I’m planning to spend 4 days in Kansai late September on my way back to the US on a work trip in Asia. I’ve done Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Uji, Kobe, Himeji in the past, want to explore some new places in the area, came up with the itinerary below so far:
Day 1: arrive in KIX in early afternoon (I’ll have two luggage with me, one carry-on and one checked), take Haruka express to Osaka. Walk around the city, have dinner. Hotel: Osaka
Day 2: Leave my two luggage at the hotel in Osaka, take only my backpack. Take Shinkansen (I’ll be getting a Kansai-Hiroshima JR pass) to Hiroshima. Spend rest the day exploring the city, check out the peace memorial park, the dome, have okonomiyaki. And maybe do a quick day trip to Saijo for some sake tasting. Hotel: Hiroshima
Day 3: take an early morning ferry to Miyajima, spend the day exploring the island and hike up mt. Misen. Ferry back to Hiroshima late afternoon or early evening. Hotel: Hiroshima
Day 4: Make my way back to Osaka, a few options I’m thinking for this day: a. visit Ōkunoshima (the bunny island) b. Naoshima (art island) c. Arimaosen outside of Kobe…arrive in Osaka late afternoon or early evening. Hotel: Osaka
Day 5: Early morning flight out of Itami to Tokyo to US
Questions for all you Japan experts:
1. Thoughts on my itinerary? Is it doable? Is the right order etc?
2. Any feedback on Day 4? Which option should I go for on my way back to Osaka? Or any other ideas?
by b4bravo0