You have a whole lot to do while in Kyoto and not much in Osaka. I recommend cutting Osaka to 3 days and adding 2 days to Kyoto, so you can see things in Kyoto itself. Go to American Mura and Shinsaibashi on Day 1, and Tenjinbashisuji after Kaiyukan.

Consider using Kansai Wide Area pass for day 7-11

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_wide/

Seki is not covered by this pass but you only need to pay extra for the section of Tsuge - Seki.

Your Osaka plan also looks over-relaxed to me. Don't know where have you visited in your last trip. Consider give 2 more days to Kyoto as suggested by Dr Shibuyakko. Alternatively, use KWA pass to visit Himeji and/or Okayama/Kurashiki if you haven't done so. They would be very relaxed and easy day trips from Osaka. Use the KWA pass for the most expensive 5 days (consecutively) in your itinerary.

Hello Don D, Dr Shibuyakko & Rinn_Melbourne,

Thanks for all your input.

We have covered most of the popular destinations such as Osaka castle, Kiyomizu Dera, Kinkaku-ji and Arashimaya during last trip and would like to visit small charming villages and post war towns in the country side this time round.

Kurashiki in Okayama fits well into our theme. Do you think it's worth staying in Okayama for 1 or 2 nights in replacement of the number of days allocated to Osaka? Also, is the route between Osaka & OKurashiki covered by KWA pass?

What's good about Osaka is it's a better base than Kyoto for traveling to other places for day trips, such as Okayama, because of distance. Another interesting half day or so trip is Himeji Castle. Are you willing to rent a car and drive for a few days? If so, consider Awajishima and Shikoku as interesting, more out of the way places.

Kurashiki is covered by KWA.

There are so many things you can do when base in Okayama so would think few nights there is great. :)

Agree on #5. :) Also I could recommend Naoshima and Kojima.

For Kojima, Jeans street and Mt Washuzan observatory. The view of Seto Ohashi from the observatory is amazing. On the way to the observatory, the little harbour town Shimotsui worth a stop.

And if you are interested in the Seto Great Bridge, JR Honshi company runs 'Seto-Ohashi Bridges Sky Tour' on most of the weekends from April to November. A really great and rare chance to see the bridge from different angle, if you have no issue with stairs and height...:)

https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/906

https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/6281

https://www.chushikokuandtokyo.org/spot_14/

https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/912

https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/english/miniiko/seto/skytour/

Hi Nishin91,

We are not driving so will give Awajishima & Shikoku a miss. And we have decided to stay 2 nights in Okayama. Hence, will visit Kojima. If we have time, will cover Himeji castle as well.

Hi Rinn_Melbourne,

Thanks for the info shared. They are very useful in helping to plan out our trip. Arigato 😊!