Itineray Xmas time..Tokyo +Kyoto+?????
 

We will be spending Dec. 18-26 in Japan..thought of Tokyo, Kyoto..what other city/destinations should I add? We love historical sites and outdoors. Have been to Yokohama and Kamakura already. Thanks!

Historical sites? What comes to mind first is Nagasaki and not just for the event in 1945. Nagasaki has a long history and interesting history.

Hiroshima has a famous historical site.

Osaka castle is fairly prominent in Japanese history.

Takayama and Shirakawago have some traditional sites that are worth visiting. Not historical, exactly, but preserved and/or reconstructed structures from a couple of centuries ago.

But Kyoto and Nara hold a lot of the treasures of Japan and both cities are important to Japanese history. That is an understatement. When you learn about the sites in Kyoto you can at the same time learn about their place in history. Places like Todaiji and Nijojo are both cultural and historical sites.

Kyoto is a must if you love historical sites and Kiyomizudera Temple has the added bonus of great views. If you want to see a great Japanese Castle, Himeji (featured in the Bond film "You Only Live Twice") is an easy day trip by train from Kyoto.

Be sure to check out the outstanding fold-out Xmas Cards on sale in Tokyo dept stores - the most beautiful Xmas cards in the world! Tokyu Hands' selection is particularly impressive. Other Japanese Xmas things to do: Xmas lights oputside Takashimaya Times Square and, of course, KFC on Xmas Day.

Hiroshima was a great place to visit also. We went to the Abomb dome and Peace Park and then to the Shukkie-en Gardens. Across the bay from Hiroshima is the Island of Miyajima and it is beautiful. it will be cold in December, but I'd still go for a short while.

Make sure you take a side trip to Nara from Kyoto, or even spend a night in Nara. Nara is really amazing. Also, you should see Nikko, a day trip from Tokyo - amazing, colorful temples and shrines.

If you are interested in history, you absolutely should visit Hiroshima. Contact the World Friendship Center (they are online) and they can set up a goodwill guide of the Atomic Bomb Museum for free. Also, they can sometimes arrange a meeting with an atomic bomb survivor. Given most of them are quite old, you will not be able to have this experience much longer. This is also free. Hiroshima is the site of the first atomic bomb attack in the history of the world - can't get much more historical than that!

I've been to Nagasaki and really enjoyed it, but it is a little further and given the rest of what you want to do, I would probably skip Nagasaki for other priorities.

Also, make sure you take a day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima. The towering torii is one of the most amazing sites in all Asia.

Thanks to ALL for the wonderful suggestions!