Need a little help planning my trip to Japan

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kxl

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My wife and I plan to go to Japan for the first time, primarily to view cherry blossoms, to enjoy the local cuisine and to capture some nice photos -- in that order. We plan to be in Tokyo for 4 nights, from the 26th of March through the 30th, then take the train to Osaka or Kyoto. We plan to spend 8 nights/9 days, primarily using Osaka and/or Kyoto as our base, with day trips to other areas(?).

I know they are less than an hour's train ride from each other, but how would you split up the stay or would you? And if you were to stay in Osaka and/or Kyoto, what specific area would you choose? And why?

I know this has a lot to do with my personal preferences, but I am just looking for general input from those who have been there and those who have lived or still live there.

Thanks in advance.
 
I've been to Kyoto twice in the last two weeks acting as a tour guide for visiting family. Such a lovely place. I'd definitely rather be based there than Osaka. I'd recommend staying in the area between Shijo/Karasuma and Kawaramachi subway stations as its well connected by subway and buses, is the most lively and interesting at night, and Nishiki market, Ponto-cho and Gion are all within easy walking distance. We stayed elsewhere but ended up in that area in the evenings anyway because of the range of restaurants and atmosphere there.

Japan, particularly Kyoto, is busy at cherry blossom time. Book your flights and hotels early to avoid missing out!

When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the cherry blossom tree lined philosophers walk from Ginkaku-ji temple to Nanzen-ji temple (or the reverse) is spectacular. Highly recommended.
 
While in Kyoto consider a trip to the bamboo forest in Arashiyama and then have an authentic Buddhist meal at Tenryuji temple there. My son and I stayed in Kyoto for a week, rented bicycles, and explored every day. Wonderful.

John
 
jonmanjiro said:
Japan, particularly Kyoto, is busy at cherry blossom time. Book your flights and hotels early to avoid missing out!
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Thanks for the recommendations (I'll certainly look up those places) and yes, I figured it would be busy, so I am booking flights and hotels now.

johnwolf said:
While in Kyoto consider a trip to the bamboo forest in Arashiyama and then have an authentic Buddhist meal at Tenryuji temple there. My son and I stayed in Kyoto for a week, rented bicycles, and explored every day. Wonderful.

John
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They're on my to-do list.

Thank you both.
 
Like johnwolf I also highly recommend spending a day in Arashiyama, visiting Tenryi-ji and Okochi Sanso (an old mountain villa with beautiful gardens you can walk around, with great views of the city, a short walk from Tenryu-ji). That area is quiet and beautiful even by Kyoto's standards.

Based on your itinerary, I would think reserving a few days or day trips to Osaka would be sufficient.

The area jonmanjiro suggested to stay in is very convenient and has many western-style hotels. You can walk to Gion for a kaiseki dinner some evening (another thing to consider doing).
 
In Kyoto I usually stay at the new Royal Park hotel near Gion. The hotel is reasonably-priced, near the market area, is very close to the Kamo river, and easy walking distance from Kiyomizu temple. Kyoto is small compared to other Japanese cities, so getting around by taxi is reasonable, and less complicated than figuring out the subway system.

As was mentioned earlier, if you are coming for the cherry blossoms, you had best make your reservations quickly. I live in central Tokyo, not far from Tokyo station, if you would like some recommendations for hotels or things to see and do in the Tokyo area, feel free to PM me.
 
Frontman said:
In Kyoto I usually stay at the new Royal Park hotel near Gion. The hotel is reasonably-priced, near the market area, is very close to the Kamo river, and easy walking distance from Kiyomizu temple. Kyoto is small compared to other Japanese cities, so getting around by taxi is reasonable, and less complicated than figuring out the subway system.

As was mentioned earlier, if you are coming for the cherry blossoms, you had best make your reservations quickly. I live in central Tokyo, not far from Tokyo station, if you would like some recommendations for hotels or things to see and do in the Tokyo area, feel free to PM me.
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Thanks for the tip - unfortunately, the Royal Park Hotel is sold out :( I'm looking at listings on airbnb right now and reached out to 3 of them with questions; the first two are in the area that jonmanjiro suggested; the other in the Higashiyama Ward -- a traditional Japanese house.

In Tokyo, I'll be using my Hhnors points to stay at the Tokyo Hilton in Shinjuku, so I'm covered. But I am certainly open to recommendations for things to see and do. I definitely would like to see the Tsukiji market, or at least what's accessible to the general public (outer market only?)
 
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