I am looking for guidance on our itinerary for Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Himeji July 14-18th. We have the JR pass, by the way and will stay near the Imperial Palace in Kyoto if we use Kyoto as homebase.
14th– **Kyoto and Nara:**
leave Tokyo early,
arrive in Kyoto (staying near imperial palace)
drop bags at hotel, grab lunch near Nishiki market
Train to to Nara
\-see deer, temples and mochi
Train to Kyoto
Fishimi Inari in early evening.
Check out floats and festival at night.
15th–**Himeji:**
train to Himeji in the morning (try to catch English tour at 10AM)
\-See Castle and Gardens.
Train to Osaka for afternoon/evening.
See as much as possible of:
Shinsaibashi street
Dotonbori
Shineskai
Kuromon market
Amerikamura
Osaka castle
16th– **Arashiyama:**
Early train to Arashiyama
Monkeys
Bamboo Forest
Bridge
Find good tofu
Back to Kyoto to explore floats and festival in the evening in Kyoto
17th– **Kyoto and Osaka:**
parade in the morning
Train to Osaka
\-Maybe aquarium
\-Castle if we missed it earlier
\-Market again?
18th– **Back to Tokyo:** any last things we missed in Kyoto and back to Tokyo.
Originally, I had planned for Osaka as our homebase, as Kyoto looked quiet at night. But, given the festival, I think Kyoto makes more sense.
Has anyone done Gion Matsuri? Worth attending evening festivals more than one night? Has anyone seen the houses they families open? Is that okay for Westerners to explore as well?
Also– we have 4 in our group– 2 youngish teens and their parents. 2 vegetarian and 2 non-vegetarian, if you have any good recommendations as well! Thank you!!
1 comment
This is way too rushed.
I would either scrap Himeji OR skip Osaka Castle and the Osaka day trip on the 17th. Then redistribute your Kyoto attractions to leave some breathing room.