Traveling from 24th September to 2nd October! 2 Adults. From Sydney, Aus so not likely any jet lag.
We are prioritising Cultural Sites like Temples and Nature first, tell me if I'm missing any must see places! Some of the itinerary is still a bit vague (especially in Kyoto) so any ideas to flesh it out?
I've left out a few Shrines (Which are best to do?) and I'm not too sold on Arashiyama to be honest. I'm sure I'm missing some big pop culture or museum activities, big fan of anime and video games as well! Obviously can't book anything now though. Also love Art and Design too, anything that scratches those itches would be appreciated!
Day 1 – Osaka
- Land in Osaka at Kansai International at 7:30pm
- Haruka Train to Osaka-Umeda, check in to Hotel in Umeda area
- Nishi-Umeda Train to late dinner & sights in Dotonbori, then back to Hotel for sleep
Day 2 – Osaka
- Take train at 6-7am to Mt Koyasan. (Already got Koyasan Heritage Pass)
- Planning to do Temple Goshuincho, starting with Koyasan, any tips or etiquette to follow?
- Do stuff in Koyasan until 1pm or so, then come back to Osaka in afternoon, explore Umeda shopping or more Dotonbori. (Maybe go to Pokemon Center etc.)
Day 3 – Osaka to Kyoto
- Explore other parts of Osaka, like Nipponbashi, DenDen Town, Shinsekai, Tennoji Park etc. for the rest of the day.
- Going to Kyoto: Taking the Hanku-Kyoto line from Osaka-Umeda at 6pm directly to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, as our hotel is in the Gion Area.
- Explore Gion after Hotel check in at night.
Day 4 – Kyoto
- Nara Deer Park for the day, maybe to up go Wakakusayama Hill?
- Explore Kyoto in the afternoon.
Day 5 – Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning, easy 20min train ride as we are close to Gion-Shijo Station.
- Go to Mt Kurama later in the day for a mountainside temple and away from the crowds.
Day 6 – Kyoto
- Saihoji Temple Reservation in Kyoto at 10:30am.
- ?? Another free slot, no idea what to do after this temple
Day 7 – Kyoto
- Walk to Kiyomizudera Temple from hotel (20min walk) in early morning, then browse Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka.
- ? Is that enough to take up a whole day?
Day 8 – Kyoto
- Get up early and take 203 City Bus to Kinkakuji, then walk the Philosopher's Path all the way to Nanzenji.
Day 9 – Kyoto and going home
- Light walking around Kyoto in morning before checking out of hotel and hopping on the Hanyu-Kyoto line middday to Osaka. Have an early dinner in Osaka before hopping on a Haruka Train to Kansai Airport at 5pm for our 9pm flight departure.
Okay that was less detailed than expected. Any thoughts? Some good shopping shouldn't be amiss either, but I think Umeda is huge enough already… Maybe in Kyoto? Any other interesting smaller Shrines to visit for Goshuincho?
by WolfTitan99