Hi everyone,
I woud love a reality check on our Kyoto itinerary.
We are celebrating my dad's 60th Birthday in Kyoto (First time visitor to Japan)
Day 1 – Kyoto
- Travel from Tokyo → Kyoto (reaching Kyoto by 11 AM)
- Arashiyama (30-40 mins Rickshaw)
- Katsura River
- Kinkaku-ji
- Evening: Nishiki Market
Day 2 – Kyoto (Birthday Day)
- Plum Festival
- Nijo Castle
- Fushimi Inari (only 10–15 mins at the lower shrine)
- Evening:
- Higashiyama / Gion area
- Birthday dinner in Gion
- Short Kamo River stop if energy allows (could be moved to day 4)
Day 3 – Day trip to Osaka
- Osaka Castle
- Umeda Sky Building
- Lunch
- Dotonbori + river cruise
- Dinner in Osaka, return to Kyoto
Day 4 – Nara
- Todai-ji
- Deer Park
- Kofuku-ji
- Nakatanidou mochi
- Evening back in Kyoto
Context
- Group of 4 – 2 in our 30s and Parents in their 60s
- My mum recently had foot surgery, hence a private car + guide for all days
- minimal walking, no stairs where possible so we might just spend 20-30 mins at places
- We are okay with short stops, drive-bys, and skipping things on the day
I personally wanted more Kyoto time, but my family insisted on an Osaka day trip (majority won 😅), so that’s like a family no-no topic
- Are there better low-walking Kyoto spots I am missing?
- Any places I should skip entirely given mobility constraints?
by MemoryNecessary7739