Hi guys, I’m thinking of travelling with my dad to Hyogo area for about 10 days in the first week of Jan. I’m having a bit of trouble gauging how far South we might want to go. We are going to avoid Kyoto and Nara, since we’ve been there before.
We will be landing at KIX at around 8am
Some places we are considering (! means must go for us, ? means we think its a bit too ambitious) :
Osaka! (2 or 3 days)
We are landing there, so of course we will be spending a few nights. The thing is I (without my dad) have already very briefly visited some of the high tourist traffic areas, and are wondering if there are any more hidden gems somewhere. Probably would still visit the touristy areas.
* Osaka Aquarium
* Osaka Castle (I have visited before)
* Minami District
* Dotonbori
* Hozenji Yokocho?
* Doguyasuji Arcade? (my dad likes to cook)
Hiroshima? (2 days)
We heard some cool history-related stuff about Hiroshima, which my dad is quite interested in, so we were considering going Hiroshima.
* Atomic Bomb Dome
* Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum
* Shukkeien Garden? (would be winter though, IDK whether it’s worth going)
* Peace Pagoda?
* Miyajima
* Senjokaku Pavilion
* Itsukushima Shrine
* Mount Misen
* Mitakidera Temple?
Kobe! (2 days)
I have a friend living in Kobe, so we want to spend a few days to catch up. This one needs no planning.
Okayama (1 day?)
I heard nice things about Kurashiki, but we aren’t very sure about whether it is worth staying overnight. Maybe should just stop by for a few hours
I’m open to suggestions about places to visit; where I should spend longer, etc. I do like hiking/climbing mountains (but my dad is aging, so might need to play by ear), and we are quite into historical/cultural experience.
Thanks for the suggestions in advance
3 comments
Then you should ask nicely… and put in some damn effort first instead of just expecting strangers on the internet to do all your work for you
Hi!
This is quite possibly some of the weirdest phrasing I have ever seen:
*We heard some cool history-related stuff about Hiroshima, which my dad is quite interested in, so we were considering going Hiroshima.*
However, ignoring your phrasing…
If you are arriving on 1/1/2024, a lot is going to be closed, even in Osaka. I would spend some time looking at closing dates from 2022-2023 to get some idea of 2024, since if you arrive 1/1/24 a lot still might be closed on 1/2 and 1/3, and yes even in Osaka things close.
If you were thinking post January 5th for starting your trip that will help.
Okayama has a beautiful garden and in January the camellias should be in bloom. It also has a short but pleasant bicycle ride on the Kibi Plain.
Outside of Osaka, you could visit Sakai, which is famous for its knives, since you mention and interest in cooking and culture.
Since you mentioned liking history, I am surprised you don’t have Himeji.
While it’s East of Osaka, I keep wanting to make it to Sekigahara.
Koyasan is a day trip from Osaka and during that time of year should be less busy. I really enjoy it there.