Nara or Himeji?

Next April, I will be spending three full days in Kyoto. During one of those days, I would like to visit either Nara or Himeji, but I don't know which one would be best. Could somebody help me to decide.

Thank you!

Castle vs. temple - it comes down to personal interest!

About Himeji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3500.html

About Nara:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html

Nara should be:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html

Very seldom "chonbo" by Uji-sensei.

Itis very easy to get to Himeji-it's a stop on many of the Shinkansens. The castle is large and beautiful, as are the grounds but I prefered Nara. It is harder to get to but I had to get there from Hiroshima and not Kyoto. For you it will be easier but may still require a transfer. I liked Nara because there was more to see and do. The largest sitting Buddha in Japan was stunning, as was its housing. There are several large shines-one has hundreds of stone lanterns along the way -some looked very old. There are deer everywhere in the park and will nod in thanks for a "deer senbe", 150 yen for a small bundle.

As much as hemiji castle is the perfect beautiful stunning medieval castle (Im an archaeologist btw lol) nara is by far better.I have never had a better day in my life than nara.We rented bicycles from the station and cycled around nara on the most beautiful day ever..wild dear everywere, beautiful temples, school kids on field trips eager to talk to the westerns.best day of my life.defintly must go there while in japan.

Yes I vote for Nara too... the castle at Himeji is great but actually there are many castles and some even more beautiful (like Matsumoto) or funky (like Gujo Hachiman) - but Nara has so much to offer. WE didn't even hire bikes but just walked all over and loved it! It has some pretty holy relics there too if you are interested in old Buddhist things... and in April it should be just gorgeous - you are very lucky... check on what kind of train to get though. We just winged it and spent a very long time getting there on a local train. Must have been a better way.

I love Nara, not only temples but also you can see beautiful shrine, oldest temple in JPN, and...Deers!!
They are so cute and you can not forget experience of feeding them. (Shika senbei, such as special cracker for deers are sold every where in Nara park.
Acctually, I prefer Nara than Kyoto. Because Nara is more quiet and peaceful than there.

If you are in terested in stay at faciliites of temple, I reccommend Koyasan, World Heritage site in Wakayama as well.
http://www.koyasan.or.jp/english/index.html

You can join the some religious events and taste religous vegetarian food at there.