Itinerary Check – 12 Days in June – Tokyo, Kumano Kodo, Kyoto

Hello all! Headed to Japan with my partner on my second visit and her first. We're very interested in gardens, spiritual activities, cultural events, food and drink, shopping for ceramics and other crafts, and, in general, exploring off-the-beaten path areas.

High-level questions:

1. Is there anything near us (shops, restaurants, town, etc) that you think we should consider visiting based on our interest?

2. Are there are places on the Nakahechi trail that you'd encourage spending a bit of time at? We'll be on a fast pace, but want to be mindful of places where we may want to stop.

3. We don't have many food reservations in Kyoto. Is that a bad idea? What areas can we go to at night and have a good set of options that we'd be able to walk into?

4. How would you spend 8 hours in Osaka?

Thanks for your help!

Tokyo

Day 1: Arrive 3:20pm, check in to hotel in Chiyoda City

Day 2: Dinner at MAZ

Day 3:

• Borderless at 1030am

• Dinner at Butagami

Day 4: Lunch at Ebisu Endo

Day 5:

• Train from Tokyo to Kyoto, drop off main bags at hotel near Nijo Castle, eat lunch (no plans of of now?)

• Train from Kyoto to Kii Tanabe, taxi pickup to hotel near Kumano Kodo Trailhead

Kumano Kodo

Day 6: Hike to Tsugizakura

Day 7: Hike to Hongu

Day 8:

• visit Yunomine Onsen

• bus to Shingu

• pickup rental car and drive to Koyasan

Day 9:

• explore Koyasan

• drive to Kyoto, drop off rental car, check-in to hotel near Nijo Castle

• lunch at Juu-go

Kyoto

Day 10: Afternoon visit to Katsura Imperial Villa

Day 11: Morning visit to Saihoji (moss garden)

Day 12: Train to Osaka, ?

Day 13: Fly home