How much time in each place?

We%26#39;re going to Japan for 10 nights mid-May. This is our second trip so we are not complete novices.

However, I would still appreciate advice from anyone who has been to Kanazawa, Matsumoto and the Kiso Valley.

After spending a few days in Osaka where our daughter lives, we hope to take the train to Kanazawa, then travel by bus to Takayama (stopping to see Shirakawa-go on the way).

From Takayama we will catch the bus to Matsumoto.From here we may take the train to Hakuba just to see where our daughter works at a ski resort in winter.

Then we will get the train down the Kiso Valley to Nagoya and back to Osaka.

I%26#39;m wondering how many nights to stay in each place. Is Kanazawa worth 2 nights or could we see the garden and castle on the first afternoon then leave the following morning for Takayama?

We%26#39;ve been to Takayama before, so would only stay 1 night there probably. Then probably a night in Matsumoto so we can see the castle. (We may not have time to fit in the detour to Hakuba though?)

Next day we would get on the train to Nagoya, stopping to see Narai, Tsumago and maybe Magome on the way.I%26#39;m not sure whether to stay in Tsumago or just continue back to Osaka.

We only want to be away from Osaka 4 nights at the most - I%26#39;m just not sure of the best way to divide up the nights.

How much time in each place?

Is there anyone out there who could help with this query?

How much time in each place?

One night is enough for Kanazawa. The garden takes about one hour (depending on how thoroughly you want to walk the entire place). The castle is ok but it doesn%26#39;t take that much time. Shirakawa-go is a 1/2 day. Allow another 1/2 day for Matsumoto since the only (but very worthwhile) attraction is the castle. Nagoya itself doesn%26#39;t have much to see except some architecture and shopping malls around JR Nagoya and Sakai subway stations. Toyota is another hour away should you want to visit the factory tour (reservation required) and the museum.

I have not been to Narai, Tsumago and Magome. Another place I haven%26#39;t gone but you might consider is Gujo Hachiman.

Thanks Sammyfloyd

That is helpful. We don%26#39;t intend to stop in Nagoya though - just change trains there.

Narai, Tsumago and Magome sound like nice old places to visit, but transport is a bit of a problem. You have to use local trains and buses/taxis to get to them, from what I%26#39;ve read, so it could be quite time consuming if we want to see them all.

Gujo-Hachiman looks interesting but is on another rail line. We only have 4 nights or possibly 5 to spend out of Osaka.I%26#39;m trying to work out a circular route that will be achievable and where we can see nice scenery and old towns, gardens and castles at each place we stop.