We go to Japan every couple years to visit my in-laws. We have been to Kyoto twice but the kids were young and have not always been able to see as much as I would like.

My in-laws are outside of Tokyo and so we have been to Tokyo quite a bit.

Now my mother in law is in a nursing home and to be honest we have 4-5 days we can travel beginning of April after we spend a few days with her.

Curious: back to Kyoto (I do love it there). Or do we try going down south? My kids love natural beauty and the idea of snorkeling sounds great. Any ideas for a place to go? Less touristy areas than Miyako?

I will say we did NOT care for Takayama... gorgeous train ride but wish we had just gone to Kyoto. Felt like a tourist trap.

Thanks for opinions......

Enjoyed an overnight in Miyajima in April some years back - it's neat when all the day trippers left. Nice time of year for that. We took the train from Kyoto and hit Himeji on the way over and Hiroshima on the way back