll in at the perimeter of Osaka Castle where they were having some stalls. Had the 100yen cake there and went into Osaka Castle. As indicated, we didn’t buy the Amazing Pass and we ended up buying the Metro day pass for Osaka (820 yen for weekdays and 620yen for weekends). With the day pass, we got a discount for the entry ticket for Osaka Castle and we skipped the line. We then visited the Hokoku Shrine opposite of the exit of Osaka Castle and had some Sakura Mochi. Then we headed to [Udon Kisuke](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CbGGLxaY2CwJFDpj6) in Umeda for lunch and 2nd round lunch at [Onigiri Gorichan](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2PxFu2Tnb2YepQ5Z9). After lunch, we dropped by Nintendo Store in Umeda and walked around the mall there, We then spent our evening at Yodoboshi and had dinner at [Unagi Kushiyaki Idumo](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vvBgsRCocka79vVD9) *(be there by 8.30pm as you will be denied entry if you can’t get in by 9.30pm)*. We wanted to visit LUCUA but it was closed by the time we arrived so we only ended up having dinner as the basement closes at 11.30pm whilst the shops above close at 8.30pm.
**14 April -** Headed to Shinsaibashi around 10.30am as the croissant shop we wanted to try opens at 11.00am only. We had [Le Croissant](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vhN1MmC8NEukHRqJ9) (make sure you try the ‘Very Egg’). Then we walked to Namba Parks to check out Tower Records. My husband ended up spending some time in a hardware shop as he was fascinated by the range of products they had. We spent our afternoon in Nipponbashi, shop hopping for figurines, 2nd hand electronics etc. Not to forget the 5 stories Tenga shop. I can’t remember what we had for lunch, probably would’ve skipped lunch. Then we did the karting experience (I know I will be criticised for this, but we decided to do it as a one-off thing). After that, we went back to [Namba Meoto Zenzai](https://g.co/kgs/Tz968dy) for dessert. We decided to be adventurous and walked into [Ichimizen](https://g.co/kgs/8ZT3Svj) for dinner before heading back to the hotel to do our laundry.
**15 April -** Caught a train to Himeji Castle. Tried Eki Ben which we bought from Himeji Station. The sakuras were in full bloom so we walked and slowly strolled around Himeji Castle. We also walked aimlessly along the residential area without Google maps and ended up getting lost. LOLX. Passed by a small cafe in a quiet shopping street and tried the Match pie from Lotteria fast food joint before taking a train to Kobe. Visited Chinatown in Kobe but sadly most of the shops were closed. So we had some average tasting Chinese food and headed back to the hotel.
**16 April-** We woke up late due to the fatigue from traveling the night before. Headed to Kobe Beef Kisshokichi (they have several outlets. Its easy to spot as there will be a Spiderman on or in the premise) for lunch. I think we went to the Sannomiya branch where they served Donburi on the 1st floor whilst serving Teppanyaki on the 2nd floor. We then headed to Kobe Maritime Museum. We spent the whole afternoon there as the museum is related to my husband’s line of work. We then walked around Harbourland and went back to Sannomiya for dinner. Had the best ramen in [Gashoken](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KkFAeT7KzhNpEqKq5). *(PS: You can always skip the Maritime museum and head to Kobe Tower and Anpanman Museum instead).*
**17 April-** Caught an early train to Arima Onsen. Stroll along old street in Arima Onsen. Enjoy onsen at Kin no Yu before taking a bus to Kyoto. There is only 2 buses per day to Kyoto and multiple buses to Osaka. I wouldn’t spend a whole day in Arima Onsen unless staying in a Ryokan. Alternatively, you can cover Mount Rokko as well by taking a cable car down from Arima Onsen. We took the day as a chill day after the past few days of hectic moving around. Had dinner in [Yakitori Daikichi](https://g.co/kgs/PwaM3Qk). We stayed around Nijo Castle so it was within 5 minutes walking distance from our hotel.
**18 April-** There is no day pass in Kyoto so we moved around Kyoto mostly on foot. Had some Onigiri from [Onimaru](https://g.co/kgs/hzqRJZ6) for breakfast. The miso soup was outstanding, the soup base was so sweet. Then we walked to Gion as we had an appointment at [My Only Fragrance](https://g.co/kgs/hzqRJZ6) near Kiyomizudera where we bought our custom made perfume. Visited Yasaka Jinja afterwards and walked to [Maikoya](https://g.co/kgs/xb927nY) for our Tea Ceremony at 1.30pm. Along the way, we tried Kyoto Coffee and had some street snacks sold along Gion. After our Tea Ceremony, we headed back to Kiyomizudera Temple and had dinner at [a small Izakaya](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NDWFQdn1RFZYCoHRA) tucked in a small alley. The izakaya was run by an elderly couple and can only fit 10 people at best. The food wasn’t outstanding but it’s very homey and comforting to have.
**19 April-** Did a morning run around the perimeter of Nijo Castle. Then head back to the hotel for quick shower before heading to Uji for a day trip. We wandered around only with a local tour map available for free at the train station. *\[PS: Use Google Maps instead to check out nearby attractions. I realised we missed out quite a number of places only after we came back from Japan\]* The only place we had planned was [Ito Kyuemon](https://g.co/kgs/dkDbKDU) where we tried the Match Curry and Matcha Parfait. Then we just took a stroll along the river bank of Uji River and ended up in Ujikami Shrine. *\[PS: Do visit the Tale of Genji Museum which is located 5 minutes from Ujikami Shrine\].* We then walked across to the other side of the river bank and sat there for 30 minutes or so, enjoying the scenery, quietness and weather. You can check out Byodo-in as well when you’re there. We then headed back to Shijo Kyoto for dinner. My husband wanted rice so we ended up in [Niku Shokudo](https://g.co/kgs/4fuFGBZ). The food was amazing and the portion was huge for us. Do give it a shot when you’re there.
**20 April-** Started the day with a hike to the peak of Fushimi Inari, We arrived slightly later as we overslept on that day. We reached the summit at around 12.00pm only and back at the entrance at about 1.00pm. We were so hungry and just bought some street snacks right outside of Fushimi Inari. By then it was 2.00pm and we decided to check out the Sake Village in Fushimi. I was expecting a museum but it turned out to be an izakaya so we skipped ahead and checked out Otesuji Shopping Street before heading to [Gekkeikan Sake Museum](https://g.co/kgs/VEWhLP6). We didn’t make any reservation and was just trying our luck to get into the tour. The tour was 600yen per person and you get a small sake cup as souvenir and 2 tasting of sake for free. We ended the night at Niku Shokudo again as my husband was craving for their Oyako Don. We then did some small shopping in Daimaru Kyoto before they close at 7.30pm.
**21 April -** Checked out the shopping street near the hotel and found this [Creme Bulee Donut shop](https://g.co/kgs/gxMVBzo) by chance *(PS: Do give it a try if you’re nearby, they make the donuts on the spot so it was really good)*. We then rented a bicycle and headed to Toji Temple for the Kobo-ichi Flea Market. The rain started falling by then but it got heavier subsequently. Got wet in the rain as we were cycling back to Mikane Jinja so after doing a quick prayer, we decided to stop by Kyoto International Manga Museum and wait for the rain to subside. Sadly, the rain went on so we returned the bicycle at a nearby port in Sanjo station (we used Kotobike to rent the bike). Whilst we were walking to the port, we also checked out [Gariguette Kyoto](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wRdiJ2LyKMC8ENVz7). Our day was severely disrupted by the rain and we were heavy hearted to go back to the hotel at 7.00pm. My husband was looking for a stamp book as his was finishing so we dropped by Book Off in Sanjo, thinking that it was a book shop. Only to realise that its more than that.
**22 April-** This is a day we gave up on all our itineraries in Kyoto due to uncertainty in weather. We walked out of the hotel seeing heavy clouds so decided to again travel around Kyoto on foot. We also called off Amanohashidate and Ine as we were uncertain if its going to rain. *\[PS: Turns out it was only cloudy the whole day =( \]* We visited Go-o Shrine and wanted to head to the Samurai Museum since we can’t be certain about the weather. Of course, we didn’t manage to visit the Samurai Museum because we got distracted by the food, beer and stuff in Nishiki Market. *(PS: There’s a shop in Nishiki market that sells Anko Butter Taiyaki, oh my goodness!)* We ended up walking out of Nishiki market at about 5.30pm and not sure if there’s enough time to spend in the Samurai Museum. So we headed back to Shijo as my husband wanted to get a gift for his mom for mother’s day and for dinner at [Mensho Takamatsu](https://g.co/kgs/uKMwnJ8). *\[PS: Amanohashidate is workable as a day trip but transportation is a bit more problematic. Alternatively, you can do Biwa Lake as a day trip. We did neither due to weather condition\]*
**23 April -** We both fell sick on this day. Had to call off our morning run. We headed to Arashiyama but ended up missing the Sagano scenic Train by 2 minutes. So we just had lunch in Aramashiyama and went over to Togetsukyo Bridge and Monkey Park. BY the time we came down from the Monkey Park, it was already 3.00pm and we decided to just had some street snacks along Katsura River and headed back to the hotel. Had convenience store dinner after we threw our laundry into the wash as we were too sick to continue our journey.
**24 April -** took a train to Nara. First stop was the tourist information counter. The staff were really friendly and they gave us a map and told us how to go about. Had freshly made mochi in [Nakatanidou](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tuVPPWU9hDA6CfwK9) and curry rice at [Spice Kitchen Labo](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQ9hqHVaRLbZuRCm8). Checked out the shopping streets before we head to Nara Park, Todai ji and the Botanical Garden. There was a Wisteria Exhibition going on at the time so we checked that out as well. After Nara, we headed back to Osaka and had Omurice at [Hokkyokusei](https://g.co/kgs/cHDU1FE) \[*I wanted* [*Kaettekita Miyatamenji*](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yqgyGfP5mZrgFcAk9) *but when I was there, there’s a notice stating that they were temporarily closed due to shortage of staff. Maybe you guys can try it out\]*
**25 April -** We cancelled our trip to Wakayama and spent a whole day in Osaka shopping and revisiting the shops we wanted before leaving Japan.
**26 April -** Checked out at 11am and had brunch in a [Sandwich shop ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jgMwZ9tzsLmxdQiT8)nearby our hotel before heading to Suita to visit the Asahi Beer Museum *(Reservation can be made in advance by calling or online)*. 1000 yen per pax, 1 hr 30 mins factory tour and you get a beer mug as souvenir and 2 glasses of beer tasting for free. We then head to Itami Airport and ended our trip.
There has been major change to our initial itinerary but like I say, I’ve been to Osaka and Kyoto before and my husband is not really a tourist attraction person. We were there mainly for the food and to shop whilst experiencing the culture and the people. I missed on the bookings for Yamazaki Whiskey Factory (by lottery), Pokemon Centre (the reservations were all snatched in 15 minutes). I hope you find some guidance in this itinerary and hopes this helps in your planning. CHEERS!
by jzivy