Hello! I have been lurking here for months and using all of your awesome advice to help with my family’s upcoming bucket list Japan trip (June 7-21).
June 7-15-Tokyo (I have our itinerary pretty well mapped out for this part of the trip.)
June 15-19-Kyoto (with partial day trip to Nara, and evening trip to Osaka)
June 19-21-Tokyo Disneyland (partial day), Disney Sea, heading back to airport and then home on the 21st.
**I’m having some trouble with the Kyoto part of our trip.** We had initially booked 2 nights in Kyoto and 2 nights in Osaka, but ended up feeling like that was going to be a lot of hotel hopping. We were spending so much time in Tokyo, we wanted more time in a different kind of environment. So, we nixed staying in Osaka, and we are staying at the Ritz in Kyoto all 4 nights. Woo! But it’s really only 3 1/2 days, and with Nara and Osaka, there really isn’t that much time in Kyoto.
We know we want to take a half day trip to Nara to see the deer. And we want to go to Osaka one night to see Dontonbori. I am having temple/shrine overload from all of the guides.
**June 15 (partial day) Maybe Gion at night?**
**June 16-Fushimi Inari (everyone says do early or late)**
**June 17-Half day trip to Nara,**
**June 18-Arashiyama bamboo grove and monkey park, evening in Osaka in Dontonbori**
I had a bunch of temples and shrines on my potential list, also Nishiki Market, Philosopher’s Path, Higashiyama district. I have looked at so many guides, I’m overwhelmed. So, I’m asking the hive mind. With a timeline like this, what else would you recommend? Would you keep this order? I think we would most like to experience the atmosphere in Kyoto and not be running around to 15 different places in one day. I also know it’s the rainy season, which could make getting around a little more difficult/yucky. I think we’d rather see fewer temples and have a good experience than try to pack so much in, it’s not fun. And that’s what is giving me trouble.
We also tend to like quirky things. Thanks so much if you have any suggestions.
1 comment
Honestly, I would skip Osaka, especially if you are only going to Dontonbori. It is a great place to get food, but I don’t think it is worth traveling that far just for that. If you around the Arashiyama area, check out the otagi nenbutsu-ji and tenryu-ji temple. Gio ji temple and moss garden is also worth visiting.