Hi all, I’m going to the Kansai region for 6 days and 5 nights with my family (group of 3) from Jan 2 – 7. I’ve already been to Osaka and Kyoto before in the summer (been to Osaka castle, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari Taisha, etc other places). But it’s my mom’s first time going so I’m open to going back to these places, would prioritize new places (my mom is chill with anywhere). Preferably at a slow, less walking pace (\~15k steps a day okay). Please provide thoughts as I’m a bit worried places will be closed bc of the NYE holiday. Would love some help on day 5 in particular
Osaka hotel: Namba area
Kyoto hotel: Shijo Kawaramachi area
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**Day 1 (arrive in Osaka)**
* Land at KIX at noon and head to Namba hotel (get there around 1:30/2pm)
* Try to eat at Gyukatsu Motomura
* Walk and eat around Dontonburi
* Okonomiyaki Mizuno or Ajinoya Honten
* \[empty\] ??? Osaka Castle ???
* Dinner at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M (reservation at 7:15pm)
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**Day 2 (day trip to Arima Onsen)**
* Bus to Arima Onsen (1 hr, either get there at 10 or 11am)
* Onsen somewhere, considering:
* Kin no Yu/Gin no Yu (but expecting a lot of people)
* Taikou no Yu (expecting a lot of people)
* Arima Gyoen
* Arima Grand Hotel
* Tocen Goshoboh
* Kamenoi Hotel Arima
* Koki
* Mitsumori Main Store, ArimaTansanriki, pork buns, soba
* Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan for lunch (or onsen too?)
* I have an NYE lunch special booked for 1pm and its 12650 yen/pp so I’m not sure if it is worth it vs eating around the streets
* Back to Osaka (1hr: 3:55pm – 4:55pm)
* Unagi Kushiyaki Idumo (reservation at 5pm, might cancel if can’t make it)
* Alternative: Mingus Curry or Gyukatsu Motomura (if not day 1)
* Umeda Sky Building
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**Day 3 (Osaka to Kyoto)**
* Eat around Kuromon Ichiba Market
* Head to Kyoto (1-1.5hr)
* Try to eat at Men-ya Inoichi or Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu
* Kenninji Temple
* Kiyomizu-dera
* Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
* Isibejouji Alley
* Kodaiji Temple and Ryozen Kannon
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**Day 4 (day trip to Nara)**
* Head to Nara (1 hr)
* Nakatanidou (at 10am opening)
* Eat at Maguro Koya (at 11am opening)
* Kofuku-ji
* Todai-ji
* Nara Park
* Higashimuki Shopping Street
* Try to eat at Tonkatsu Ganko Nara
* Head back to Kyoto (1 hr)
* ??? Fushimi Inari Taisha at night ???
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**Day 5 (Kyoto)**
* \[empty\] ??? Arashiyama Bamboo Forest ??? and monkey park
* Kinkaku-ji?
* Hozugawa River Boat Ride??
* AWOMB (reservation at 5:30)
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**Day 6 (leave Kyoto)**
* Eat somewhere?
* Head to KIX, flight at 1PM