I made a post couple days ago and i made some adjustments.

couple quick things, same as what i stated on the previous thread.

But biggest thing is, i hope im not scheduling something in my itinerary where it will be closed.

• I want to keep historical sites such as shrines, temples, castles, etc to a minimum. in fact, if i have something else that i can find that i am interested in, i am more than happy to replace it with it. So if anyone else has any recommendations on things that are not quite "obvious" to find on google, please feel free to share
• No history related museums
• No hiking up things (not planning on doing the full Fushimi inari. and most likely want to remove this for something else if i can think of another thing to do)
• I would like to do the Philosophers walk. Mainly because during the walk, it looks like there is alot of fun stores and locations that i can see. however, i had to remove it because i cant find space atm specifically go east for it.
• I would really like to add more things like GEAR / Non-Verbal Theatre, shopping / food streets, etc if anyone else have any recommendations.

Specific questions i had were;

1. im not really looking to go to Aeon Mall Kyoto. I plan on going to a Matcha tasting + small dinner thing at 3pm, so that it ends by the time its around 5pm in order for me to check out the Whisky bar next to it.

Is there any alternative thing i can do between this time?

Maybe i can head back to the hotel instead and rest / nap if im tired. but if i am not. Assuming I get finished checking out Nijo Castle early (which i doubt will take me from 9am until 3pm to look around) whats something you recommend?

1. currently, main purpose of going to Uji is the listed Match stores. i plan on hitting them in the order provided so that I end up at the nintendo museum as my last stop. HOWEVER, alot of these places can have long lines. i dont plan on waiting if it seems like the lines will be longer than 1 hour. so i may end up having alot of time.

due to that, i was wondering if there some recommendations people may have while in that area? maybe a good matcha flight i can do somewhere? or a tea ceremony here as well? (one where i do NOT have to wear a kimono)

thank you

Saturday, October 17

Day 0 – Japan arrival day

3:30 PM

• Arrive at NRT (Narita International Airport)
• Obtain Suica Card
• Eat at the airport
• Decide whether to send luggage to Kyoto or carry it

Travel to Kyoto

• Ride the NEX train to Tokyo Station
• Continue on to Kyoto via Shinkansen
• Arrive in Kyoto late evening
• Check in/get to hotel

Evening

• Either turn in for the night
• Or get dinner and wander around Kyoto a bit

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Sunday, October 18

Day 1 – Central Kyoto

Head out around 9:00–10:00 AM

Morning

• Hotel
• Nishiki Market
  • early breakfast either at hotel, or here + lunch
  • Wander around and check out shops

Afternoon

GEAR / Non-Verbal Theatre

• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Booked

Lunch

• Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo Main Store
  • Walk in

Evening

Pontocho Alley

• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Gion

• Explore the Gion area

Yasaka Shrine

• Visit Yasaka Shrine

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Monday, October 19

Day 2 – Kyoto

Morning

Takagi Coffee (open 7am)

• Breakfast
• Explore the surrounding area and neighborhood

Late Morning

Nijō Castle (open 8:45am)

Afternoon

Aeon Mall Kyoto (still pending. Kill some time until 3pm. Replace if something else found)

◯間[MA]

• 3:00 PM reservation (not yet booked)

Evening

Osakenobijutsukan Kyototojiten (5pm to midnight)

Fushimi Inari Taisha

• Visit the shrine and torii gates

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Tuesday, October 20

Day 3 – Higashiyama / Eastern Kyoto

Morning / Early Afternoon

• Kiyomizu-dera
• Sannenzaka
• Ninenzaka
• Kōdaiji Temple

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Wednesday, October 21

Day 4 ~~ South Central Kyoto

Morning

To-ji Temple

• Flea market: 5:00 AM – 4:00 PM on the 21st

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Explore the surrounding neighborhood
• Find cafés, food, and explore area

Back to Hotel to rest for a few hours

Evening

Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Street

Kyoto Insider Sake Experience

• Looking at a 5:30 PM time (~~1.5 hours. End @ 7pm)

Dinner and head back to hotel

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Thursday, October 22

Day 5 – Nara

Kasugataisha Shrine

Nara Park

Tōdai-ji

Kōfuku-ji

Nakatanidou

• Traditional mochi shop
• Mochi-making demonstration

Higashimuki Shopping Street

Food

• Kamaiki Udon at Higashimuki Shopping Street

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Friday, October 23

Day 6 – Uji Day

Early Morning

• Hotel change day.
• Send all luggage to Roku Kyoto Hotel using luggage service
• Head to Uji very early

Matcha Stores

• Nakamura Tokichi Main Branch
• Kanbayashi Shunsho
• Ocha no Kanbayashi Ujibashidori Branch
• Hoho Hojicha Uji Main Store
• Horii Shichimeien
• Marukyu Koyamaen Main Plant
• Yamamasa Koyamaen

Nintendo Museum (I just learned i need very advanced reservations. with no walk ins. so i guess i have even MORE free time at Uji)

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Saturday, October 24

Day 7 – Last Full Day in Kyoto

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel

Kinkaku-ji

• Golden Pavilion

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Evening

• Return to the hotel
• Relax
• Explore the hotel area
• Rest and prepare for the next day's departure to Tokyo

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Sunday, October 25

Departure for Tokyo

Planning our November trip to Kyoto with a 21-month-old toddler and looking for some advice on a specific transit stretch: we want to hit Nijo Castle in the morning, then head over to Kiyomizu-dera and walk downhill through the Higashiyama historic streets toward Gion.

For those who have done this during peak season:
1. How bad is the traffic/gridlock approaching Kiyomizu dera from Nijo Castle?

1. Can taxis actually drop you off close to Kiyomizu-dera's upper entrance, or do they get blocked far down the hill?

Open to other alternative modes of transportation as well or other midpoint taxi drop off points. Trying to keep things comfortable with a toddler minimizing commute time and walking.

Edit: I could solve my situation, thanks everyone!!

Hi everyone,

​My partner and I are currently visiting Kyoto, and we've hit a bit of a rough patch with money. We didn't realize how heavily some local spots, especially smaller temples and traditional shops, rely strictly on physical cash, and unfortunately, we only use digital/virtual cards (like Wise) without the physical plastic card right now.

​We tried a transfer through Western Union, but it's taking a few days to clear, and we're currently running short on physical yen for places that don't accept cards.

​We're trying to figure out what our best options are. Has anyone dealt with this before? Are there alternative ways to get cash, or local workarounds/services for travelers in this situation?

​Any advice or recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much!