Going Osaka/Kyoto soon

[Kixon9]

Hi folks!

I'll be travelling to Osaka/Kyoto in the last week of May with wife and 2 kids.

My objective:
1) Eat good food
2) Live in some hotels with onsens
3) Bring the kids to have some fun
4) Buy some Japanese cosmetics (if cheap)

Any recommendations of where? Thanks!

P.S. Is it recommended to drive?

 

[cpuer]

Go for this in Kyoto
https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26012136/

osaka's
https://tabelog.com/en/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001286/

Onsen hotel
http://www.kurama-onsen.co.jp/index_e.html

kids fun maybe go USJ
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4021.html

 

[cancer81]

Osaka and Kyoto is not really recommended for self drive. Parking space,parking fees and traffic jams make for a pretty bad mix.

for a family of four, you can look out for good deals from restaurants, you may have to avoid the ramen shops as they are not that kid friendly (pre-school esp). It can be done but you may find the need to constantly mind them a bit much

go theme park? both cities have good theme parks.

onsen ryokan, kyoto might have.... I hope you have booked

 

[Kixon9]

Wow thanks!

I have one burning question: I have a infant and a 5 yr old. I basically can survive with 1 King bed and 1 baby crib. Do I need to book rooms with 3-4 person, or input just 2 adults + 1 baby crib is enough?

 

[cancer81]

I would say based on expedia form, input as 2 adult and 2 children

you might have to put your 5 yr old on the child bed, infant share bed with you

 

[thwysg]

You need to declare the number of kids and adults properly when you book hotels and ryokans. Japanese are quite strict on all the small details. Else you might be turned away on the day of arrival.

 

[purpleberry]

With kids and a baby, it might be challenging to eat at a good place as they are usually quite small. My advice is eat 1-2hrs before lunch/dinner peak hours so that they are able to accommodate you.

 

[galliano]

Hi,
Our family of 7 (4 adults, 3 kids) are heading up to Kyoto from Osaka. Just wondering which trains is easier and where would be easy to stay and move around in Kyoto?

Looking around for nice ryokan also.

 

[cpuer]

Hi,
Our family of 7 (4 adults, 3 kids) are heading up to Kyoto from Osaka. Just wondering which trains is easier and where would be easy to stay and move around in Kyoto?

Looking around for nice ryokan also.

use hyperdia to help you find the route to Kyoto. You need to know which station in Osaka and the stnd of your destination in Kyoto

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

No need to stay in Kyoto, just based yourselves in Osaka will do.

 

[galliano]

use hyperdia to help you find the route to Kyoto. You need to know which station in Osaka and the stnd of your destination in Kyoto

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

No need to stay in Kyoto, just based yourselves in Osaka will do.

Thanks .. but my family wanted to try out the traditional houses and onset. Just laze around 2 to 3 days in Kyoto.

 

[cpuer]

Thanks .. but my family wanted to try out the traditional houses and onset. Just laze around 2 to 3 days in Kyoto.

This type of traditional hotel?
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ky...b234d5724c2c53X1;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

Onsen u can go to the Kurama one, u can do a short hike at Kurama or Kibune and then end your hike by soaking away you tiredness at the onsen

http://www.kurama-onsen.co.jp/index_e.html

 

[weathersohot]

Common one is limited express Haruka. I took it on a weekday and it wasn't crowded. Kansai area pass also supports it. (Note that it's Haruka Ltd Express. There are also other limited express for Osaka to Kyoto)

There's a small compartment in front of each cabin for your luggage. Even if there is no space there, there is ample space in front of your legs for your luggage.

Chairs can be adjusted to face each other (instead of the usual one direction only), so it's quite convenient for you and your kids.

Hi,
Our family of 7 (4 adults, 3 kids) are heading up to Kyoto from Osaka. Just wondering which trains is easier and where would be easy to stay and move around in Kyoto?

Looking around for nice ryokan also.

 

[galliano]

Common one is limited express Haruka. I took it on a weekday and it wasn't crowded. Kansai area pass also supports it. (Note that it's Haruka Ltd Express. There are also other limited express for Osaka to Kyoto)

There's a small compartment in front of each cabin for your luggage. Even if there is no space there, there is ample space in front of your legs for your luggage.

Chairs can be adjusted to face each other (instead of the usual one direction only), so it's quite convenient for you and your kids.

Thanks.

Actually travelling in early June.
4 days - Osaka (arrive)
2 days - Kyoto
1 day - Nogoya (flight back)

Understand that is JR pass and such. Wondering for me if its more worth it. Not sure how it works.
Managed to get AirBnB all near the main train stations (Osaka & Kyoto).

 

[weathersohot]

Are you focusing on just Osaka and Kyoto? If yes, I think a JR pass is not worth

Thanks.

Actually travelling in early June.
4 days - Osaka (arrive)
2 days - Kyoto
1 day - Nogoya (flight back)

Understand that is JR pass and such. Wondering for me if its more worth it. Not sure how it works.
Managed to get AirBnB all near the main train stations (Osaka & Kyoto).

 

[galliano]

Are you focusing on just Osaka and Kyoto? If yes, I think a JR pass is not worth

Yep. Just those 2 places.

 

[Jingbright]

Yep. Just those 2 places.

Why not give a day to Nara, distance is near from osaka

 

[Quasar]

Yep. Just those 2 places.

Agree JR pass not worth it. Might be better to get:

You have to do a lot of travelling to get value out of the passes, and that just makes the whole trip very rush.

Haruka and Icoca set 1-way OR
Kansai Thru pass 2/3 days for Osaka and Kyoto and side trips (very complicated to utilise properly but useful in Osaka subway)

and book shinkansen to nagoya separately from JR