Japan itinerary advice
 

My adult daughter and I are taking a short trip to Japan. We enjoy history, culture, nature, architecture and art. Our first draft itinerary:

Day 1 : arrive Tokyo mid afternoon
Day 2 : tour Tokyo
Day 3: day trip to Nikko or tour Tokyo
Day 4: tour Tokyo
Day 5: train Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7:day trip to Nara
Day 8: day trip to Nayoshima
Day 9: day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima
Day 10: Kyoto
Day 11: fly home

We have a 3:15 pm flight from Narita to New York on day 11. Is it better to fly from Osaka to Narita at 8 am (very limited flight options to get international flight) or take the train back to Tokyo?

We appreciate your advice regarding any of the day trips,etc.

Thank you so much,
Bonnie

I would do not do either Nayoshima or Hiroshima as day trips. Too much backtracking and too rushed. Finish up in Kyoto, then go to Nayoshima and then onto Hiroshima/Miyajima.

Head back to Tokyo late on Day 10 or, if you have to, very early on Day 11.

Please report back on Nayoshima. I have that on my short list for Japan.

I would rather base myself in Okayama or Hiroshima since you plan on day tripping there anyway. You could do Tokyo then head to Okayama/Hirshima and do Naoshima, Hiroshima, Miyajima before heading back to your time in Kyoto then back to Tokyo or whatever you decide.

You can do it the way you have it but you will be going back and forth on the same line to Kyoto when day tripping to Naoshima, Hiro and Miya that I would feel time wasted on your short time there. If you are not definite on all the day trips then I can see staying in Kyoto.

There are connecting flights from either KIX(Kansai) or ITM(Osaka) to NRT and travel back home but someone else with more air knowledge will chime in soon on your flight situations I am sure.

Aloha!

that would be KIX

I agree with lcuy and ht that your current itinerary is too rushed and too much day tripping. Since you say you arrive in Japan in the mid-afternoon, what about going directly to Kyoto and starting your visit there, then go on to Naoshima, Hiroshima, Miyajima and ending up your visit in Tokyo....then no worries about getting to your flight home on time.

You can think about staying over in Naoshima - it is supposed to be wonderful and then a night in Miyajima...

I'm planning to visit Naoshima from Takamatsu, a ferry ride away, and don't think I'll have enough time...lol....

And Hiroshima and Miyajima have a lot to offer as well....

When are you going?