Hi everyone, I have planned out a 14 day trip to Japan in late Jan and early Feb 2023 for 2 persons with flights and accomodations all booked in advance. We would first land in Osaka, then depart to Kanazawa and make our way down south to Kyoto and back to Osaka. I have been to Japan many times previously but mainly to Tokyo only, and I would love the hear your recommendations or advice on the itenerary and what changes or ommisions could be made to make the trip more efficient and enjoyable.
My main concerns for this trip would be the overall time spent travelling within Japan (would it take up too much time during our trip?) and if several places we planned to do day trips from make sense or are worth visiting such as going to Toyama from Kanazawa or visiting Himeji and/or Nara from Osaka. Also, would like to know which temples/shrines are really worth the visit as I think we may not be able to visit all of them during our trip.
**January 30 – Arrival at Osaka**
* Land at KIX around 2pm and head to hotel located near Shin-Osaka St.
* Explore Umeda area, walk around Hankyu Dept. Store and Daimaru
**Januray 31 – Depart to Kanazawa**
* Thunderbird Express to Kanazawa St. (7am-10am)
* Arrive at hotel and head out to Omicho Market for lunch around 11:30am
* 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art at 2:30pm
* Kamu Kanazawa Museum / Kanazawa Castle Park around 4:30pm then dinner at Grill Otsuka
**February 1 – Kanazawa**
* DT Museum and Kenrouken Garden (9am-10:30am)
* Explore Higashi Chaya District (10:30am-12pm) and then have lunch at Kourin Sushi
* Nomura-ke Samurai Residence (1:30pm-2:30pm) and explore Nagamachi Samurai District
* Explore Kanazawa Hyakubangai then dinner at Kuroya
**February 2 – Day trip to Toyama**
* Travel to Himi St. and walk to Himi Fish Market for lunch (11:30am)
* Walk along Amarashi Coast then to Mohijime Park and Iwasakinohana Lighthouse
* Toyama Glass Art Museum (3:30pm-5pm)
* Dinner at Sushi Ei Sogawa then travel back to Kanazawa
**February 3 – Depart to Kyoto**
* Take Thunderbird Express to Kyoto St. (12pm) and arrive at hotel around 3pm
* Relax and head out to dinner at Wajoryomen Sugari around 6pm
**February 4 – Kyoto**
* Head to Kurama Dera Temple and arrive around 9:30am
* 1 hr hike through Kurama-dera Temple Niomon and exit at Kurama West Gate
* Lunch at Hirobun around 11am
* Explore Nishikii Market, Gion District, Hanamikoji St. and Yasaka Shrine (2pm-5:30pm)
* Dinner at Ramen Sen-no Kaze
**February 5 – Kyoto**
* Visit Arashiyama Bamboo, Tenryu-Ji Temple (7:30am-10am)
* Lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura (12pm)
* Visit Kinkakuji Temple, Ryoanji temple (1:30pm-3pm)
* Visit Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley for dinner around 6pm (dinner recommendations?)
**February 6 – Kyoto**
* Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kodaiji Temple, Matsubara Dori St. Kiyomizu Dera Temple (7:30am-12pm)
* Maybe visit Matsui Sake Brewery around 2pm
* Dinner at Kichi-Kichi Omurice (is this worth visiting?)
* Visit Kyoto Tower and do some shopping nearby (recommendations?)
**February 7 – Depart to Osaka**
* Lunch at Tendon Makino Kyoto Teramachi
* Train to Osaka St. and Hotel (2pm-3pm)
* Walk to Tonkatsu Daiki for Dinner and explore Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street (recommendations?)
**February 8 – Osaka**
* Visit Namba Yasak Shrine, Namba HIPS and Namba Parks (8:30am-10am)
* Have lunch around Shinsekai/Tsukenkaku area (recommendations?)
* Walk to Abeno Harukas Observation Deck (1pm-2pm)
* Explore Amerikamura, Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Hozenji Yokocho (2:30pm-5:30pm)
* Dinner at Ikaku Shinsaibashi
**February 9 – Day trip to Himeji**
* Train to Himeji and visit Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Mt. Shosha (worth visiting?) (8am-1pm)
* Lunch at Kassui-Ken then back to Osaka around 3pm-4pm
* Rest at Hotel and head to Umeda Sky Building around 5:30pm-6:30pm
* Dinner at Shabutei Nishi Umeda
**February 10 – Day trip to Minoo Park?**
* Explore Minoo Park and walk to Katsuo-ji Temple (is this area worth visiting during winter?)
* Head to Shanshotei for lunch then to Yamazaki Distillery at 2:40pm-4:30pm
* Back to hotel then dinner at Matsusakgyu Yakiniku (7pm)
* Check out Teamlab Garden around 8:30pm
**February 11 – Day trip to Nara**
* Kofuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple, Nigatsuda Temple
* Lunch at Soba-dokoro Kitahara
* Visit Goto-Chi for some shopping and head back to Osaka
* Dinner recommendations?
**February 12 – Last Day in Osaka**
* Flight at 3pm