Kyoto, Nara, Osaka
9 full days

We booked 7 nights Kyoto, 3 nights Nara, 3 nights Osaka

Should we stay 10 nights Kyoto, day trip Nara, 3 nights Osaka?
The first night in Kyoto, we arrive late at night
Prefer cities
Thank you

I was glad I spent a few nights in Nara. Even though one can travel there easily from Kyoto, there is more than enough to do in Nara to justify a stay of 2 or 3 days, and from my point of view, staying there was an enormous time-saver. Too, I enjoyed walking around Nara in the evening and morning, when it is MUCH more quiet than during the middle of the day.

The primary downside is the change of hotels. For others, that's a show-stopper. Not for me!

I'm not sure how you are counting days -- you list 13 nights, which sounds like 12 days to me, not 9. Makes me think I am misunderstanding your plan...

BTW, you might consider stopping at Uji and/or Fushimi Inari between the two cities.

And, even though you prefer cities, you might want to consider fitting in a night on Koyasan -- it can be an amazing experience!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html

Enjoy!

12 full days is correct
Thank you for comments on Nara

If you have any interest in Buddhist sculpture, I thought the pieces at the Kufukuji treasure hall in Nara among the most exquisite and expressive that I have ever seen. Don't know if they are part of a permanent exhibit....

Do you have your lodging set up? We stayed in Kyoto and Nara in April and loved both of the places we chose. Click on my name for a longish trip report if it helps.

We also stayed at Koyasan and it was an amazing experience. You seem to have time if it's of interest to you.

Do you have your lodging set up? We stayed in Kyoto and Nara in April and loved both of the places we chose. Click on my name for a longish trip report if it helps.

We also stayed at Koyasan and it was an amazing experience. You seem to have time if it's of interest to you.

Thank you leslieq and kja about Koyasan; enjoyed reading about the temple stay. Very zenful. It looks very, very enticing but too cold weather-wise.

Yes, booked hotels already. In the last couple of days, I read that don't go to Nara on a Monday because a lot of things in Nara are closed on Mondays. So i changed 7 nights in Kyoto to 10 nights (9 full days) and do a day trip to Nara during that time, then the next 3 nights in Osaka. Our first night/day in Nara would have been on a Monday so changed the itinerary.

Thank you again for your comments!
Got to "see" Koyasan through armchair reading.

I'm glad you enjoyed your vicarious visit to Koyasan!

You might want to make several day trips to Nara -- there really is a LOT that is worth seeing there IMO.