Hey guys! I’m solo travelling to Japan for 12 days (26 Feb – 9 Mar 2023). Unfortunately I will be missing the cherry blossom season but it was my only free time :”)
lol Here is my draft itinerary, any feedback/suggestions/criticism is greatly appreciated :))
26 Feb (Sunday)
Touch down at KIX ~1530
Travel to Kyoto
Evening – ?Shopping (TBD)
Night – Gion + Yasaka shrine
27 Feb (Monday)
Morning – Arashiyama + Fu-Fu-No-Yu onsen
Early afternoon – Kinkaku golden temple
Late afternoon – Nishiki market, explore Teramachi-dori
Evening – Teramachidori
Night – Explore Kyoto station
28 Feb (Tuesday)
Early morning – Fushiminari (2 hours), Kiyomizu-dera temple (7-8am)
Morning – Gion, Kennin-ji temple
Lunch – Travel to Uji & lunch there
Afternoon – Uji
Evening – Uji onsen (any better ones nearby?)
Night – ?Pontocho (TBD)
1 Mar (Wednesday)
Morning – Kinkakuji, Philosopher path +/- Nanzenji temple
Late Morning – Kurama to Kifune hike
Lunch – Hirobun
Early afternoon – Finish up Kurama to Kifune hike
Late afternoon – Shopping for the rest of the day?
2 Mar (Thursday) – JR Pass D1
Early morning – checkout, Train to Tadano-Umi
Morning – Okunoshima island
Noon – Train to Hiroshima, check-in, quick lunch, travel to Miyajima
Afternoon, evening – Miyajima (Omotesando Arcade, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, Mount Misen, Momijidani Park, Senjokaku Pavilion, https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3458_miyajima_full.html)
Night – Travel back to Hiroshima (+/- walk along the Motoyasu river)
3 Mar (Friday) – JR Pass D2
Early morning – reach Onomichi port by 830am
Morning, afternoon – shimanami kaido until Hanaguri-Seto observation deck, before turning back
Evening – travel back to hiroshima,
Night – ?shopping (TBD)
4 Mar (Saturday) – JR Pass D3
Early morning – check out, Shukkeien park
Morning – Hiroshima Peace Memorial museum, Peace park
Noon – travel to Osaka, check in, lunch
Afternoon – travel to Nara, Nara
Evening – Nara
Night – travel back to Osaka, Osaka onsen?
5 Mar (Sunday) – JR Pass D4
Morning – Himeji castle, Kokoen garden
Lunch – Nankin-Machi
Afternoon – Kobe (Nankin-machi, Takenaka Carpenter Tools Museum)
Night – Dotonburi to Shinsaibashi to Ameriacmura walk
6 Mar (Monday) – JR Pass D5 || Nankai Pass D1
Early early morning – Osaka central fish market
Early Morning – Train to Wakayamashi to Kada station
Morning – Tomogashima island
Noon – take 1pm ferry back to Kada port
Lunch at Kada port
Afternoon – head back to Osaka + Denden
Night – Dotonburi again
7 Mar (Tuesday) – Arima onsen package
Morning: Arima Onsen
Lunch: Steakland
Afternoon: Kobe (Nunobiki waterfall +/- Nunobiki spice garden, Kobe earthquake museum at Kobe port)
Evening: Kobe (Harbourland)
Night: Shinsekai street
8 Mar (Wednesday)
Morning: Namba Yasaka shrine, Kuromon Market
Lunch: Kuromon Market
Afternoon: Thrift shopping
Night: Osaka
9 Mar (Thursday) – Nankai Pass D2
Morning: TBD
Afternoon: shop at factory outlet near KIX
KIX by 330
Questions:
1. Is this itinerary feasible? (In particular Okunoshima island + Miyajima in a day)
2. Any attractions I should consider? Especially at night and Kobe
3. Cool shopping places/stores (Especially for thrift shopping)
4. Any good food recommendations that is <15 USD (especially for Kyoto)
Kyoto:
5. Is Sagano scenic railway open at that time and is worth going?
6. The google reviews of Uji onsen is quite iffy, is it good and are there any better ones?
Osaka:
7. When does stuff in Dotonburi start to close
8. I was hoping to go strawberry picking but I can’t seem to find any that are convenient. Do you guys have any recommendations?
9. Any other places to go? I can’t seem to find anything that is very interesting 🙁
10. Osaka onsens/sentos?