Hi Everyone!
Finally I have patched up my itinerary for my Osaka-Kyoto-Nara trip next week. I am writing here to seek your opinion if my itinerary is doable. Main reason for trip is autumn fall foliage viewing. I will be staying in in Kyoto for 3 nights and Osaka for 2 nights.
Any inputs will be greatly appreciated! Also, if there are restaurants near these site which you would want to recommend, please feel free to share. Thank you!
Day 1 Kyoto (arrive in Kansai International Airport by 12nn)
1:00PM Transit from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto
3:30PM Path of Philosophy
4:30PM Honen-in Temple
5:30PM Eikando Temple Night Illumination
7:30PM Pontocho
Day 2 Kyoto
10:00AM Arashimaya
10:30AM Sagano Scenic Railway
1:00PM Arashimaya Walking Tour, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Grove
5:00PM Nishiki Market
Day 3 Kyoto
9:00AM Tofokuji Temple
11:00AM Fushimi Inari Shrine
1:00PM Kiyomizudera
3:00PM Higashiyama District - Maruyama Park, Yasaka Shrine
6:00PM Gion
Day 4 Osaka
11:00AM Transit from Kyoto to Osaka
2:30PM Minoh Park
8:00PM Dotonburi
Day 5 Nara, Osaka
10:00AM Transit fro Osaka to Nara
11:00AM Nara Park
12:00NN Yoshikien Garden
1:00PM Naramachi
3:00PM Transfer from Nara to Osaka
6:00PM Namba Walk and free time onwards
Day 6 Osaka
Buffer time in case any activities from previous days were missed.
Free Time until 3PM. - Any suggestions on what to do in Osaka?
Need help on Osaka-Kyoto-Nara Itinerary
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Day 1 - I think that the Philosophers Path is better visited during the cherry blossom season. I have been there several times and three times in the autumn and the koyo, although at some spots are colorful, is not a must see in the fall, Ginkakuji being the exception. Visit during the spring and the sakura season when the views are spectacular. Skip it and have more time for your other picks that day.

Day 2 - We like to go to Arashiyama early during the day at that time of year to try and avoid the loads of crowds. My advice is to do your walking tour in the morning. I like to arrive before 9:00 am and be leaving the area before 1:00pm. Doing the walking tour at 1:00pm at that time of year is what I would consider grounds for suicide
You will see why when you get there.
Day 3 - Again, get to Tofukuji right when it opens and before the flag carrying crowds arrive.....and they will at that time of year......trust me on this. Have lunch in one of the small home restaurants you will see as you are leaving the Fushimi Inari Shrine area out the back entrance. Fushimi Inari will have almost no one there at this time of year and will be a welcome respite to the crowds you will encounter elsewhere. You have a lot on your plate this day and Kiyomizudera in the afternoon at this time of the year only adds to the crowds and your length of stay there.
Day 4 - Perfect.....maybe start Dotombori around 7 ish
Day 5 - a rush but try to accomplish as much as you can and be sure to catch one of the express trains to Nara from Kyoto and not the local which will stop at every stop and really lengthen your commute to Nara.
Day 6 - Osaka Castle for sure and its adjacent gardens would be the perfect fit before carrying on to your late afternoon flight and give you a few more camera moments before you leave.
As for suggestions to eat.....looks like you will have to eat in the vicinity your are in according to your schedule. You won't lack in the quantity of places to eat....trust me
Aloha!
Day 2 - You'd be better to go to Nishiki Market earlier in the day...closes around 6:00 and nothing gets restocked as it sells out so it gets looking a bit bare later in the day. Arashiyama will be packed so you'll need to reserve the train (and boat if you are doing that) ahead of time or you won't get on without at least a lengthy wait.
Hi hawaiintraveller, kimjapan,
Thank you for your inputs. I will be moving my planned activities earlier in the morning to avoid crowds.
For day 1, probably I will be spending more time in Eikando temple. The entrance fee is a bit steep at 1000 yen. Would anyone of you know whether I can extend my stay there until night time illumination at 5:30pm without the need to pay additional 600yen?
Thanks everyone for your help!