# CONTEXT:
**Who:** First timers in Japan traveling from the US with my parents (aged \~60, fairly active) and 2 siblings (aged 18-26).
**Where:** We have an AirBNB located between Gion Corner and Kiyomizu-dera. I tried to make our days as efficient as possible based on this location.
**When:** December
**What:** Personally my parents and I enjoy nature/walks/hikes but my siblings are indifferent. We are not religious or history nerds so we are fine just skimming through any readings/plaques we see. We haven’t decided on any places to eat yet and will probably just walk around and choose whatever we are feeling. We are fine visiting a few more temples than the average tourist in Kyoto, since we know we probably aren’t visiting anymore on the rest of our 3.5 week Japan trip.
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# ITINERARY:
**Day 1 (Dec 19):**
7:00 AM Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tenryu-ji
Togetsukyo Bridge
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Okochi Sanso Garden
Jojakkoji Temple
Gioji Temple
Ryoan-ji
Kinkaku-ji (closes at 5pm)
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**Day 2 (Dec 20):**
Nara day trip (unplanned so far)
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**Day 3 (Dec 21):**
7:00 AM Fushimi Inari Taisha
Tofuku-ji
To-ji Temple (big flea market on 21st)
Nijo Castle
Nishiki/Pontocho/Gion/Shinkyogoku (explore area before shops start closing around 5-6pm)
Kodaji ?
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**Day 4 (Dec 22):**
8:30 AM Nanzen-ji Temple (would start our day earlier but opens at 8:40 AM)
Eikando Temple
Honen-in Temple
Higashiyama Jisho-ji
Kyoto Imperial Palace (closes 3:20 PM)
Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace (closes 3:30 PM)
Nishiki/Pontocho/Gion/Shinkyogoku (explore area before shops start closing around 5-6pm)
Kodaji ?
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**Day 5 (Dec 23) (morning in Kyoto, then going to Osaka):**
7:00 AM Kiyomizu-dera
8:00 AM Higashiyama Ward
9:30 AM Rengeo-in Temple
10:30 AM AirBNB (11am checkout + get luggage)
11:15 AM Kyoto Station
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Are these days doable? Anything overhyped I should cut or any hidden gems missing? Also I read that some stuff closes earlier or might even be partially closed during winter, so hopefully I didn’t mess up. Thanks for taking the time to read. Literally any advice/comments/feedback is greatly appreciated! <3
5 comments
I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but you might have too many temples and shrines. They do start to get repetitive/blur together after a while.
Have you looked into experiences like a tea ceremony, dressing in kimono, maiko/geiko encounter?
Do you like green tea (matcha)? Uji (between Kyoto and Nara) is famous for it. You could probably stop there in your Nara day, as I feel a half day in Nara is about right.
There’s tours for the Imperial palace if you can get a spot. If you don’t, there’s an audio guide on the official app (covers the Tokyo palace as well).
I would suggest doing Fushimi Inari on the Nara day because it’s on the way, maybe skip Tofukuji since you have a ton of temples on your list, and then start your day with the Toji temple flea market on the 21st so it will be less crowded. You can eat breakfast at the flea market – there are many food stalls
Many Nishiki market shops close way before 5pm. Best to go in the morning or early afternoon
If you like hikes you might want to try going up Mt. Wakakusa, there’s a path to it’s foot from Nara Park. The trails is not particularly hard, but it’s a lot of stair. There’s two trails to the peak, left and right. The right one is a shorter but steeper climb, I took that one going up. The left trail is longer but through a more nature-y. I kind of liked it that way since I still enjoy the way down. One of the favorite things I did.
I also went to Uji, and it’s just *chef’s kiss*. It’s so pretty there and it’s not crowded. There’s also a short trail you can climb there up Mt. Daikichiyama. The top isn’t as great as Mt. Wakakusa but the trail is such a nice walk.
7:00 AM Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a good choice but the next visits on your plan open 8.30pm at the earliest
Okochi Sanso Garden is near to Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji so don’t go to Monkey Park before abd return. These four and the bridge may take up more time than you think.
Sunset will be 4.50pm when you are there.