Traveling to Japan around the time of Gion Matsuri
Hi, I have been struggling to decide how to plan out first half of my trip to Japan. We will be arriving to Osaka airport on 15.7. around 21:30. I assume the border control and luggage gonna take some time so lets say 23:00 out of airport.
Now my struggle begins. Do we stay night in Osaka or head straight to Kyoto? There will be the Gion Matsuri festival on 17th and I was thinking it would be nice to see it when we have the opportunity.
So what do you think is the best plan, try to get to Kyoto right after we arrive and base all our trips out of Kyoto? Including returning back to Osaka, Kobe, Nara,... Or do we just skip the festival and stay first few days in Osaka to avoid rushing somewhere right after we land.
I plan to stay around 7-8 days near the Kyoto area before se head north to Kanazawa, Takayama and finally Tokyo.
Thank you for the help!