<p>I was in Tokyo for business a few months ago, and now have the opportunity to go back in late February / early March. I will be going with my business partner, who has not yet been to Tokyo (or anywhere in Japan, for that matter).</p>
<p>We’d like to tack on a few days either before or after our business. I think 1 - 2 days sightseeing in Tokyo should be enough based on my recent visit. But I have been charged with planning the rest of the time; Kyoto seems like the obvious next place. I don’t think I’m as interested in Osaka since I understand it to be just another big city. </p>
<p>We are up for something off the beaten path, but we can’t spend too long – as it will be our own money, not our client’s :-)</p>
<p>Japans not too big especially on a fast train. Himeji is four hours from Tokyo on the Shinkansen, 1 1/2 hours from Kyoto, and about 2 hours from Hiroshima. I agree it’s gorgeous. We were lucky to be there for the height of cherry blossoms and the surrounding gardens were full of slightly drunken Japanese and the whiff of beer everywhere. The gardens are quite beautiful: [Himeji</a> Travel: Kokoen Garden](<a href=“http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3502.html]Himeji”>Kokoen Garden - Himeji Travel)</p>
<p>I also think Hiroshima is well worth a visit.</p>
<p>Train travel in Japan is very, very easy at least if you spend long enough to get a rail pass before you go. May be very easy even if you don’t, but don’t have that experience. Our pass got us on the normal Shinkansen, but not the superfast one.</p>
<p>Bullet train btw Tokyo & Nagano less than 2 hours. If u want to ski, there are a bunch of English language websites like snowjapan and powderhounds.</p>
<p>You can also go visit the snow monkey park near nagano & see those highly evolved little guys soaking themselves in the hotspring-- very civilized. you can google snow monkey park.</p>