That's a very busy trip! But if you are going, you need to see all you can, right?! You have worked hard planning this. Quite a bit of time spent traveling, but it will be worth it unless people get too tired. Changing hotels every night is tiring, but you do have some double nights.

Are you staying overnight in Miyajima, or where?

As for an extra night in Kyoto or back to Tokyo, I really don't know. However, I have heard people say how much they liked Kyoto, and since you were already in Tokyo 2.5 days, maybe an extra night in Kyoto. Could be restful too.

I'm not familiar with everything you mentioned but two things I liked which you could put on your "maybe if time" list:

Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine of 1,000 torii. It's slightly uphill walking, not bad. In Kyoto.

In Nara, the Todaiji Temple is most impressive. It's huge with a very large Buddah.

Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto is also a wonderful temple, very high with a stunning view. You can look up photos. It is an uphill walk though. (I'm thinking of your MIL since I'm a senior too. Two of our group didn't feel up to walking up to it. There are shops right there, so they browsed the shops while we walked up.)

I know you want a balanced trip, not just temple after temple, but they are all different and memorable.

When you booked your JR passes, did they send you a map? I have a good map. If you want it, message me. I can mail it to you.

I certainly hope I have not steered you wrong in any way. I'm not expert, just went there and loved it! You are leaving soon! So soon!!! You must be very excited. I'm happy for you.

PS If I don't reply to your posts, please message me in case I miss seeing it, ok?

When you go to Nara is Todaiji Temple open early in the morning? Do you have to take a bus to it or is it walking distance?

When you go to the temples are they only open between certain hours or do you just walk around the outside? Sorry for all the questions, I have never been to a temple.

I am not sure if we are staying on Miyajima, but I think we are. I want to spend an extra day in Kyoto. My children LOVE city vacations. They just love big cities so that makes me want to spend time in Tokyo for them. These decisions are so tricky.

Socks- how do I message you? I haven't seen or used that before.

I just booked a ryokan - I may have spelled that wrong in Miyajima. I was concerned as many have communal showers and I absolutely will not do that. I paid extra and found a room with a private shower. I am non-negotiable regarding showering in private that's where the line is drawn for me hahaha.

OMG that's terrific! Are y'all going to sleep on the floor? Wow, that's going to be really....well....Japanese! And the food, will they feed you? I remember you have dietary preferences.

Hi Socks! I don't know if they serve breakfast, I didn't even look. We will be sleeping on the floor to my husband's dismay. He wanted a hotel in Hiroshima, but I wanted to relax and not have to watch the clock for the ferry so I talked him into an authentic experience- hahaha. I liked how you talked about walking around Miyajima at night and shared that with him. It looks like the Torri Gate is lit up at night too. That seems like a really peaceful evening. Our trip is so hectic that I think this will be a nice reprieve. My daughter is a vegan. She is going to have to somehow make do- hahaha. I don't want to eat unusually strange things myself so I have to make do too. It will be good I need to lose a few pounds :)

Did I talk about Miyajima at night? I don't remember that, but it should be nice.

Hauling food doesn't sound like a good idea, but maybe a couple of lightweight pre-packaged items would be handy. Or pick them up at 7-11.

Hi Socks! You told me about walking at night in Miyajima and how peaceful it was with the fireflies. I don't think we'll get to see any because it most likely won't be warm enough but nonetheless, it sounds wonderful!

Oh that was at Miyama, in rural Japan, with the thatched roofed houses. Names are very similar. Nevertheless, I looked up pictures of Miyajima at night, and it will be beautiful.

Maybe when you are the ryokan you can ask for double mats for anyone who is concerned about sleeping well, or maybe they have a softer one which could go on top. I'm not sure double mats could help though. I've suffered sleeping on floors, on sofas, but I slept ok on the mats. I think we spent 3 nights on mats. This will be a terrific adventure for the "kids," and they will never forget it. The grown-ups will survive and can sleep in a real bed the next night.

I am excited for my children to have an authentic experience. Thank you so much for helping me :) I promise I will post pics and tell you all about everything. My husband is away on business so I have to wait to plan more. I really want to take a rickshaw to Arashiyama. Did you go to Arashiyama? I can't wait to go! We have been under some stress from a construction project so I can't wait to escape. Everything is wrapping up with the construction, it's been stressful.

Well, I hope I helped and didn't steer you wrong in any way. I have never heard of Arashiyama. I looked it up and read a little. It will be beautiful. You have less than a month to go. Are the kids excited at all? I would guess not as they are busy with school, etc. I hope none of you get too tired with the pace, everyone stays healthy from now on so you are all feeling good when you go. Bye for now.....s

Socks- you helped me so much!!! Thank you! I am concerned about getting too tired as I get fussy when overly tired, but I have to be on my best behavior as my Mother-in-law will be there ;) It's been challenging to plan as my husband is gone 85% of the time on business, but we're getting there.