Originally Posted by i2fantsiz4
Kyoto is much more 'authentic' Japan than Tokyo is.
Sure, Kyoto has a greater number of authentic, historical buildings and cultural assets... but that's not the only 'authentic' Japan.
Tokyo is an authentic Japanese city, with authentic Japanese people ... doing authentic Japanese things ... in authentically Japanese ways.
[And BTW - Kyoto also offers a lot of totally unauthentic experiences. (People dressing up as geisha, who aren't really geisha / Movie-set recreations of old Japanese streets / stores selling plastic samurai swords / etc. etc.). ]
Originally Posted by i2fantsiz4
Himeji Castle is amazing, but there isn't much else to see around there. You're right to just do a day trip there.
I agree that Himeji can be visited in one day.
In addition to Himeji castle, I would also recommend visiting Engyoji temple, which is 30 minutes from the city center by bus:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3503.html
It can be a very peaceful place - quite a contrast from the more crowded temples that you will see in the cities.