2 weeks in osaka, kyoto, nara, kobe, miyajima and hiroshima

deljunks

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hi,
have planned this trip with my family with children aged 8, 7 and 5.
as I am flying with scoot, my flight will reach kix at about 6pm.
as I intend to base myself in Kyoto, will it be recommended for me to travel to Kyoto immediately or stay in Osaka for 1 night first then to Kyoto the day after?
as I understand from reading in the forum that base in Kyoto is better, will it be recommended to stay put the whole 2 weeks in Kyoto then take a day trip to Osaka, nara, miyajima and Hiroshima?
or it will be better to stay over?
please advice.
thanks.
 

thwysg

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hi,
have planned this trip with my family with children aged 8, 7 and 5.
as I am flying with scoot, my flight will reach kix at about 6pm.
as I intend to base myself in Kyoto, will it be recommended for me to travel to Kyoto immediately or stay in Osaka for 1 night first then to Kyoto the day after?
as I understand from reading in the forum that base in Kyoto is better, will it be recommended to stay put the whole 2 weeks in Kyoto then take a day trip to Osaka, nara, miyajima and Hiroshima?
or it will be better to stay over?
please advice.
thanks.

Why not base in Osaka? Easier to find supermarkets and more places for kids to go to. Kyoto city has a lot of temples, unless your kids are into historical sites.
 

deljunks

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Why not base in Osaka? Easier to find supermarkets and more places for kids to go to. Kyoto city has a lot of temples, unless your kids are into historical sites.

frankly speaking, am not really into temples but since it's a place to go, and base in what's recommended, so we thought it is a better idea to base in Kyoto. so do you suggest to be base in osaka instead? please advise. thanks
 

thwysg

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frankly speaking, am not really into temples but since it's a place to go, and base in what's recommended, so we thought it is a better idea to base in Kyoto. so do you suggest to be base in osaka instead? please advise. thanks

My questions to you -
1. Have you settled your lodging? You’re going to Japan during Golden Week (29 April to 5 May).
2. You know your kids better. What kind of activities are they into?
3. What’s your draft itinerary? It’s your trip so ultimately you have to make your own decisions.

We can’t advise until you’ve got a skeleton and a rough idea the things your family wish to do.
 

deljunks

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My questions to you -
1. Have you settled your lodging? You’re going to Japan during Golden Week (29 April to 5 May).
2. You know your kids better. What kind of activities are they into?
3. What’s your draft itinerary? It’s your trip so ultimately you have to make your own decisions.

We can’t advise until you’ve got a skeleton and a rough idea the things your family wish to do.

hi,
thanks for the reply.
1. I have yet to settle the accommodation yet. oh no, I didn't realise its their long weekend there. I should start booking asap.
2. its more of a holiday for them to explore japan. we had been to Tokyo, Hokkaido, thus wish to explore Osaka this time round. perhaps universal studio will be good for them. other than that, they may have to follow us wherever we go.
3. have planned as below, please advice.

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22nd checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
23rd Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
24th Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
25th Daytrip to Nara
26th free and easy in Kyoto
27th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
28th Minami District and Tennoji
29th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
30th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
1th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
2nd Osaka Castle and Expo City
3rd Universal Studio
4th 3.35pm departure

as you can see, we are staying on both kyoto and osaka. is the above feasible? any attraction we should give it a miss or add into it?
i don't know how can i minimize the impact of the golden week. how best can i plan to minimise the crowd?
or is it better for me to do Osaka first i.e

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
23th Minami District and Tennoji
24th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
35th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
26th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
27th Osaka Castle and Expo City
28th Universal Studio
29th checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
30th Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
1st Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
2nd Daytrip to Nara
3rd free and easy in Kyoto
4th 3.35pm departure

and is there any recommended train pass for us to purchase in order to cover the above attractions and when to buy it?
please kindly advice.
thanks
 
Last edited:

thwysg

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hi,
thanks for the reply.
1. I have yet to settle the accommodation yet. oh no, I didn't realise its their long weekend there. I should start booking asap.
2. its more of a holiday for them to explore japan. we had been to Tokyo, Hokkaido, thus wish to explore Osaka this time round. perhaps universal studio will be good for them. other than that, they may have to follow us wherever we go.
3. have planned as below, please advice.

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22nd checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
23rd Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
24th Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
25th Daytrip to Nara
26th free and easy in Kyoto
27th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
28th Minami District and Tennoji
29th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
30th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
1th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
2nd Osaka Castle and Expo City
3rd Universal Studio
4th 3.35pm departure

as you can see, we are staying on both kyoto and osaka. is the above feasible? any attraction we should give it a miss or add into it?
please kindly advice.
thanks

I feel it might be easier if you've just stayed in Osaka throughout. Unless you wish to stay in Kyoto city for the feel of it. Why not do an overnight stay in Hiroshima? At least your kids won't tire out from the long hours of traveling and walking.

Don't bother going to USJ on a public holiday (3-5 May). It's madness. I've seen the crowds in TDR on 29 April and Obon week in August. Everywhere are people and queues.
 

deljunks

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I feel it might be easier if you've just stayed in Osaka throughout. Unless you wish to stay in Kyoto city for the feel of it. Why not do an overnight stay in Hiroshima? At least your kids won't tire out from the long hours of traveling and walking.

Don't bother going to USJ on a public holiday (3-5 May). It's madness. I've seen the crowds in TDR on 29 April and Obon week in August. Everywhere are people and queues.


hi,
i have actually edited and post a alternative itinerary.
can you advise?

i don't know how can i minimize the impact of the golden week. how best can i plan to minimise the crowd?
or is it better for me to do Osaka first i.e

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
23th Minami District and Tennoji
24th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
35th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
26th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
27th Osaka Castle and Expo City
28th Universal Studio
29th checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
30th Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
1st Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
2nd Daytrip to Nara
3rd free and easy in Kyoto
4th 3.35pm departure

and is there any recommended train pass for us to purchase in order to cover the above attractions and when to buy it?
please kindly advice.
thanks

and to your reply on staying in osaka, so to visit Kyoto, do we do a few day trips there? or can skip a few and just do one.
also if staying in osaka, whick area would you recommend us to stay that would be more suitable to go to the attractions?
please advise.
thank you again

hi
have firmed up the accommodation at osaka near Namba for the whole duration. will plan the places to go from there. thanks and appreciated.
 
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thwysg

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21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
23th Minami District and Tennoji
24th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
35th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
26th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
27th Osaka Castle and Expo City
28th Universal Studio
29th checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
30th Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
1st Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
2nd Daytrip to Nara
3rd free and easy in Kyoto
4th 3.35pm departure

and is there any recommended train pass for us to purchase in order to cover the above attractions and when to buy it?
please kindly advice.
thanks

and to your reply on staying in osaka, so to visit Kyoto, do we do a few day trips there? or can skip a few and just do one.

Try to avoid doing USJ on weekends too. Since you’re there from 21st onwards, try heading there any of the weekdays Tuesday to Thursday.
 

deljunks

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Try to avoid doing USJ on weekends too. Since you’re there from 21st onwards, try heading there any of the weekdays Tuesday to Thursday.

hi,
after doing research and planning, I have decided on the following itinerary. can you kindly advice if its feasible? and as I am travelling to Kyoto for a few day trips and nara, kobe, Hiroshima etc, is there a suitable train pass for me to purchase?

21st april - arrival 6pm and check in follow by free and easy
22th april - Osaka bay and kita area
23nd april - Minami District and Tennoji
24rd april - Osaka aquarium, kids plaza and minami
25th april - expo city and Osaka castle
26th april - Universal studio
27th april - day trip to Kyoto - Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
28th april - day trip to Kyoto - Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
29th april - day trip to Kyoto - Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
30th april - day trip to Nara
1st may - day trip to Hiroshima and overnight
2nd may - day trip to miyajima
3rd may - day trip to Himeji and kobe
4th may - return back 3.45pm

is the above itinerary feasible? is it too busy? please kindly advice.
thanks.
 
Last edited:

thwysg

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hi, thanks for the reply.
I am wondering if it is possible to do a self drive and train only for the Hiroshima trip?
can anyone advise if it's recommended?
thanks

Would be good if you could stick to one thread on asking questions.

Not advisable to drive within Kyoto city. And the places you’re visiting are easily accessible by trains and buses. Why do it (you need to worry about parking and there’s lots of traffic jams), moreover it’s during the Golden Week?
 

deljunks

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Would be good if you could stick to one thread on asking questions.

Not advisable to drive within Kyoto city. And the places you’re visiting are easily accessible by trains and buses. Why do it (you need to worry about parking and there’s lots of traffic jams), moreover it’s during the Golden Week?

hi,
had wanted to post on one thread. but you only reply here.. and evil only reply there... haha... thus the duplicate post on both threads...
noted and will most probably stick to public transport.
thanks for the reply.
appreciated
 

evilerniex

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Oops.. Hahaa. I come to this forum less frequently. But i had to bookmark the other thread coz GAGT app dun show sticky thread.

Will try to reply here from now on
 

deljunks

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Oops.. Hahaa. I come to this forum less frequently. But i had to bookmark the other thread coz GAGT app dun show sticky thread.

Will try to reply here from now on

haha... anyway thanks guys for the advice. finally can take the mind of the itinerary. appreciated. cheers
 

Ilovepolkadots

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Do i need to purchase a JR pass for my itinerary?
Sorry cos im quite clueless about how the JR Pass works
I calculated i think it will be more worth it if i pay per trip, thanks!

Day 1 Kansai - Osaka
Day 2 Osaka
Day 3 Osaka
Day 4 Osaka
Day 5 Osaka - Nara
Day 6 Osaka - Kobe
Day 7 Osaka
Day 8 Osaka - Kyoto
Day 9 Kyoto
Day 10 Kyoto
Day 11 Kyoto - Kansai Airport

Thanks
 

Ilovepolkadots

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hi,
thanks for the reply.
1. I have yet to settle the accommodation yet. oh no, I didn't realise its their long weekend there. I should start booking asap.
2. its more of a holiday for them to explore japan. we had been to Tokyo, Hokkaido, thus wish to explore Osaka this time round. perhaps universal studio will be good for them. other than that, they may have to follow us wherever we go.
3. have planned as below, please advice.

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22nd checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
23rd Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
24th Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
25th Daytrip to Nara
26th free and easy in Kyoto
27th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
28th Minami District and Tennoji
29th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
30th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
1th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
2nd Osaka Castle and Expo City
3rd Universal Studio
4th 3.35pm departure

as you can see, we are staying on both kyoto and osaka. is the above feasible? any attraction we should give it a miss or add into it?
i don't know how can i minimize the impact of the golden week. how best can i plan to minimise the crowd?
or is it better for me to do Osaka first i.e

21th 6pm check in Osaka hotel and night free and easy
22th checked in to Osaka, Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
23th Minami District and Tennoji
24th Daytrip to Himeji + Kobe
35th Daytrip to Hiroshima + Miyajima
26th Osaka Aquarium, Kids Plaza Osaka
27th Osaka Castle and Expo City
28th Universal Studio
29th checked into Kyoto: Southern Higashiyama, Downtown and Fushimi-Inari
30th Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
1st Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
2nd Daytrip to Nara
3rd free and easy in Kyoto
4th 3.35pm departure

and is there any recommended train pass for us to purchase in order to cover the above attractions and when to buy it?
please kindly advice.
thanks

You can get the Osaka Amazing Pass and cover the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium,Tempozan Ferris Wheel,Legoland Discovery, Captain Line/Santa Maria on 26th since they are all situated in the same area

How about The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, HEP...
 

szeli

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Do i need to purchase a JR pass for my itinerary?
Sorry cos im quite clueless about how the JR Pass works
I calculated i think it will be more worth it if i pay per trip, thanks!

Day 1 Kansai - Osaka
Day 2 Osaka
Day 3 Osaka
Day 4 Osaka
Day 5 Osaka - Nara
Day 6 Osaka - Kobe
Day 7 Osaka
Day 8 Osaka - Kyoto
Day 9 Kyoto
Day 10 Kyoto
Day 11 Kyoto - Kansai Airport

Thanks

u r only going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara n Kobe u dun need e JR pass.
 
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