Quote:
Originally Posted by ktkoo
I'm going to Japan for 2 weeks with family and will be spending 5 days in the kyoto/osaka area, but I don't know where I should base myself.
Would it be better to stay in Osaka and do some day trips to Kyoto, or the other way around?
I know Osaka has better shopping and more food choices, but Kyoto seems to have more attractions, such as temples, shrines, castles etc. My parents will be more interested in cultural things rather than nightlife and shopping.
Also any advice on what things to do in Osaka and Kyoto?
Umeda, Namba, Universal Studios, kinkakuji (golden temple), Gion etc?
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I would say to stay in Osaka and take day trips to Kyoto. You only really need 2 days to cover the major shrines and temples.
What kind of things are you interested in doing? Osaka has a very nice aquarium, which I highly recommend if you are into this stuff. For castle, there is the Osaka Castle, or Himeji that is west of Osaka. Namba and Umeda are nice, Umeda sky building is good if you want to take some nice picture of sunset. Namba is really just for food and nightlife.. and some shopping, but then shopping is available everywhere in Japan
Kyoto, you probably want to go to the Kinkakuji and the Kyomizu Dera. Gion isn't all that exiting unless you guys want to watch a Geisha show, but its a good experience to have dinner at one of those traditional restaurant for a nice meal.
If you are all for just the culture and old traditional stuff, then just stay in Kyoto and spend one day in Osaka.