Kyoto would be a long day (and the rail fare is about 27,000 yen (around US$250) round trip. Nara would be another half hour. Kawagoe is, I think, only mildly interesting.

My recommendations in this order:

1. Nikko--spectacular temples, awesome trees, maybe the bus ride up hair-pin turns to Kegon waterfall.

2. Kamakura (start at Kitakamakura)

For only 1 day, it's not worth going all the way to Kyoto or Nara.

Kamakura is good, but besides the Daibutsu Buddha, it's mainly temples and shrines. Maybe you can combine it with the lovely island of Enoshima or an afternoon in Yokohama on your way back to Tokyo.

Kawagoe is nice, nicknamed "Little Edo", it gives you a feel of old Japan without going to Kyoto. Of special interest is the Kashiya Yokocho candy alley. Kawagoe is only about 30 min train from Tokyo and if you go early, you can be back to Tokyo for lunch.

If you want a more intense day-trip, consider Hakone or Nikko/Chuzenji-ko.

I agree that my first pick of Kyoto is just not practical, however I would really consider Nikko for the day. Catch the train from Tokyo and then consider hiring a small car from one of the hire car offices near the station for the day, this will give you greatest flexibility and coverage to see lots.

Annaroo

Now they are talking about leaving for Kyoto on Friday night and staying until Saturday night. Still not recommended?

I am considering staying in Tokyo the most, but just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake.

Thanks to all of you. I love these boards.

I'm back.

Just found out we can leave around 4 or 5 pm on Friday night and return Saturday night. Would any of you change your mind or still say it's not enough time.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate all your help.

Even by the fastest NOZOMI Shinkansen, it's more than 2 hrs. from Tokyo to Kyoto. It would be dark by the time you reach Kyoto, so basically you only get Sat. to go around the city. Kyoto deserves at least a few days (if not more) to take in all sights within the city, not to mention there are other worthy side-trips.

If you can stay a night outside Tokyo on Fri., I suggest you do that in one of the lovely onsen ryokans in Hakone area. On Sat. you can do the Hakone classic loop course before returning to Tokyo.

Or else, spend the night in Nikko. On Sat. morning, take the bus to beautiful Chuzenji-ko and Kegon Falls, come back in the afternoon and visit Tosho-gu and other Nikko sights before heading back to Tokyo.

Thank you for your reply. I am so ignorant about Japan that I need to read about what all these places you mentioned are. I don't even know what a ryoken is. I just don't have much time to do it. I usually thrive on researching trips, but this is all happening so fast and I am so busy at work this time of year.

get some ideas about onsen ryokan here:

…nytimes.com/2008/01/20/travel/20next.html…

www.japan-guide.com/e/e2292_ryokan.html

Don't worry about your trip, just post your queries here, there are lots of helpful folks around.

Thank you!

I am popping on and offline really fast to check replies and try and read a little about the country. Looks like ryokens require a bathing suit...he he

Well, I think I am more interested in historical sites. I'm not really into girly stuff even though I'm female. Not a shopper and not into soaking in baths/spas/hot springs. I like different stuff that is unique to a country but a little active. For example, shark cage diving in South Africa was very neat. Machu Piccu in Peru was great. Anything like that except Mt. Fuji (no time) in Japan? Sorry, I know my questions are annoying?

I'm sure lots of people will beg to be differed about the onsen experience in Japan. It's UNIQUE to Japan. I'm not a big fan, but a trip to Japan without a dip is a real pity. FYI, 99% of the time, you are not allowed to wear a swimsuit. People in Japan would go as far as saying going into an onsen with swimsuit is not a true onsen experience.

When we went to South Africa we just did Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kruger National Park, Cape Town and the resort of Sun City/Lost City. Where can we go shark cage diving ? It sounds exciting even for an old man like me, can you provide more info. ? Thanks.

Yes, the history and beauty of Machu Picchu is unmatched. Did you go to Lake Titicaca ? My wife was experiencing slight altitude sickness in Cuzco so we had to scrape that part of our trip.

Sorry, back to business - Japan. If you're after history, for a day, go to Nikko.