I am planning a 14 day trip to Japan in mid July (my first visit). There seems to be so many amazing places but we can't see them all. I will be based mainly in Tokyo and Kyoto (and the last few nights on Mt. Koya and Beppu). When deciding how many nights in Tokyo and Kyoto I am trying to take in times for day trips. But which ones? I am considering Hakone, Nikko or Kamakura from Tokyo and Nara and Osaka from Kyoto. Also, after Mt. Koya is Himeji Castle worth a detour? Please advise! Thanks so much!

We are also heading to Japan. We are planning a long day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima and want to stop off first at Himeji. Is 3 hours enough to get a feel for the castle and perhaps go to the top?

Hi mintchip,

Can't help with the Tokyo side trips but we recently went to Nara and Arashiyama as side trips from Kyoto and they are not to be missed. Walking through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama was one of the highlights of our trip.

Have fun.

Himeji Castle was a highlight for us...especially if you have a nice day...it's absolutely beautiful. I do think three hours is probably enough, including walking there from the train station. You could consider Miyajima too. I'm not sure I'd bother with Osaka and would spend that time in Kyoto instead, but I didn't go to Osaka...I'm just basing that on what I read.

> I am considering . . . Nara and Osaka from Kyoto

These are 2 very different destinations! I loved Nara, but did not stop in Osaka, so I can't compare them.

> after Mt. Koya is Himeji Castle worth a detour?

If you mean should you visit both, they are very different. If you mean should you visit Himeji en route from Mt. Koya, it depends on where you are headed. I would think Himeji makes more sense as a separate day trip from Kyoto.

> Is 3 hours enough to get a feel for the castle and perhaps go to the top?

Yes, 3 hours should be enough to get to and from the castle from the train station, visit the grounds and tour the castle, and perhaps (depending on your pace) also visit the lovely gardens next door.

Hope this helps!

Bookmarking

Hi Mintchip,
Where are you from? Do you know everything in Japan is very expensive?
You have to planning well otherwise you will spend an unnecessary expenses. Do you know anybody there that you can help you? Have you try google map? Check some information from google. Hope will help you a bit.

How far is Arashiyama from Kyoto? Considering Nara, Himeji, and Arashiyama, are any two of these possible to visit in one day? Thanks a lot.

Yes, you could go to Himeji for the castle and then Arashiyama in one (very full) day.

Get an early start, and go straight by train to Himeji, go straight to the castle (assuming that is all you wnat to do in Himeji), get a train back to Kyoto Station, At the station, get a train on the JR Sagano line that goes to Arashiyama (15 min.), and get to Arashiyama at some point in the afternoon.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

I don't think you could go to Nara and either Himeji or Arashiyama in one day. I believe Nara has too much to offer and requires at least a day trip of its own.

I would also recommend going to the Miho Museum from Kyoto. I would definitely make Osaka a last choice.

I just checked the link for Arashiyama, thanks so much. Would you recommend the boat and/or train tour? My understanding is that the boat tour reaches Kyoto in the end, so, maybe, we can get back to Kyoto that way.

Hi, Gina_07 -

Perhaps you aren't aware that Arashiyama is part of Kyoto.

I guess, my question is incorrect then. I thought it's countryside but very close to Kyoto, since we were speaking of it as a side trip from Kyoto.

Mintchip, it seems like you're getting answers here to questions you didn't ask. I assume you're staying overnight at a temple at Koyasan, then travelling by train to Beppu. Then you go back to Tokyo to return home. Right?
If this itinerary is correct, then Himeji is a stopover en route to Beppu--not a side trip from Kyoto. Yes, it's worth it, and Hiroshima would be too. I'd recommend Hiroshima over Beppu, and Koyasan over Himeji. But you didn't ask that, did you ;-)

Just got back from Japan yesterday. Had a fantastic time!!! We did Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. We enjoyed everything. To pick one favorite place it would have to be Hakone ( 3 days ). Maybe it's because we are volcano people. The ropeway to the boiling valley and getting eggs cooked in the volcano wasters was great fun as was the indoor spa/hot springs/water park at the hotel in Hakone. The outdoor museum was fantastic. Go early morning on a weekday. Kyoto was beautiful. Side trip to Hiroshima is a great experience. Tokyo is big and busy, but certainly lots to do. Near spotless country. Carry a small litter bag with you and don't expect to find many places on the streets to dispose of trash. Trains were great, easy to use even with the language problem. Save your Disney money for Disney World trip to Florida. Japan IS expensive, hyperexpensive is a better word. 1,000 yen ($10.00) bills fly out of your money belt like pocket change.