July 3 (Fri)
Arrive at Osaka (KIX)
From KIX go to Kyoto via Ltd. Express Train Haruka
Explore Kyoto
July 4 (Sat)
Tour with ToursbyLocal
Nijo castle, Sanjusangendo, Fushimi Inari, Tofukuji, Gion
July 5 (Sun)
More Kyoto Exploration
July 6 (Mon)
Arashiyama Area Bamboo Forest and Tenryuuji
Kinkakuji and Ryoanji
Head to Osaka to check in to Hotel over there
July 7 (Tue)
Explore Osaka / Tanabata festival
July 8 (Wed)
Go see Himeji Castle / Himeji Day Tour
July 9 (Thurs)
From Osaka head early to Kinosaki Onsen (Osaka Station - Kounotori 9:10am)
Overnight at a ryokan
July 10 (Fri)
Explore Kinosaki Onsen till 12noon and then head back to Osaka and check in to Osaka Hotel
Rest for two hours and then head out to do last minute shopping and get some souvenirs
July 11 (Sat)
Train to the airport (KIX)
Flight back home @ 12:55pm
If I buy JR Kansai WIDE Pass, when should I activate a four day pass? Or will three days be better? And then I also plan to get ICOCA + Haruka... should I get one way or round trip?
Or is there an alternative that will be much better?
Thanks in advance!
By the way, I will be in Osaka in July 7 for Tanabata, will there be any Tanabata festival celebrations in Kyoto that will be better? I heard Osaka is doing a river light up and they also have a celebration at Shitennoji hence I chose to be at Osaka on the 7th. If there is anything in Kyoto worth seeing, please let me know. :)
Is it true that you can see fireflies along Path of Philosophy during summer? Around what time do they show up?
Is it worth spending a whole afternoon in summer at the Kyoto Botanical Garden or should I just explore more temples? Is the Kyoto Botanical garden different from your regular botanical garden?
