Originally Posted by
abmj-jr
I'd suggest Okayama as an alternative to Osaka. There are several rewarding day trips from there, including the aforementioned Kurashiki. The local train from Okayama takes you straight to the historic area in about 15 minutes.
Both the famous Korakuen garden and Okayama Castle are right on the river so might be a bit cooler.
From Okayama, one could even do a day trip over the bridge to Shikoku on the Marine-liner.
This is interesting. I think I will spend overnight in Okayama. I will take the train there, drop my bag off at a hotel, do Naoshima/Inujima in one day and the second day do Okayama Castle/Garden; Kurashiki and Himeji.
Hiroshima, Miyajima, Mt. Koya and Amanohashidate are all very tempting, but I think I'll have to save them for a future trip.
As of right now it looks like:
20th - Arrive Osaka in evening
21st - Explore Osaka
22nd - Naoshima/Injima (overnight in Okayama)
23rd - Okayama Castle, Korakuen Gardens, Kurashiki and Himeji.
24th - Kobe/Nada
25th - Kinosaki (overnight there)
26th - Train to Tokyo (leave on the 30th)
Btw, very random, but Japan-Guide.com has been so unbelievably helpful. Big thumbs up to them!