My husband and I will be in Japan for 7 nights in April. We plan to divide our time among Tokyo and Kyoto but are also considering Nara, Hiroshima and Miya Jima. I'd appreciate your input regarding that proposed itinerary. I don't want to pack too much in a short amount of time but don't want to miss out on anything vital either. Thank you for your time.

Hi, chicagoahc -

Hiroshima is very moving, but with only 7 days, I'm not sure it makes sense for you to try to go there. If you do decide to go, it is easily paired with Miyajima.

Nara is easy to reach from Kyoto and has some wonderful sites, but whether it is worth it to you to spend a day there depends on your priorities for the many magnificent things to see in Kyoto and Nara.

Hope that helps!

with only 7 nights, u might even forego tokyo since kyoto is sooo wonderful
there's a lovely castle west of kyoto worth a 1/2 day visit too

with 7 nights you have fewer options.

Are you flying into NRT and out of KIX? Doing that would give you one more night in a city.

I would do 4 nights Tokyo and 3 nights in Kyoto then fly home from KIX.

Tokyo is a much larger city with lots to see spread out over a large area. The first day you will be recovering from jetlag and will probably not do much but adjust and adjust to the being in Asia.

Kyoto is a much smaller city with lots of interesting attractions but they are all much closer together. By the time you hit Kyoto you will be better in tune to the Japanese culture and can hit the city in stride.

I know others will advise more time in Kyoto but that's just my opinion. Either way, have fun!

Aloha!

<< I would do 4 nights Tokyo and 3 nights in Kyoto then fly home from KIX.>>
Ditto on this advice, except as HT predicted, I'm one of those who'd make it 3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto. It depends on what kind of "Japanese culture" you prefer. Four days in Kyoto would also allow a day trip to Nara or Hiroshima/Himeji if you really wanted it.

Miyajima is certainly not an absolute must visit.

Assuming you are fling in/out of Tokyo then you would have a 7-day JR Pass. In that case a trip to Hiroshima would not cost any more. It is possible to visit Hiroshima as a day trip from Kyoto. But that is leaning towards packing in too much. So, no, Hiroshima is not necessary.

Do visit Nara.