Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read this and give advice. I made a previous post about my first week in Japan in tokyo. We will end off in Hakone. I’m really just looking for advice on how realistic doing all these on their days are, and if theres any caveats about things I should know. FYI we are a group of 4. Also will our plan to sleep at the airport work or will they turn us away? Any ideas for Nara or Amanohashidate? Thank you!
Thu 6/15 – Kyoto
– Leave from Mount View Hakone ryokan, ride train from Odawara to Jūjō station.
– Check into kyoto airbnb and drop off luggage (check in after 3pm)
– Go to Kiyomizu-dera and explore the town around it
– Return home
Fri 6/16 – Kyoto 2
– as early as possible go to Arashiyama bamboo forest
– Walk through forest to Tenryuji temple
– Walk to the Monkey park
– Depending on time after monkeys, hike to the Senkōji temple
– After those things, depending on time we may try to fit Fushimi Inari or Kinkakuji. If not, we’ll do it on a spare day.
Sat 6/17 – Kyoto 3 spare day
– Do any left over things such as fushimi inari or kinkakuji
– Try one of those samurai experiences
– We are considering a beach trip, Amanohashidate seems very beautiful but we aren’t sure if itd be worth the 3hr train one way.
– Also considering Lake Biwa for the views and beach
Sun 6/18 – Osaka
– Leave kyoto Airbnb and go to our Osaka airbnb. They say we can drop off luggage before checkin (which is late at 4pm), but if we determine we dont want to leave our stuff unattended, we will take our luggage with us to the Kaiyukan Aquarium where we will purchase a coin locker.
– After aquarium, Kuchu Teien observatory, at sunset if we can
– Dotonbori and Shinsaibashisuji at night and enjoy the food, shopping, etc.
6/19 – USJ
– whole day will be saved for universal studios japan. We plan to get there early before they open. Our main goal is nintendo world.
6/20 – extra Osaka day/last day
– Chill and do any left over things, definitely want to go to Osaka Castle
– Considering a day trip to Nara, any suggestions?
– At end of the day, we will go to the Kansai airport and intend to stay the night here before our flight at 7am.
3 comments
hi!
I’m not sure how much of Kiyomizudera you are going to be seeing if you are not leaving to go there until after 3:00 pm (Since that is your check in time at your AirBnB and if you don’t check in there you will need to find a luggage place in Kyoto Station, and that late in the day I think finding a locker, let alone 4 will be a challenge.)
Though it is going to be hot and humid it might make sense to walk to Fushimi Inari (about 2 kms away and visit there on arrival since it is not likely to be any less crowded on the day you go to Arashiyama. You could also take a cab, it shouldn’t be so expensive (like 1000 yen.) But it also partially depends on where your AirBnB is compared to Jujo Station (and which Jujo Station!) Just be aware it will be hot and humid since you are going in June (or possibly raining) and Fushimi Inari can get very crowded and be really hot.
I would even suggest though it is much further by bus, going to Kinkakuji on arrival, because it is easier to only spend only 1 hour there, than have more limited time in the Kiyomizudera, though honestly I would probably try to go to Fushimi Inari since it has no closing time.
Also be aware there are two unconnected Jujo Stations in Kyoto. One is on the Kintetsu line and the other is off the Karasuma subway line. Your AirBnb could be between them both but you should know which one is closer to your AirBnB.
And yeah, I think planning a day trip to Amanohashidate pretty much erases anything else you are considering for that day because it’s just a long and only so frequent trip. It also gives you the opportunity to see more of Kyoto, if you like it because you currently only have 1 full day there planned.
Osaka Castle is mostly interesting if you’re really into the history of the Siege of Osaka castle because it’s a concrete reconstruction with a completely modern interior. However, if you’re interested in the Siege of Osaka Castle it’s a great museum dedicated to that.
Good luck!
I just went. This itinerary is doable except for Fushimi inari. Push that to the next day. Spend the day in arashiyama and enjoy it.
Kiyomizudera can be done at the time but all the shops closeby will be closed around 430. I suggest trying to get there earlier.
I’d suggest if possible finding lockers first at Kyoto station and putting luggage there. There should be space available given that its a Thursday and the start of the commuter rush going home. From there take the JR train to Fushimi Inari as the station is literally right in front of the shrine complex. As for sightseeing Osaka Castle, I always tell folks to skip it and head to Himeji Castle instead. Its about 30 minutes away on either the JR or Sanyo/Hanshin rail lines. Himeji is considered the grandest of all the castles in Japan. Osaka Castle does have a bit more to do inside. For Day 3 I’d either stay in Kyoto or travel to Nara. Its easier to get to Nara from Kyoto than from Osaka as you have 2 direct train lines going there.