You got any places that you would recommend in a heartbeat? I have half of my itinerary nailed down (Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Nagano, Takayama, Kyoto). I was going to skip Osaka as nothing as actually grabbed me , but researching it a bit more thoroughly it seems their are actually loads of good day trips (Asuaka (I like history), Mount Koya, plus Nara would be easier from their) which would cut into my time there a little bit. I was going to go to Kyushu after Naoshima (I like art) and some time spent in Okayama (again mainly day trips) and Hiroshima/Miyajima but I wonder if I'm selling my time in Kyushu a little short so I might turn back on myself and leave Kyushu for another time. I kind of want to fit Nikko in as well before I leave.
Man there are too many places I want to visit. Going for two months, but I like to travel slowly and enjoy ambling around. You think it would be enough but it isn't haha!
Have you been to Japan before?
If you go to Koya, visit Enryakuji too (is not open in winter) , is like 40 mins from Kyoto sta coming up from Shiga. Also Ise shirne and Izumo taisha are super special, quite unique and not at all like your normal temple complex.
I would not skip Osaka unless you have been there before.
For pretty castles, if you are into that, visit Himeji, Matsumoto castle are some of the most striking.
In Kyoto you should visit off the beat temples and what not. Not only you will see very few tourists but if you are lucky maybe not even anyone at all and they will be yours to admire without the crowds. For example, last week I visited Komioji, Biodojin and Taikokuji and they were empty.
Kyushu, well of course Fukuoka is a must but you dont need that many days there, Nagasaki is gorgeous and well worth the visit.
If you whant something more specific let me know. I highly recommend spend more and stay at ryokans if the area you visit have them.
I'm going back to Japan in April (because we have to go back..) and on a whim I booked Kanazawa for a few days. Any strong recommendations while I'm there? I haven't done much research yet, but the wife and I are always up for anything.
If it is you first time there, visit the tourist places, they are quite beautiful, the castle of the Maeda, the gardens, etc. When you go to the Higashiyama area, visit the gold leaf museum, is small but wroth it and very close to the area and for what ever reason not many people visit it. Maybe consider since you will up there, to visit one day Toyama city, it was quite beautiful and close to Kanazawa.