(Note to admins: I messed up the title of my post, reposting if that’s ok!)
Hey all! After having my post rejected the first time, I worked out the details of our plans for Japan **this fall 2023 in late November**. I’d love an expert eye over just the first week of our trip, since that part’s a bit packed + I know this is prime autumn leaves-viewing time + we plan to take it light and easy once we hit Tokyo (a full 2 weeks to slowly explore and take day trips).
My partner and I are super active and can take on packed days/lots of walking, as long as we have planned breaks time to time. In Kyoto, we’re open to taking the subway, biking or taking taxi. Would ideally avoid buses after hearing how crammed they get.
Without further ado, thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations you may have! 🙂 In particular we’re looking for:
* Route tweaks/suggestions
* Food/dessert/coffee suggestions near the places we’re visiting, we’re fans of Michelin Bib Gourmand, Tabelog, and Eater; willing to splurge a bit if it’s high quality and supremely delicious.
* Shops for mid-priced accessories and artisan goods in Kyoto, we found “Ichizawa Hanpu” which we’ll definitely check out.
* Recommendations on what day makes most sense to do a kimono rental for obligatory phone photoshoot, and in Nara or Kyoto. Would doing it on a weekend be a terrible idea?
* Do we need to see Kiyomizu Dera at day AND night? The Jojuin Moon garden makes us feel like we should also go at night, but don’t know if it’s worth it…
* Between the bamboo forest of Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and Kodaiji, which one is more impressive? (Trying to steer clear of the insane Arashiyama one…)
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**SAT – OSAKA -> NAOSHIMA**
* Land in Kansai International at around noon
* Pick up pocket wifi, rail passes, send luggage to our KYOTO hotel
* Take the train to Naoshima, with the option of stopping at Shin-Osaka for okonomiyaki, small snacks and any needed toiletries.
**SUN – NAOSHIMA**
It’s a tough feat, but we want to try and hit ALL the galleries in one day, since most of them are closed MON and I’ve heard the galleries are quite small. Don’t worry, we don’t really get jet lag cause we can’t fall sleep on flights. We’ll be e-biking, bikes delivered to hotel. Otherwise, here’s our estimated sched:
* 8AM – Benesse Museum and Vallery Gallery
* 10AM – Lee Ufan
* 11AM – Hiroshi Sugimoto Time Corridor
* 11:30AM – Head to east side to visit Art House Minamidera, Go-o, Gokaisho (these close at 1PM), The Water and Naoshima Hall
* 2PM – Art House Kadoya, Ishibashi, Haisha (closing at 4PM)
* 3:30PM – Ando Museum (closing at 4:30PM)
* 5PM – Chichu Museum (closing at 6PM)
* If we really need, Benesse is open until 8PM
* Collapse in our beds, phew!
**MON – NAOSHIMA -> TAKAMATSU – > HIMEJI -> KYOTO**
* Leave bikes at hotel, catch the earliest ferry to Takamatsu for Ritsurin Gardens
* Take the train to reach and explore Himeji Castle
* Check into our Gion hotel in Kyoto eventually, free time
* Kiyomizu Dera’s Jojuin Moon Garden night viewing
**TUES – KYOTO (Higashiyama)**
* Take it slow, meandering Shinkyogoku, Nishiki Market and Teramachidori
* Visit the Toji Temple market (don’t worry, we checked that it’ll be open on this day)
* Take a peek at Ishibei Koji
* Gion Corner show
* Stroll along Pontocho/Kiyamachi and have a drink or so
**WED – KYOTO (Arashiyama)**
* Head over for 8AM to see Togetsukyo Bridge and Kimono Forest
* Monkey Park to make it for the 10:30AM feeding time
* Adashino and (if we have the energy) Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
* Saga Toriimoto Street
* Yusaitei viewing (any time of day that makes most sense?)
* Head back to do Eikan-do night viewing (would you do this temple or Kodaiji illumination?)
**THURS – NARA**
(NOTE: we also have the option to do Fushimi Inari another day, and instead go to Osaka in the evening after Nara, to eat at Dotonbori and see the TeamLabs garden. Too rushed? Is it worth it?)
* Get to Todaiji for 10AM
* Visit the Nakatanidou shop and stroll around
* Kasuga Taisha
* Deers, of course!
* Manyo Botanical Gardens
* Stop by Fushini Inari on the way back to Kyoto, walk up (Better to go at sunset, or night?)
**FRI – KYOTO (Northwest / Northern Hirashiyama)**
(NOTE: on this day, apparently it’s a public holiday in Japan – oops. Are these places smart choices? Should we adjust the timing of anything?)
* Ryoanji Temple at 8AM
* Ginkakuji
* Kamigamo Shrine to see the Yoroi Kizome-Shiki at 1PM
* Philosopher’s Path
* A dinner reservation at Monk (my partner’s single wish)
* Kodaiji illumination at night (if it’s worth seeing…?)
**SAT – KYOTO (Higashiyama p2) -> TOKYO**
* Get to Kiyomizu Dera (to see it during the day) for 6:30AM and walk around
* Do a kimono rental right when the kimono shop opens at 9AM
* Stroll around Sanneizaka and Ninneizaka
* Head to Tokyo!
What do you think? Is it reasonable enough of a plan? Your thoughts are super appreciated! Thanks again. 🙂
1 comment
> Fushimi Inari
It starts getting dark around 4:30pm in November, considering all the other things in Nara it’ll probably be close to dark by the time you get here. In any case I think it is better during the day and would rather do it first thing in the morning
> Kimono Forest
It is much much more charming after dark. During the day it is just a bunch of poles with a lot of people. And in any case only takes 10 minutes to finish seeing.
> Take a peek at Ishibei Koji
just do this on the last day, it’s better photo-taking than Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka anyway (somewhat less crowded)
> bamboo forest of Adashino Nenbutsu-ji and Kodaiji
They’re both “close enough” to not have the bamboo be the determining factor for visiting one/both/neither
> Do we need to see Kiyomizu Dera at day AND night
How easily do you get templed out? The issue of everything starting to “look the same” will also apply to night illuminations, so if you think you might be prone to this then it could be worth maximizing the unique number of temples visited (day or night).