Thanks for the advice - I would love to do more in Takayama than visit the garden, but unfortunately we don't have the time.My boyfriend is restless on transport anyhow, so even if it does make the day longer, he will appreciate the chance to stretch his legs and take a in a breath of fresh air. Also, going via Takayama from Hakuba doesn't really increase the travel time much at all, from what I understand.
Kyoto is gorgeous, I agree, however this is my second time in Japan so I've already seen the sights I most want to see there. My boyfriend wants to go there (he's never been to Japan), but he's definitely a scenery and landscape person more than a temple and shrine person. Kyoto, of course, offers both, but I think Kenrokuen has a special charm of it's own.
Still, we are trying to combine a bit of everything, and we're trying to work out a good itinerary that works well for the both of us - I want my excursions to differ a bit from the last time, and of course, my partner doesn't want to miss any of the ''must see's''.
And unfortunately, we've only booked for 11 nights, which includes 3 nights at the snow - although we're now contemplating extending for an extra week.
