Originally Posted by
abmj-jr
Aren't you staying in Kyoto? If so, just go there for your photos. KIX is not near Osaka, it is out in the bay on a man-made island. It only takes 15 minutes longer to get to Kyoto than to Osaka.
Osaka Castle is ok for exterior photos but isn't really on anyone's list of sights. It is a modern, concrete reconstruction of the real thing.
For street photography, I'd suggest Kyoto Station and the streets around it.
Sorry, just looked at a map of the train route over to Kyoto. Looks like I'll stick with some evening photography around there and a snack or something by the hotel.
Just doing a tad more research. Is there a JR train from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka (that the wide pass will work on)? The plan is to purchase that in KIX then use the ICOCA card in Kyoto/Hiroshima. As far as I'm seeing the only additional cost will be the round trip Okayama/Hiroshima? Also, how easy is that going to be to do on separate tickets? Would I just purchase Okayama/Hiroshima at Shin-Osaka station and stay on the train all the way through, including Okayama, or would I have to get off then catch the next train?
Edit - Looks like there is a JR line I can take to Shin-Osaka.