hi guys, would like to seek your opinions on below itinerary 19th Dec (arrival 530pm)to 3rd Jan (departure 3pm), fly in & out @ osaka
D1 tue) check in probably namba area> dinner @ dotonburi /shop @ shinsaibashi
D2 wed) ichiba kuromon Market > explore osaka (osaka castle perhaps?) > midosuji illumination sights (is the day too 'light')
D3 thur) himeiji castle > dinner @ osaka (dunno which area yet)
D4 fri) nara >dinner @ Higashimuki> return to osaka
D5 sat) osaka > kyoto (reach by noon) > check in > explore nishiki market and/or karawamanchi
D6 sun) rent kimono > kiyomizudera > ko-daiji > fushimi Inari (i see alot itinerary include arashiyama & baboo forest together with kiyomizudera in same day, is there seriously enough time?)
D7 mon) xmas day: arashiyama & bamboo forest
D8 tue) activate 7D JR pass.
kyoto > tokyo shinjuku (reach by noon)> explore shinjuku rest of day (is it gg to be v boring?)
D9 wed) shinjuku > hakone > overnight @ ryokan
D10 thur) hakone > tokyo (unsure shinjuku or tokyo station yet)
D11 fri) tokyo > yuzawa (reach by 11?) > late afternoon ard 5pm head to echigo yuzawa station to check out the souvenir/sake stores? > head back tokyo (not sure if the day is too rush)
D12 sat) tsujiki market> asakusa > harajuku
D13 sun) new year eve..not sure head where, probably countdown at temple? any suggestions?
D14 mon) new year day. after lunch head back osaka? is there anywhere i can explore in the morning? <7D JR pass ends
D15 tue) osaka..dunno go where
D16 wed) probably ard 1130 need check out & start to leave for airport? departure at 3pm
do you guys think i have put too much time in osaka/ kyoto? i was trying to rely on just 7D JR pass..do you guys think it will be better if i simply just buy a 14D so that i can have more time in tokyo? although i really not sure what other places i can explore w/i tokyo.
also, what additional pass do you think i should invest in for the osaka to kyoto days? or is it better if i just use the icoca card? apologies for the lengthy post & qns..first time gg japan & its a impromptu trip.