My aims I live on the West Coast, btw. I am very interested in pre-Tokugawa history, e.g. Heian Period, Genpei War, Warring States. Less interested in more modern buildings. Somewhat interested in nature, like waterfalls or forests, but would prefer to see an example of each versus going to multiple waterfalls or forests. I am not at all into nightlife, like bars, pubs, nightclubs, etc.
Day 1: Fly into Osaka (AFAIK, there's no direct flight to Kyoto)
Day 2-4: Kyoto (can mix and match, meaning Day 3 can swap with Day 4 depending on weather, etc.)
- Day 2: Himeji castle
- Day 3: Gion: Gion + Yasaka Shrine + Kodai-Ji (bamboo garden) + Heian Shrine + Kyoto Imperial Palace (This seems very busy, any one of these you would recommend cutting? I want to see Yasaka Shrine because Heike Monogatari starts with talking about the bells of Gion, which I think is that Shrine. I also am going to Kodai-Ji in lieu of Arishiyama Forest)
- Day 4: Fushimi Inari + Kiyomizu or Tokufuji (Any recommendation as to which to go)
Day 5-6: Nagoya
- Day 5: LEGOland (huge LEGO fan)
- Day 6: Nagoya Castle, Atsuta shrine, and various landmarks (Any recommendations for other places in Nagoya to check out)
Day 7-8: Osaka
- Day 8: Osaka castle
- Day 9: various (Any recommendations for other things to see in Osaka? Many of the buildings seem to be newer, hence I have less interest in them, see above), leave
Day 10: recuperate
by tinyraccoon