hello everyone,
i posted here a couple weeks ago, and after receiving some feedback on my itinerary i have created a revised version. as before, i am planning a trip to Japan for me and my mom this july and we are looking for a relaxed trip that focuses more on historic/traditional and nature spots. again, not all the locations on these daily lists are exactly mandatory, as i would like our schedule to be flexible.
i would really appreciate some feedback on whether this itinerary seems realistic, as well as some suggestions or alternatives on other temples/restaurants/ect. that we could visit in the area. thank you in advance!
one specific concern – on day 2, i am planning to go to the Ohara Sansou Onsen for a day trip. as i understand, a day trip at this onsen requires the booking of a room which includes several meals. i’m assuming that this “day trip” option means checking into the room/onsen and checking out later in the afternoon with no overnight stay, but i just wanted to make sure. I’ve had somewhat of a difficult time understanding their website.
August 12th-
* flight from Cebu to Osaka (Japan)
* arrive in Osaka by 2:15pm
* ride train/bus from Osaka to Kyoto (approximately 50 minutes)
* check- in to hotel (check-in starts at 2:00pm)
* pick-up pocket wifi by 4:00pm
* rest and explore local area
August 13th-
* ride bus from Kyoto to Ohara (approximately 1 hour)
* ohara onsen (day trip)
* rest and explore local area
August 14th-
* Arashiyama
* arashiyama bamboo grove (depart at 9:00am)
* rilakkuma tea house (eats)
* arashiyama monkey park
* jojakkoji temple
* nonomiya shrine
* kimono forest (if time allows)
August 15th-
* Gion district
* Shirakawa lane
* Hanamikoji Street
* Musoshin Ramen
* Gion Tanto (good okonomiyaki)
* nishiki market
* kenninji temple
* yasaka koshindo temple (if time allows)
August 16th-
* saiho-ji temple and moss garden
* shonan tei temple
* Shishinan tea room (茶房 至心庵)
* suzumushi-dera temple
* kaboku tea room
August 17th-
* kyoto gyoen national garden
* kyoto imperial palace
* goojinja shrine
* kyogashi confectionary museum
August 18th-
* ride train/bus from Kyoto to Osaka (approximately 50 minutes)
* flight from Osaka to Cebu (Philippines)
* flight at 3:15pm
4 comments
> day trip onsen
It’s explained here: https://www.ohara-sansou.com/higaeri/index.php. Basically you pay for lunch and get to bathe before/after lunch.
> kimono forest (if time allows)
This takes like 15 minutes to see, time will allow 🙂
> saiho-ji temple
Has a very particular appointment process and costs significantly more than other temples, please plan ahead for this one.
About Saiho-ji, their booking process requires you to book online two weeks in advance (no walk-in at all). Their reservation site is Japanese only, and entrance is 4000 yen per person. You can find their reservation site at https://saihokai.resv.jp .
Ohara Sansou has day use plans with lunch for weekends and holiday, no room.
Lunch hour is 11:30-14:30, bath hour is 11:30-15:30. They also charge onsen tax and for towel.
[source from their official website](https://www.ohara-sansou.com/smart/higaeri_s.php)
If you REALLY want to see Arashiyama, go earlier and go back at 9am? Otherwise it will be so crowded and the Busses won´t be able to pass thru those masses of people! It´s insane! I was there last month… I would rather skip Arashiyama completly and go to Uji! Uji is so beautiful and much more relaxed.