This is our family's second trip to Japan and I intentionally allocated more days to the Kansai region specifically Kyoto. Last time, we were unable to do our day trip to Kyoto and thus wanted to focus more days there.
Day 1: Arrival in Kansai
- Arrived in KIX and bought ICOCA cards at the train station. Our youngest was able to get a customized ICOCA card as she can get child rates. I also redeemed our Osaka Amazing Pass at the tourist information center in the airport.
- We decided to take the limousine bus to Kyoto station. It was mostly uneventful. We intended to take a taxi to our hotel but none of the taxi drivers would take us so we took the subway instead. Here is where under packing helped a lot as our suitcases were not that heavy. They weren't that difficult to bring up the stairs.
- Checked in to MIMARU Kyoto and after getting our room and resting a bit we decided to have an early dinner nearby.
Day 2: Kyoto
- Woke the kids up early and we set off for Fushimi-Inari shrine. It was a bit rainy but we had folding umbrellas and packable rain jackets so it wasn't an issue. It was quite nice that there weren't that many people around yet and those that were there were quiet and respectful. We did not go all the way up as I wasn't too optimistic about my knees. In retrospect we should have spent more time here.
- We walked to Komyo temple and were the only ones there. It has a very nice rock garden and was so serene. We got tired though so we rested back at the hotel.
- We had lunch at Ramen Nishiki. We were able to walk in when they opened and it was quite delicious.
- After lunch we decided to go to Yasaka shrine and walked around Maruyama park. After we got tired we went back again to the hotel.
- Then in the afternoon we decided to go to the Samurai and Ninja museum experience. It was fun getting to know more about the history of the samurai and whatnot. We even got to dress in samurai pictures and throw ninja stars. The kids enjoyed it.
Day 3: Kyoto
- The kids weren't used to this much walking so I was debating over whether we would take a cab to Arashiyama. Everyone woke up a bit later than targeted so I downloaded the GO taxi app and used it to get us to Arashiyama. It was a bit pricey but I was managing our energy levels.
- We hung around the area and even stopped to rest by the river. Then we went to the nearby temple Tenryu-ji.
- We left once the streets were getting very crowded with people which is around lunch time. We ended up going to Kura sushi which was surprisingly empty for lunch time. Then we had coffee in Hoshino coffee.
- Our eldest was really complaining about his shoes so we had to go to the mall and buy him a new pair of running shoes.
Day 4: Kyoto
- We went to Nijo castle and the Kyoto imperial garden. My bad because I did not notice that the Kyoto Imperial palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- Decided to have lunch at Nishiki Market and had yummy grilled food.
- I had to give the kids something non-cultural so off we went to Nintendo Kyoto for some merch and photo ops.
- We had a lovely dinner at a Thai place next to the river.
Day 5: Kyoto – Osaka
- Packed up for our move to Osaka. I missed the deadline for the next day but luckily there is a same day luggage forwarding service for Kyoto – Osaka. I made sure I got our luggage to the front desk in time. I was also able to pay via credit card.
- We did not take the Shinkansen and instead opted for a Limited Express train. It was also cheaper.
- Got to the MIMARU Osaka Namba Station in time for check-in so off we went to our room to rest and settle down a bit.
- We left around 6ish to see if we could grab a table at Tendon Makino and luckily we were ahead of the dinner rush. Really good tempura!
- I think we walked around Dotoburi a bit then went back to the hotel
Day 6: Osaka
- We went to Osaka castle and it was impressive. Be warned though that if you want to enter you will have to walk up the stairs. I tapped out at the 4th floor but the rest of the family went to the top for an amazing view. We did not need to line up for this since it was part of the Osaka Amazing Pass
- We had lunch at Kuromon market at Kouragami and it was pricey but delicious.
- The kids wanted to rest in the afternoon so hubby and I went shopping at the nearby shopping district.
- Came back to have dinner at the nearby Torikizoku. Not exactly vegetarian friendly but hubby managed.
- We actually had tickets for TeamLab Botanical but I was tired so I chalked it up as a loss.
Day 7: Nara
- The kids loved the experience of meeting the deer at Nara. We also went to the nearby Kofuku-ji Temple.
- We took the train back to Osaka and had lunch at the restaurant with the giant gyoza signage in Dotonburi. Then we had grabbed some Cremia soft serve from the nearby Excelsior cafe.
- I had to do another non-cultural experience for the kids so went to the Pokemon center in Parco. Again we purchased merch and had a lot of photo ops. We also went to Uniqlo and bought a lot.
- We had dinner at Kura Sushi but had to wait half an hour since it was peak dinner rush.
Day 8: Kobe
- Our initial plan was to go to Himeji Castle in the morning then Kobe in the afternoon to meet hubby's friend. However I was too tired to contemplate a 2hr train ride.
- I can't remember where we had lunch but we headed for Kobe right after.
- Our friend couldn't meet up right away so we killed time by going to Kobe's Herb garden and ropeway. It was such a good call to do so. The cable car going up had spectacular views. I also enjoyed looking at the plants and various roses in the garden.
- Finally we went off to meet our friend and he took us to a place called Kushi Baru for dinner. It was an excellent izakaya and the skewers were delicious.
- After dinner we headed back to Osaka.
Day 9: Headed home
- I packed up and made sure nothing was left and we checked out. I booked a car service to the airport since we had a lot of luggage and did not want to go through the train system.
- Got to the airport in good time but had to wait for check-in. After check-in and immigration I went around the airport to of course buy some chocolates and other stuff that caught my eye. The confectionary section is now automated where there is a kiosk for you to decide what you were buying then you brought your chit to the cashier. Once you've paid at the cashier you would wait for your number to be called at the pick-up station. I guess this made it more efficient.
Conclusion:
It was an amazing trip and I'm so glad we were able to do what we did. I guess I overestimated our physical state because we got tired with all the walking. So though we weren't able to do some activities we were ok with it because we did not want to burn out.
by macasman2008