My Kyoto and surroundings itinerary

6 days and 6 places (and that is not including the traveling time from place to place)?
I understand that you want to fit in as much as possible, and yes, I like to travel rather slowly, but still, that is totally too much in my opinion.

For example it will take you about 2.5 hours per way to get from Kyoto to Miyajima (and that is not including the time you need to get from your hotel in Kyoto to the train station).

Yes, this itinerary does not make sense if you want to see more of Japan than just trains.

You really need to prioritize and skip things that don't interest you all that much. Personally I'd skip Osaka (just another big city, assuming you go to Tokyo as well) and Koyasan (an interesting place, but realistically it takes around 1.5 days including time to get there. Also , I'd only go to Hiroshima/Miyajima if you have an interest in the A-bomb site/museum. However your interests seem to differ from mine, so feel free to skip whatever you want.

One more tip: sunset is early in Japan and sights close early as well. It is often a good idea to avoid mid-day inter-city travel as that cuts considerably into your sightseeing time.

If the Aquarium is a must, you could perhaps go there on day 1. As you arrive midday it might be more efficient to spend that afternoon/evening in Osaka where things close late (the aquarium at 8pm or 9:30pm in summer) instead of Kyoto, where temples close aorund 5pm (and in addition you still have to get to the temples from the station first).

Regarding your plan for Koyasan. You are basically getting to Koyasan in time for dinner (which is early in the shukubo). So basically you want to see Koyasan on day 6, let's say for at least a morning. Then you are going to Nara which takes plenty of time on bus/cablecar/trains. You will be in Nara just in time for the temples to close....

Regarding Koyasan you might want to read this thread and this one

Thank you all. I read the threads proposed by bamse, but it was difficult to learn whether it is worth it or not.

nathalie2, you are right, it is quite all over the place. As for Mijayima and Hiroshima in one day, I know that it can be done. Of course, it will be impossible to see everything, but this time we don't have the luxury of strolling around.

bamse, yes, we plan to travel in the morning. We plan to arrive at the Aquarium at the opening, if we choose to visit it first day. Midday would be late.

Osaka to Koyasan is 2 hours max? I think that we can easily be in Koyasan by 14 if that's the case, enough for a stroll after the train. Next day we don't plan to stay in Koyasan - the whole purpose is temple stay - but to leave for Nara in the morning. Then we have the late morning and early afternoon there and we can take the evening train to Tokyo. But it all boils down to Koyasan, if it's worth it or not, because it is really the only big detour.

As for Mijayima and Hiroshima in one day, I know that it can be done.

I've done it myself. Its a long day, but perfectly possible to do the peace park, museum, and visit Mijayima in a single day trip from Kyoto. Doing 1 day like this is a little exhausting but OK. The problem is you are trying to do 6 days at this kind of pace in a row. That's why there is a consensus from all the posters so far you are trying to do too much in too little time, but you seem to disagree

Exactly what dates are you coming? And, what time of day do you leave from Tokyo? Are you coming from Luxembourg (thinking of jet lag)?

This itinerary seems rushed, and I've done 21 cities in 23 days.

The railway line and cable car to Koyasan is currently closed. It was damaged in a typhoon late last year. They're working quickly to try and repair it, but I'm not sure when it's due to re-open. If it hasn't opened yet by the time you're in Japan, you'll need to use the alternative method to get there: a bus from Hashimoto. Apparently there are delays at times.

If you are keen, I would do this: catch an early morning train out of Osaka, to get to Koyasan as early as you can. You can easily spend a whole day (and longer) exploring around Koyasan, which I personally think is really lovely. I would choose Koyasan over Miyajima, even without considering the distances involved. If you're able to explore Koyasan for the day, you can have your temple stay, and then leave early the next day, so that you get to Nara in time to actually do something. The route from Koyasan to Nara is rather convoluted. You might consider stopping off in some places along the way, as a better use of your time. It depends what you're interested in.

Note that most of the trains to Koyasan are not JR; you'll have to buy additional tickets. Also note that by buying a JR pass, you're basically spending a large amount of money solely for the purpose of doing a day-trip to Hiroshima.

Note that most of the trains to Koyasan are not JR; you'll have to buy additional tickets. Also note that by buying a JR pass, you're basically spending a large amount of money solely for the purpose of doing a day-trip to Hiroshima.

Yes don't get the nationwide JR pass under any circumstances. If you do decide to go to Hiroshima/MIyajima get the JR West Kansai Hiroshima Pass instead which is a good deal.

Thank you all. I read the threads proposed by bamse, but it was difficult to learn whether it is worth it or not.

Well, I guess it depends on your interests. Koyasan is not so much about sightseeing temples but more about experiencing Buddhism. I linked to the threads, to spoil any romantic ideas (being the only visitor in a remote mountain temple...) you might have about the temple stay. That being said, it is a fascinating place.

nathalie2, you are right, it is quite all over the place. As for Mijayima and Hiroshima in one day, I know that it can be done. Of course, it will be impossible to see everything, but this time we don't have the luxury of strolling around.

Yes Miyajima/Hiroshima in one day is possible, but that was not my concern with your itinerary.

bamse, yes, we plan to travel in the morning. We plan to arrive at the Aquarium at the opening, if we choose to visit it first day. Midday would be late.

How much time do you need at the aquarium? It is open until 8pm or even 9:30pm....

Osaka to Koyasan is 2 hours max? I think that we can easily be in Koyasan by 14 if that's the case, enough for a stroll after the train. Next day we don't plan to stay in Koyasan - the whole purpose is temple stay - but to leave for Nara in the morning.

"Temple stay" basically means that you eat two temple meals, stay in a fairly standard minshuku/ryokan style Japanese room (nothing reminding you that you are in a temple here) and perhaps attend a fire ceremony. I'd see at least Okunoin, which is more than a short stroll.