Hey there, my partner and I are heading to Japan later this month and we're looking to get some feedback on our itinerary, specifically Osaka and Kyoto. Is this all realistic to see in the amount of time we have?

Here's what we've got:

Osaka (4 nights) — Sat 17 Jan → Wed 21 Jan

SAT 17 JAN

Evening (4:30 pm → night)

• Explore Shinsekai (5-min walk): retro lanterns and Tsutenkaku Tower.
• Walk to Tennoji Park or Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory for night views.
• OR go to Dotonbori

SUN 18 JAN — OSAKA CASTLE, STREET MARKETS & SKYLINE

Morning (8:30 am)

• Breakfast: Kuromon Ichiba Market (10 min walk).
• Walk through Nipponbashi → Dotonbori Canal → Shinsaibashi

Afternoon (12:30 – 4 pm)

• Subway from Shinsaibashi → Tanimachi 4-chome for Osaka Castle (20 min).
• Explore castle grounds, main keep, and gardens.
• Lunch: Jo-Terrace Osaka (north east of castle).

Evening (5 → night)

• Continue north to Umeda Sky Building for sunset (5 pm entry for night view, 40 min train ride from north east of castle).

MON 19 JAN — NARA & OSAKA AQUARIUM

Morning (8:30 am train)

• Kintetsu Namba → Kintetsu Nara (40 min).
• Visit Nara Park, feed deer, and see Tōdai-ji Temple & Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

Afternoon (12:00 – 6:30 pm)

• Train back to Osaka (~1 pm).
• Visit Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (3pm tickets)
• Stroll Tempozan Harbor Village.

TUE 20 JAN — HIMEJI CASTLE & KOBE HARBOR

Morning (8:30 am)

• JR Osaka → Himeji Station (1 hr).
• Walk 15 min to Himeji Castle.

Afternoon (2 – 5 pm)

• JR Himeji → Kobe Sannomiya Station (1 hr east). From Sannomiya, take the Nunobiki Ropeway to the Herb Gardens (10-min ride).
• Descend by ropeway and continue to Motomachi Shopping Street or Ikuta Shrine. 

Evening (5 – 8 pm)

• Harborland & Meriken Park.

KYOTO — 23 → 27 JAN 2026

FRI 23 JAN 9:00 am – Depart Miyajima

• Ferry Miyajima → Miyajimaguchi (10 min).
• JR local train Miyajimaguchi → Hiroshima Station (~25 min).
• Shinkansen Hiroshima → Kyoto (~1 hr 40 min).

12:00 pm – Arrive Kyoto Station

• Drop luggage or check in if room ready (~12:30 pm).

12:30 – 3:00 pm – Nishiki Market & Kawaramachi

• Walk to Nishiki Market
• Explore Teramachi and Shinkyogoku covered shopping arcades nearby.
• If we have time, explore Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gardens (closes at 4 pm).

4:30 – 8:30 pm – Gion Evening Walk

• Cross the Kamo River to Gion District.
• Visit Yasaka Shrine (magical at dusk).
• Stroll Hanamikoji Street and Shirakawa Canal — lanterns, teahouses, and Edo charm.

SAT 24 JAN — ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE & RIVER SCENERY

Morning (8:30 am)

• Train: Kawaramachi → Arashiyama (~40 min).
• Arrive early for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before crowds.
• Visit Tenryū-ji Temple & Garden after bamboo grove (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Optional short walk across Togetsukyō Bridge for riverside photos.

Afternoon (12:00 – 3:30 pm)

• Take the JR Sanin Line from Saga-Arashiyama → Nijo Station (~20 min).
• Walk 10 min to Nijō Castle and explore the Ninomaru Palace.

4:00 – 6:30 pm – Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto (Gion area)

• Visit the Samurai & Ninja Museum (closes 6:30 pm).

SUN 25 JAN — FUSHIMI INARI & HIGASHIYAMA HERITAGE WALK

Morning (8:30 am)

• JR Nara Line → Fushimi Inari Taisha (15 min).
• Walk the famous thousand torii gates trail (go halfway – ~1.5 hr loop).

Afternoon (12:00 – 4:00 pm)

• Train to Kiyomizu-Gojo Station → Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
• Explore the wooden stage, Otowa Waterfall, and views over Kyoto.
• Stroll Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka streets (Edo-style shops, matcha cafes, pottery).

Evening (5:00 – 8:00 pm)

• Walk back via Gion Shirakawa or Pontochō for dinner.

MON 26 JAN — KINKAKU-JI, KYOTO NATIONAL MUSEUM & RAILWAY MUSEUM

Morning (8:30 – 11:00 am)

• Taxi or bus to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Walk the gardens and reflection pond (allow ~45 min).
• Optional: visit Ryōan-ji Temple nearby (Zen rock garden, 15 min walk or short taxi).

Afternoon (12:30 – 4:30 pm)

• Taxi or bus to Kyoto National Museum (Higashiyama area).
• Optional quick visit to Sanjūsangendō Temple (1,001 golden Kannon statues) right next door.
• Continue to Kyoto Railway Museum at 3pm (near Umekoji Park, 15 min by taxi or bus).

Evening (5:00 – 8:00 pm)

• Relaxing Kamo River or Pontochō Alley stroll before returning to hotel.

Apologies for the AI formatting.