First time Japan solo traveler going to Kansai region. Itinerary has been roughed out for a while but would appreciate a last minute review and recommendations. Tried to keep train hopping to a minimum.
Kept food options open and tried not to cram too much into any single day so I could walk around more leisurely.
Staying in Kyoto the whole time near Kyoto station.
KYOTO
Day 1:
- Land at KIX at 7pm
- Get ICOCA / Haruka train pass
- Train to Kyoto station
- Check in to Daiwa Roynet Hotel around 10pm
Day 2 (saturday):
- Bus to Gion around 6-7am
- Kiyomizudera Temple
- Sannenzaka / Ninnenzaka in morning
- Kodai-ji Temple
- Yasaka Shrine
- Maruyama park
- If time, Philosophers path (feasible to walk from Maruyama park?)
Day 3 (sunday):
- JR Nara line to Inari station
- Fushimi Inari hike
- Train back to central Kyoto
- Nishiki Market for lunch
- Nintendo Kyoto / Pokemon Center
- Shopping streets (Shinkyogokyu)
- Pontocho Alley for Dinner
Day 4 (monday):
- JR Sagano train to Arashiyama
- Tenru-ji temple
- Bamboo grove
- Okochi villa
- Gioji temple
- Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
- Lunch
- Not sure how long to spend in Arashiyama, if bamboo'd out, can go back to central Kyoto for dinner?
OSAKA
Day 5 (tues):
- Train to Osaka station
- Pokemon Center / Nintendo Osaka 10am
- Shopping around station, maybe check out 'Grand Green Osaka' park
- loop line to Osaka castle
- lunch nearby
- Train to shin-sibashi station
- Check out shops around (
- Dotombori / America mura for dinner
- Train back to Kyoto
Day 6 (wed):
- Train to Namba station from Kyoto station
- Hozenji Yokocho
- Explore Den-den town (super potato, animate, suragaya)
- Lunch
- Walk south to Minami area for dinner
- Train back to Kyoto
KOBE
Day 7 (thurs):
- Train to Kobe
- train from Shin-kobe station to Arima Onsen Town
- Kin no Yu Onsen and lunch
- train back to Shin-kobe station
- Sannomiya Center Street
- Ikuta Shrine
- Kobe beef place for dinner
- Train back to Kyoto around 8pm
NARA and UJI
Day 8 (Friday):
- Train to Nara in morning
- Deer and Todai-ji temple
- Yoshiki Garden
- Find some Nara strawberries
- Train to Uji
- Lunch and matcha tea
- Byodo-in hall
- Uji Bridge (Asagiri Bridge from Tale of Genji)
- Ujigami Jinja shrine
- Dinner
- Train back to Kyoto
Day 9 (Saturday):
- Check out of Hotel by 10am
- Explore around Kyoto station
- Maybe visit Kyoto tower
- Take Haruka train back to KIX from Kyoto
- Flight leaves at 5pm
by artbystorms