Hi! I just start planning my trip to Japan for October 13. I'm going for 12 days. I need some advice on my itinerary especially transportation-wise. We are trying to back track and start our trip south and work our way up since we are flying out of Narita. Here's what we got so far:

Day 1 - Tokyo
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Tokyo day trip to Kamakura
Day 4 - Take the train to Hiroshima/Overnight in Hiroshima
Day 5 - Take train to Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto
Day 7 - Day trip to Himeji from Kyoto
Day 8 - Day trip to Nara from Kyoto
Day 9 - Takayama [stay in Ryokan]
Day 10 - Day trip to Shirakawa-go/Head back to Tokyo
Day 11 - Tokyo
Day 12 - Travel back to U.S.

Any advice? We are really trying to get as many side trips as possible.

Thanks in advance!

Are you aware that Himeji Castle is under construction, with much of it under scaffolding, (until 2015, I think).

So it's not worth seeing? I thought maybe you could catch a glimpse through the construction.

I'll be interested myself in hearing just what the Himeji scaffolding looks like. However, if it's anything like the scaffolding that was over the Ortakoy Mosque last August in Istanbul, it's not the metal scaffolding you can see through but rather, something that looked like a giant canvas bag had been place over the mosque.

I'm considering a day trip to Osaka instead of Himeji from Kyoto as well.

I can't say anything about what you can or cannot see. I only read about the construction online in researching my upcoming trip. I was going to include Himejii Castle, but as a result of what I read, I am not. Perhaps if you post a seperate question about the construction here or on TA you might get some feedback. BTW, I read that part of the gate of one of the main temples in Nikko is also under construction, but I have decided to go there anyway.

Progress on tourist sites in Japan.

http://www.japan-guide.com/event/construction.html

Aloha!

Thanks HT for that website. It appears that Himeji's main keep is completely covered by a new roof and curtains.
They are recommending Hikone for castle fans instead. It looks like a smaller Himeji, but is still quite nice, and just halfway between Nagoya and Kyoto.

I'd read that Himej was undergoing restoration, but a photo is worth a thousand words. Thanks for the link, HT.

For a castle visit I'd suggest Nijo Castle right in Kyoto.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

My advice would be to spend more time in Kyoto.

October is a great time to visit Japan.
Have fun

http://www.himejijo-syuri.jp/en/index.html

Even though the castle is basically covered by scaffolding, it is possible to visit and see the work going on - if someone is interested in that....you need reservations...I can imagine it is fascinating, but probably not for a first time visitor - I have seen some documentaries on NHK World tv and they seems to use the original methods of construction....

kickmuri, how important is Kamakura to you, compared to Nara or a castle visit? Are you a temple person, with a Kamakura itinerary that goes beyond visiting the Daibutsu?

I think you need day 7 for Kyoto.

Definitely visit Nijo castle, but itis not really a substitute for Himeji.

Thanks HT for the link. That was very helpful.

mrwunrfl - Thanks for the feedback. Kamakura is high on our list due to the Daibutsu. Most likely, due to the Himeji construction, we will spend day 7 in Kyoto. Possibly make a day trip to Osaka.

I'm asking if you have a full day planned in Kamakura besides the Daibutsu because it will cost you between 2 and 3 hours to get there and back, depending on where in Tokyo you are staying.

The destination is HASE(KANAGAWA) if you use hyperdia.com for train info.

If you do decide to visit the Kamakura, you can take the train from Tokyo to Kita Kamakura, visit some temples there and on the way down the hill to Kamakura, take a short train ride to Hase for the Daibutsu (and maybe Hasadera), and then go back to Kamakura for your return train to Tokyo. Just a thought!

kja, I knew you were going to post about the virtues of Kamakura!

> kja, I knew you were going to post about the virtues of Kamakura!

I didn't intend to post about Kamakura's virtues, mrwunrfl - I was trying to be neutral about that! Seriously! I enjoyed my day there, but it didn't seem to me as special as some other places I visited. But that's all relative to what else one sees, one's priorities, etc., isn't it?

I only meant to comment on options for visiting it should the OP choose to do so, without commenting on whether the OP should/should not do so.

Sorry. I saw a comment some time ago from a poster who loved Kamakura and connected that to you. You are right, it is all relative.

Thanks for the link, HT. Himeji is now officially off my Kyoto itinerary. As it is, I'm most looking forward, castle-wise, to Matsumoto's anyway.

When I took my first trip to Japan I stayed in Tokyo for a week and did Kamakura as a day trip - I spent the whole day walking around and didn't even get to one of the most famous temples as it closed at 4pm - can't remember which one - but the Daibutsu was quite cool and a nice ride on the little Enoden train....otoh, if I had a tight itinerary I might omit it....