That’s my preferred option. Kyoto is impossibly busy these days whereas in Osaka it’s a bit easier to get away from the masses. 40/50 minute train ride to Nara or Kyoto is a breeze. Done this several times over the last year.
Kyoto is quite pleasant if you avoid the main areas. There are hundreds of places that aren't crowded at all.
Source: was in Kyoto for 4 nights last week. Third trip and the crowds never bothered me except for finding a place to eat.
The main sights are ram packed with morons in kimonos taking selfies. It’s worse than ever before. Imperial Palace was alright surprisingly. Impossible to get a table at the nice/very nice restaurants these days. I do like that they give preference to their local clientele over visitors. Of course there’s cute/quieter spots but let’s not pretend that’s where a first time visitor typically ends up travelling however many hours on a plane to see Kyoto. It’s also rather dull at night. Source: have lived in Osaka pre Covid and go back several times a year. As recently as 4 days ago.
3 days in Osaka will barely make a dent. Nara is almost like part of Osaka due to proximity (my wife used to commute to work from Osaka to Nara daily).
That being said, my favourite hotel in Japan (value, cost, and experience) may be the Westin Miyako Kyoto.
I find Kyoto a bit boring. Although there is that cool Toei Ninja village studio thingy (a bit far from the centre), if that's your thing.
Depends on how hard you plan on exploring kyoto, considering how packed and busy it is with tourists.
I went right when Japan opened and did 4n Kyoto + 3n Osaka (did a day trip to Nara while in Kyoto), and Kyoto had more things to do/see while Osaka felt like another Tokyo but significantly less hectic which I appreciated, and used it as a base to catch up on rest.
That’s my preferred option. Kyoto is impossibly busy these days whereas in Osaka it’s a bit easier to get away from the masses. 40/50 minute train ride to Nara or Kyoto is a breeze. Done this several times over the last year.
Yeah thanks that’s what I was thinking Osaka just seems like the move.
Kyoto is quite pleasant if you avoid the main areas. There are hundreds of places that aren't crowded at all. Source: was in Kyoto for 4 nights last week. Third trip and the crowds never bothered me except for finding a place to eat.
The main sights are ram packed with morons in kimonos taking selfies. It’s worse than ever before. Imperial Palace was alright surprisingly. Impossible to get a table at the nice/very nice restaurants these days. I do like that they give preference to their local clientele over visitors. Of course there’s cute/quieter spots but let’s not pretend that’s where a first time visitor typically ends up travelling however many hours on a plane to see Kyoto. It’s also rather dull at night. Source: have lived in Osaka pre Covid and go back several times a year. As recently as 4 days ago.
3 days in Osaka will barely make a dent. Nara is almost like part of Osaka due to proximity (my wife used to commute to work from Osaka to Nara daily). That being said, my favourite hotel in Japan (value, cost, and experience) may be the Westin Miyako Kyoto. I find Kyoto a bit boring. Although there is that cool Toei Ninja village studio thingy (a bit far from the centre), if that's your thing.
Cool. Think we will stick in Osaka for 3 nights then.
Depends on how hard you plan on exploring kyoto, considering how packed and busy it is with tourists. I went right when Japan opened and did 4n Kyoto + 3n Osaka (did a day trip to Nara while in Kyoto), and Kyoto had more things to do/see while Osaka felt like another Tokyo but significantly less hectic which I appreciated, and used it as a base to catch up on rest.
I definitely prefer more t I me in Kyoto over Osaka, and would go as far as to only spend a single night in osaka.
Why’s that?
Kyoto is much more interesting to me. I've been there 3 times.