10 days (Nagoya - Osaka)

Hi, this will be our 1st time visiting Japan this coming Jan 2017. We hope to enjoy the traditional culture of Japan i.e. traditional city, local food, onsen, samurai culture, shirakwago, palaces & shrines, cultural shows etc. Appreciate if you could advise us on our plan. We only have 10 days.
Fly in via Nagoya - Takayama & Shirakawago - Kanazawa, Samurai & Ninjadera - Kaga Onsen - Fukui - Kyota - Osaka (fly off)
Would 10 days be enough for a relaxing pace ? or is it too adventurous?

I think it looks like a good trip. There is always too many places to go, and too little time to do it in. Many people say Kyoto take 4 days, and I don't think you have given yourself that much time in Kyoto.

Are you planning to spend your first day in Nagoya? I usually do stay near the airport on the first day, in case there is a luggage issue, and to get over any jet lag. There are two nice cultural places to go in Nagoya:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3300.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3301.html

When some people say 10 days, they do not include the day you arrive, or the day you leave to go back. Does the 10 days include these two days?

I looked at where you want to go, and I am going to suggest two passes for transportation. The Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, and the JR Kansai Wide Pass. Both are 5 day passes. Since your visit is ten days, you should have complete coverage.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_takayama_hokuriku.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_08.html

This assumes that you will get to Kyoto before the first pass expires on day 5. If you only get to Fukui on Day 5, you could just pay for the train between Fukui and Tsuruga (about 1000 yen), and use the Kansai Area Pass to finish getting you to Kyoto.

Depending on what you actually do in Osaka and Kyoto, the JR Kansai Area Pass may not be necessary. I threw is in because you might want to visit the Castle in Himeji, and it gets you to the airport on the final day. You also mentioned going to Ninjadera, and if you like that, you might also want to go to Iga-Ueno.

Here are some additional links:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3501.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4350.html

Yes, I know, so few days, and so much to do....