I wish I could convince myself to go to Bunny Island. =(

Not from Tokyo i would say, or at least not if you intend to take in all the major sights.

The majority of the "major sights" in Nara are concentrated in an orderly and compact manner within Nara park.
It is very typical to take in Nara as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, why not from Tokyo? Leave Tokyo at 6am, arrive just after 9am and most of the major sights in Nara are closed by 5pm anyway.

I'm not urging anyone to go to Kansai from Tokyo as a day trip, but if the itch has to be scratched then Nara is a perfectly feasible and "doable" option.

What is it you feel that can't be "done" in Nara by someone who will be there between 10am and 5pm in one day? Time wise it's only about 40 minutes further from Tokyo station than Nikko.

I guess we might have a different idea of the "major sights" which, from my side should include Yakushiji and Toshodaiji as well as the reconstruction of the old palace all of which are quite distant from Nara park.

Those who are VERY keen could start at Nishinokoyo station, take in Yakushiji, walk up to Toshodaiji and then get in a taxi and onto Nara park.
By sitting on the right side of the train when returning to Kyoto on the Kintetsu line one can see Heijo palace on the way back.

That's a bit like saying that if you have a window seat and the right flight (direction) and are lucky with the weather, you can see Mt Fuji on your flight to/from Japan;)

There's at least one less "if" in the case of the train. On the rails, you can be sure that your train's route will take you past the view. But that's beside the point that, I think, LapLap is trying to make ...

Quite so. My answer was based on the premise that a day trip can only be considered worthwhile and successful if one has ticked off every single "major sight" (or UNESCO World Heritage Site in the case of Nara). It's not a premise I agree with, nor is it a style of tourism I myself have any interest in, I have simply indicated how this can reasonably be achieved.

Not to mention Horyuji.

Day trip to Ikaruga then, plenty there for a full and satisfying day trip.

I meant Nara city, NOT Nara prefecture.

A one day trip is fine for Kamakura (Hachimangu Shinto and Zen) shrines and the great Daibutsu (I met Lady JDiver there Sep 1965), check the views from Hasedera (Jodo sect, on a clearish day) take the Enoden tram to Enoshima to see the touristy and enjoy some sea breezes. One temple, Ankokuronji, was founded by Nichiren. It's a nice, active day, and a lot to see. Take the Shonan monorail back to Ofuna to connect with the main line and enjoy some other views. Link.

Link.

We did this when we met (met on a walkng and bus tour) and again on our 45th anniversary. The Kamakura Daibutsu (huge cast Amida Buddha) hasn't changed much since 1252, and not a bit since 1965. (Enoshima, a lot!) :D

Tsk, tsk, tsk!

A tour of the daibutsu is hardly complete without taking in the literally major sights at Nihon ji temple in Nokogiriyama (25 minute local train from Kamakura to Kurihama - 290yen - a 40 minute ferry ride across the bay to Hamakanaya - 700yen, then a ropeway to Nihon ji temple - 500yen - or hike up there)

The return trip from Hamakanaya to Tokyo station, staying on the Chiba side, takes 2 hours.

I know that flyertalkers are renowned for squeezing as much as possible out of a trip, but can we agree that if you meet your life partner at the Daibutsu, the tour is complete? Seems kind of churlish to suggest otherwise. ;)

My tongue was firmly within cheek during that last comment.

On a personal note, as someone who met and then fell in love with my own life partner whilst on the Hakone circuit, sure I can agree.

Hi everyone, I'm going to be in Tokyo at the end of March and planning to take a day trip too. Currently deciding between Kamakura and Hakone but not sure which one to pick. I need to be back in Tokyo that evening (dinner reservations at 9 PM) but I don't mind leaving early in the morning to see as much as possible at either place.

I know it overly simplifies them, but is Kamakura VS Hakone kind of like cultural sights VS nature sights? Can I see a lot in Hakone in just a day or will it feel rushed? If I go to Hakone, I'd definitely want to visit the Open Air Museum--is that doable in an hour or two? Also, does the weather at the end of March factor into choosing between them?