Originally Posted by
Smiley90
I honestly think 7 days in Tokyo and 5 days in Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe is a bad choice - even if 2 of those days are at Tokyo Disney.
Tokyo is a big city but there, IMHO, isn't THAT much to actually "see" there. I've been twice, the first time just to Tokyo and the second time Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto and I enjoyed the latter two cities much more.
Further - in Kyoto, most sights are fairly spaced out so it's inherently harder/longer to get around the city and requires more time. If I had 10 days between Tokyo/Kyoto/Kobe/Osaka (excluding the 2 days at Tokyo Disney) I'd probably do:
2 days Tokyo
2 days Kyoto Arashiyama
3 days Kyoto "Downtown"/East
2 days Osaka
1 day Kobe (I haven't been so I can't really speak for this)
Since it's a honeymoon, have you considered staying at an Onsen? There's a lot of really good ones in Kyoto that you could spend at least one night with, too - just for the experience (and the amazing food).
Osaka is a joy particularly for eating, there are a TON of small, very accessible, amazing restaurants. I wish I had more time there than the 2 days we spent.
Thanks for the input. We want to have a hub in each place we visit and would rather not relocate every few days. We could probably add another day or so to Kyoto and just take that out of the remaining end Tokyo days. Given that it's winter, we may put those days into Hokkaido.
I have heard both sides of the Tokyo vs Kyoto/Osaka preference and I don't want to discount either side. I know I have at least 5 days worth of stuff in Tokyo. Same goes for Kyoto/Osaka.
As for ryokan/onsen. We are staying at Takinoya in Hokkaido for at least one night and I'm planning a day trip to Hakone. Certainly going to try onsen all over as I enjoy mineral baths.