Hikone or Gifu/ itinerary help
 

I'm leaving Kyoto on the 13th and I rendez-vous with relatives in Takayama on the afternoon of the 15th. I'm thinking that I might visit the Miho Museum on the 14th and then stay overnight somewhere along the train route to Takayama. Hikone comes to mind for its castle(althought we will have visited the castle at Himeji). Gifu is another option. Or perhaps someone has another recommendation? Thanks. I've almost got all my ducks in order.

I haven't been to Hikone, but I see that it is only 5 minutes by JR local from Maibara station on the Tokaido shinkansen line. Gifu is on both the shinkansen line and the Takayama line.

The Gifu castle is perched on top of a hill with a grand view. The castle is a reconstruction and has some interesting artifacts on display. It is small castle and it is a bit of hike getting up to it, even after taking the cable car (but if you managed to get to the top of Himeji-jo then you will be ok).

Not far from Gifu is a nice castle in Inuyama. It is a bit out of the way for you, on the Meitetsu line.

You could make your stop at Gero Onsen.

If you decide to stop in Gifu, you might consider watching ukai (cormorant fishing) along the Nagara River just after sunset - see www.gifucvb.or.jp/en/kankou/ukai/index.shtml

If you decide to stop in Inuyama, you might consider visiting Urakuen and/or Meiji Mura in addition to the castle - see www.japan-guide.com/e/e3350.html

Hope that helps!

we went to Hikon castle in october, and matsumoto castle - to be honest, after himeji, we could have skipped all other castles and spend more time on Kyoto temples or even the takayama outdoor musuem.

i don't think a stop in hikone is worth it once you've visited himeji - it's the BEST castle out of the top 5 in japan!

The Urakuen garden is nice and it is on the way from the station to the castle. Next door to Urakuen is a hotel. I stopped there for a soak and would stay there if I went back to Inuyama.

Thanks for the feedback. Lilipad, thanks for the forthright castle review (husband will appreciate not being taken on extra castle excursions if we're seen the best!) Do you think the Takayama outdoor museum is worth visiting if we're going to spend a night in Shirakawago?
mrwunrfl, thanks for the hotel advice and comments on Urakuen. Tempting.