October itinerary in Kansai – advice please!

Hi everyone! I visited Osaka and Kyoto back in 2018, and will be returning with my partner who will be visiting Japan for the first time. Would love your advice and feedback – we're quite flexible and open to all suggestions.

Day 1 – Tuesday Oct. 21 – Osaka

  • Afternoon: Den Den Town
  • Evening: Dotonbori

Day 2 – Wednesday Oct. 22 – Osaka to Kyoto

  • Morning: sushi breakfast near Osaka Central Fish Market, train to Kyoto
  • Afternoon: Nishiki Market, Nintendo Kyoto, Suragaya hobby store, Book Off
  • Evening: Gion and Yasaka Shrine night illumination

Day 3 – Thursday Oct. 23 – Kyoto

  • Morning: Nanzen-ji, Heian Jingu
  • Afternoon: Kyoto Handicraft Center, Kyocera Museum of Art (optional)
  • Evening: unplanned

Day 4 – Friday Oct. 24 – Kyoto

  • Morning: Teamlabs Biovortex, Namco, To-ji Temple
  • Afternoon: Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum and Sake Tasting tour
  • Evening: Fushimi Inari (optional)

Day 5 – Saturday Oct. 25 – Kyoto to Kinosaki

  • Morning: Sannenzaka (early), Ippodo Tea, train to Kinosaki
  • Afternoon: check into ryokan
  • Note: Debating a detour to Himeji Castle instead of Sannenzaka, but it seems crazy for a first-time visitor to skip Higashiyama. Thoughts?

Day 6 – Sunday Oct. 26 – Kinosaki

  • Morning/afternoon: explore onsens
  • Evening: Senta Arcade, Taniguchiya Arcade (optional)

Day 7 – Monday Oct. 27 – Kinosaki to Osaka

  • Morning: early train to Osaka
  • Afternoon: Shinsaibashi, Sennichimae Doguyasuji, Taito Station, other nearby arcades?
  • Evening: Dotonbori

Day 8 – Tuesday Oct. 28 – Return Home

  • Morning: last breakfast, travel to KIX for return flight

Thanks for reading!

by jackfruitfiend