Hi all! Been lurking here for quite some time and have tried to come out with hopefully a relaxed enough itinerary.
We’re a couple in our late 20s.
1st time to visit in the autumn season (have never experienced autumn either) and a must for us to go for the night illuminations in November.
Trying to make it a semi-relaxed trip to just soak in Japan in the Autumn season haha.
Also, my main priority is to not visit super touristy areas such as Ginkakuji Temple as the crowd just does not do it for me and also have been there before and think that there are even prettier or similar temples/shrines that looks pretty in the autumn as well.
Able to know which part of my trip is the autumn at its peak in the Kansai region? I’ve researched and many say late November but I’m not very sure as i would like to see Bishamon-do and Eikando (Night Illumination) at their best as much as possible.
Thank you in advance!
Day 1/12 Nov/Sun: (Rest day) – Using 2 day JR West Kansai Pass here
– Reach KIX in the late afternoon
– Check in #1 accomm (accommodation) [15mins walk from Shin-Osaka stn]
– Grab small bite
– Head to Osaka Team Lab, slot at 7PM
– Eat dinner nearby
– Head back #1 accomm
Day 2/13 Nov/Mon: [Himeji Day Trip]
– Day trip to Himeji, visit Himeji Castle
– (Himeji) Koko-en
– (Kobe) Maiko Marine Promenade
– (Kobe) Nunobiki Garden
– Head back #1 accomm
Any reco to eat at Himeji/Kobe or any other location to visit?
Day 3/14 Nov/Tues: [Osaka]
– Kuromon Market <10am to avoid crowd
– Namba Yasaka Shrine
– Go for a 3hrs food tour in Osaka from 4:30-7pm (somewhr in dotonbori)
– Visit nearby Don Quijote
– Visit Taito Station for arcade time since it closes late
– Head back to #1 accomm
Day 4/15 Nov/Wed: [Central Kyoto]
– Check out #1 accomm
– Check in #2 accomm [walking distance to Njio Castle]
– Explore Gion/Yasaka shrine
– Maruyama Park
– Head back to #2 accomm
Day 5/16 Nov/Thurs: [Uji,Nara]
– Nishiki Market Or Teramachi Shopping Street for breakfast before 11am to avoid crowd
– [Optional] Day trip to Uji (Matcha lover and heard to head here first as shops close early?)
– Head to Nara
– Nakatanido
– Roam around in Nara to see deers
– Ukimido
– Nakatanido once more
– Head back to #2 accomm
Day 6/17 Nov/Fri: [North Kyoto]
– Check out #2 accomm
– Check in #3 accomm (Kita Ward, a little bit secluded but pretty area)
– Explore area near #3 accomm (evening)
Day 7/18 Nov/Sat: [North Kyoto]
– Explore area near #3 accomm (morning)
– Sanzen-in Temple
– Head back to #3 accomm
Day 8/19 Nov/Sun: [North Kyoto]
– Head to Kifune Jinja and hike
– Head back to #3 accomms
Day 9/20 Nov/Mon: [Kinosaki Onsen] – Using 5 Day JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass here
– Check out #3 accomm
– Head to Kinosaki Onsen
– Check in #4 accomm
– Onsen onsen onsen + stroll (Ryokan has private ones too)
– Dinner at #4 accomm
Day 10/21 Nov/Tues: [Kinosaki Onsen]
– Breakfast at #4 accomm
– Day trip to Amanohashidate Chairlift and Monorail (possible?)
– Onsen if there’s still time remaining
– Dinner at #4 accomm
Day 11/22 Nov/Wed: [Central Kyoto]
– Breakfast at #4 accomm
– Head back to Kyoto
– Drop luggage/check in #5 accomm (walking distance to Heian Shrine)
– Kimono Rental
– Philosopher’s Path
– Eikando Temple Day
– Dinner nearby there (any recommendations?)
– Eikando Temple Night illumination (enter by 8:15pm to avoid earlier crowd)
– Head back to #5 accomm
Day 12/23 Nov/Thurs: [Arashiyama]
– Breakfast nearby #5 accomm or eat on the way
– Head to Saga Torokko station to board the Sagano Train (1102) to Kameoka Torokko station
– Shuttle bus to Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride
– Walk Togetsu bridge
– Lunch at Arashiyama
– Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street Walk
– Dinner at Kyoto/Arashiyama
– Head back to #5 accomm
Day 13/24 Nov/Fri: [Central Kyoto]
– Picnic somewhere pretty (any recommendations?) Perhaps along Kamo River?
– Bishamon-do Temple
– Explore about Ninenzaka
– Kodaiji Temple Night Illumination (enter by 8:15pm to avoid earlier crowd)
– Head back to #5 accomm
Day 13/25 Nov/Sat:
– Check out #5 accomm
– Take the KyoTrain Garaku back to Osaka
– Check in #6 and final accomm (Walking distance from Ebisucho Stn)
– Ikomasanjo Amusement Park via Kintetsu
– Souvenir shopping (any recommendations? would have went for don quixote but they now have outlets in my country as well lol)
– Head back to #5 accomm + pack
Day 14/26 Nov/Sun – last day 🙁
– Check out #6 accomm (can leave luggage)
– Mugiwara Store @ Abeno Q
– Abeno Harkus
– Head back to #6 accomm to collect baggage
– Leave by 3pm to KIX
– Board plane at 7pm
1 comment
For peak foliage, check a Japanese website like koyo.walkerplus.com or weathernews.jp/koyo. Some of these websites have screwey layouts if you use Google Translate but it’s fine if you read kanji as most places names are in this script.
> super touristy areas
Friendly reminder you’re seeing many of the foliage season greatest hits…Bishamondo is ok due to the walk (although you still have to show up at opening for the classic photos) but kodaiji, sagano train, Eikando, yasaka shrine etc are going to be very crowded on peak foliage days
> Kuromon Market / Nishiki Market
If you dislike crowds and tourists, one is enough. Both of these are functionally the same these days – corridors of food stalls targeted at tourists.