Day 1: Flying
Day 2: Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Fushimi Inara Taishi
Day 5: Himeji Castle
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Return
Japan
Did not expect to go back to Japan so soon, but having never been to Kyoto and so many friends raving about it on their very recent trips, couldn't say no to an offer to go so soon. Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and so many beautiful places in Kyoto alone, plus places nearby such as Himeji Castle, Nara (didn't make it... oops), and so many others that we didn't make it to.
Day 1: nice to have a non-stop flight for once for a trip to Asia.
Day 2: arrival in Tokyo (Narita) and the start of many train fiascos getting to Kyoto.
Day 3: Tempura Endo Yasaka for lunch, Shinmonzen Yonemura (Michelin 2*) for dinner, exploring Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, and many places in-between.
Day 4: tried and failed to go to Nara for the antler-cutting ceremony, ended up exploring Fushimi Inara Taishi.
Day 5: day trip to Himeji for Himeji Castle, and actually thought we'd figured out the Shinkansen.
Day 6: Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest on the outskirts of Kyoto, plus Kyoto Yakiniku Hiro Gion Yamana-an for dinner.
Day 7: return home via more train screw-ups (but a much better recovery than the first day).