Hi guys!!
I’m going to Japan on May 2nd, arriving at 9:25pm at Kansai airport. I’m leaving on May 11th at 12:25pm.
I’m looking for some recommendations for Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES AND RESTAURANTS. This is what I have so far: for Osaka, I know I want to go to universal studios (Super Mario World), Dotonbori and cute cafes, such as Pokémon. For Kyoto, I want to go to Nishiki market and Gino district. I also want to go to Nara, to go to the deer park, and try the famous mochi place there. Also, I want to go to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove and togesukyo bridge.
Interests: I really like cute cafes, so that’s why I’m going to the Pokémon cafe. I also love studio Ghibli, so if you guys know any places for Ghibli fans, I would really appreciate it. I would also like to buy some studio Ghibli merch too. Furthermore, I want to try a tea ceremony and I know Kyoto is known for matcha, I want to know where I could go for a matcha tea ceremony, as well as buying high quality matcha to bring back home. I’m also a huge anime fan, so I want to know where I can buy official anime merch. Also, I want to go to a mall to get some makeup, creams, etc or if there’s anywhere else I can get this. In addition, I want to experience “real” onsen, meaning using natural hot springs water. I would also, want to try a omakase restaurant, so any recs would be great too (price point: less than $15,000 yen)
Issues: right now I am having trouble dividing my days. Like I wrote before I am there for 9 full days. I initially wanted to go to Osaka -> Tokyo -> Kyoto, but the transportation time would be around 6-7 hours total and I didn’t want to waste that much time. (Some input on this would be nice). Therefore, I am thinking of just going to Osaka and Kyoto, so I was thinking from May 2nd to 7th (osaka), from May 7th to 9th (Kyoto, including Nara and Arashiyama) and then back to osaka from May 9th to 11th, but I think I would be spending too much time in Osaka, because that would be 6-7 full days in Osaka. I was seeing if I should go to Kinosaki Onsen for one day and stay the night to experience natural hot spring water and maybe go to a ryokan. I’ve been hearing that Kinosaki Onsen is a great place to go to for an onsen experience. I was wondering if it is worth it (because it is 2.5 hours getting there, total time = 5 hours)and any recommendations for Onsens and ryokan in Kinosaki. Or is it better to go to an onsen in Arashiyama because I am already going to be there to see the bamboo grove. Also, I have been hearing Otagi temple is a must see temple in Kyoto, is this true?
Thank you so much guys!!
3 comments
Do you already have your plane tickets? Because if not you can fly into Kansai, and fly out through Narita or Haneda and that would save you a train trip back to Osaka area (or vice versa, fly into Haneda and stay in Tokyo, then fly out of Kansai).
Also, take this with a grain of salt because I haven’t been yet (going in a few weeks), I have heard that two nights in Osaka is likely a good enough amount. Kyoto I could easily spend a whole week in, same with Tokyo. But again, that’s mostly just me. Kyoto is a really nice place to take it easy with lots of history to see. Tokyo is just a ton of fun.
I’m actually staying in Kyoto the whole time I’m in that region and doing a day trip or two to Osaka since it’s only like a half hour train ride. As well as a day trip to places like Kobe and (this will be a packed day) Hiroshima.
I think it’s a good call to just explore Kansai region for the 9 days. You can always supplement it with some day trips or overnight trips to cities like Nara, Kobe, Wakayama, Himeji, or Arima (onsen town).
5.02 Arrival (pick up ic card/passes, go Kyoto)
5.03 – 5.05 Kyoto
5.06 Nara Day Trip then back to Kyoto
5.07 – 5.08 Himeji in the AM then Kinosaki Onsen for overnight stay
5.08 – 5. 11 Osaka
What sim or wifi are you getting for 9 days? My trip is of a similar duration and I can’t figure it out, got any cost effective ideas?