Kyoto/Osaka July 2024 – Itinerary Check

I (29M) & my gf (30F) will be visiting Kyoto & Osaka next week. This is the first time I planned trip this detailed. Would appreciate it if you folks could review this. Hopefully this will be practical? Thank you.

General Idea: 

• This itinerary accidentally covers both festivals in Kyoto & Osaka so I planned around it. 
• The plan is packed (imo), but I’m prepared to cut something out if we are tired or bored. 
• I did almost none research on restaurants, but I will just look around for some nice places on the street or will just enjoy street food. 
• My gf will bring huge luggage for her stuff & shopping so I’m prepared to do luggage forwarding.
• Would love to try Onsen bath but not sure if that can be enjoyable in summer? 
• It’s summer so umbrellas, water bottles, comfortable outfits will be a must.

TUE 16/07 — Arrive at KIX at 10am, take Haruka Express to Kyoto Station, drop luggage at our hotel nearby, find lunch, view Kyoto from Nidec Kyoto Tower, visit Higashi Hongan-ji, visit Nijo Castle, explore yoiyama & find dinner on Shijo-dori.

WED 17/07 — Start at 8am, wait to watch Gion Matsuri parade at Shijo-Kawaramachi til late morning, visit Kyoto-Gyoen, find lunch, Heian-jinku shrine, rent yukata, explore Gion district & find dinner. visit Yasaka-jinja & Maruyama Park

THU 18/07 — Start at 7am, Visit Fushimi Inari til late morning, then visit Kiyomizu-dera, explore Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka, find lunch in the area, visit Kodai-ji, visit Chion-in, then visit Nishiki Market for food & dinner.

FRI 19/07 — Start at 8am, Rent bike near Higashiyama station, visit Heian-jingu, visit Nanzen-ji, visit Eikan-Do, walk along Philosopher’s Path, visit Honen-in, visit Ginkaku-ji, Find lunch, stroll to Demachiyanagi, visit Shigomoto-jinja, Return bike, visit Demachi-futaba & find dinner

SAT 20/07 — Start at 8am, Checkout & forward luggage to Osaka, Take Haruka Express to Tennoji, Explore Shinsekai & view Osaka from Tsutenkaku, Explore Den Den Town, Explore Kuromon Market, Explore Dotonburi, Relax after almost a week of Kyoto.

SUN 21/07 — Start at 8am, Visit Expo’70 Park & the Expocity nearby.

MON 22/07 — Start at 7am, Visit USJ, No express passes though 🥲.

TUE 23/07 — Start at 10am. Visit Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Visit Kaiyukan Aquarium, Visit teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka.

WED 24/07 — Start at 8am, Get a JR West day pass, Take Special Rapid to Himeji, Visit Engyoji, Visit Himeji Castle, Visit Kobe before going back to Osaka.

THU 25/07 — Start at 10am, explore Tenjin Matsuri. Don’t know what to expect here yet but I guess we will know it if we are there. Hopefully will see fireworks.

FRI 26/07 — Start at 10am, checkout & forward luggage to KIX, free day for shopping & relax.