8 days itinerary

Hi! We will be arriving in Tokyo(Narita) at 8am on 12th june. We have planned a rough itinerary and will appreciate any suggestions/tips for it esp the best passes to buy or any sights we may have missed out

12th june, tue:
around 11am- check into hotel at shinjuku station (will be buying the SUICA + NEX card
-Visit Tokyo metropolitan govt building
-meiji shrine
-Shibuya area

13th jun, wed:
-Tsukiji Market in the morning (will the market be opened as we understand it is closed on some wednesdays?)
-Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens
-Take boat cruise from the pier on Sumida River to Asakusa
-See the sensoji temple and tokyo sky tree
-Imperial palace
-Take a train back to harajuku (when will be a good time to people watch ie cosplay?)

14th jun, thur:
-Trip to nikko
-Plan to visit Toshogu Shrine, Kegon and Ryuzu waterfall, tobuworld square, lake chuzenji
(What tickets should we buy that would be good for all the above, and will there be enough time to cover all the attractions in one day?)

15th jun, fri:
-Getting the Hakone Free Pass (2 Days)
-doing round course suggested by this site and staying in an onsen at night near Togendai

16th jun, sat:
- taking the Shinkansen from odawara to Kyoto station (What is the difference between the reserved and unreserved tickets other than the price?)
-check into hotel near kyoto station ard 2pm
-kiyomizudera
-Gion in the evening

17th jun, sun:
-Fushimi Inari Shrine
-Nijo Castle
-Kinkakuji
-Sanjusangendo
-Imperial Palace
(what is the most effective sequence that will allow us to maximise our time and which travel card would be best for us? are there any other attractions that we should see? )

18th jun, Mon:
- Side trip to Arashimaya for the first half of the day( Will there be enough time to cover some attractions in Arashimaya like the Bamboo Groves, Boat tour and scenic railway?)
-Leave kyoto for osaka in the afternoon
- Check into hotel near namba station
-(Will there be time to visit the osaka castle?)

19th jun, Tue:
-Trip to Nara

20th jun, Wed:
-Leaving Japan in the morn

Hi! We will be arriving in Tokyo(Narita) at 8am on 12th june. We have planned a rough itinerary and will appreciate any suggestions/tips for it esp the best passes to buy or any sights we may have missed out

Overall it looks nice to me.

12th june, tue:
around 11am- check into hotel at shinjuku station (will be buying the SUICA + NEX card
-Visit Tokyo metropolitan govt building
-meiji shrine
-Shibuya area

Perfect. I'd probably do the Tokyo Metro building at dusk/sunset/night but whatever suits. Shibuya is also good at night.

13th jun, wed:
-Tsukiji Market in the morning (will the market be opened as we understand it is closed on some wednesdays?)
-Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens
-Take boat cruise from the pier on Sumida River to Asakusa
-See the sensoji temple and tokyo sky tree
-Imperial palace

Note that you probably can't go up Tokyo Sky Tree.

Tsukiji Calendar is linked down the bottom of the Japan-guide page:-
http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm
13th June is closed.

-Take a train back to harajuku (when will be a good time to people watch ie cosplay?)

Sundays.

14th jun, thur:
-Trip to nikko
-Plan to visit Toshogu Shrine, Kegon and Ryuzu waterfall, tobuworld square, lake chuzenji
(What tickets should we buy that would be good for all the above, and will there be enough time to cover all the attractions in one day?)

Start early. If you can, buy your tickets at least the day before from Tobu Tourist Info Centre in Asakusa Station, as the opening hours are not early enough to catch the first train.

I'd get the Tobu All Nikko Pass.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html

15th jun, fri:
-Getting the Hakone Free Pass (2 Days)
-doing round course suggested by this site and staying in an onsen at night near Togendai

Sounds nice.

16th jun, sat:
- taking the Shinkansen from odawara to Kyoto station (What is the difference between the reserved and unreserved tickets other than the price?)

Without meaning to sound silly, the fact you get a reserved (allocated) seat.
More info here:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

-check into hotel near kyoto station ard 2pm
-kiyomizudera
-Gion in the evening

Sounds good, obviously include a walk down Pontocho.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3921.html

17th jun, sun:
-Fushimi Inari Shrine
-Nijo Castle
-Kinkakuji
-Sanjusangendo
-Imperial Palace
(what is the most effective sequence that will allow us to maximise our time and which travel card would be best for us? are there any other attractions that we should see? )

That's a lot in one day. You can't do Imperial Palace on a Sunday and you have to book a tour in advance so skip it.

I'd do Fushimi Inari first, you can get there early as it essentially doesn't close. Take the train to Fushimi Inari and back.
Then I'd do Kinkakuji, then back for Nijo Castle and Sanjusangendo. A one day bus pass may work.

I'd maybe consider doing Kinkakuji on the 16th and then do Kiyomizudera on the 17th.

18th jun, Mon:
- Side trip to Arashimaya for the first half of the day( Will there be enough time to cover some attractions in Arashimaya like the Bamboo Groves, Boat tour and scenic railway?)

Yes, if you start early enough.

-Leave kyoto for osaka in the afternoon
- Check into hotel near namba station
-(Will there be time to visit the osaka castle?)

Depends on Arashiyama. Probably yes.

19th jun, Tue:
-Trip to Nara

Sounds good.

20th jun, Wed:
-Leaving Japan in the morn

From Kansai Airport I assume?

Enjoy your trip!

Did you plan on the Tuna Auction at Tsukiji or just breakfast plus the markets? I guess you could go on the 14th or 15th if you are keen.

GC3, thanks for all the great tips and change the itinerary according to your suggestions.

-will only view the Sky Tree from ground level
-since Tsukiji market is close on Wed, will move Nikko trip to Wed and do the Tokyo sights on Thu.
-Does the All Nikko Pass cover the trip to Tobu World Sq? (it does not show on the map you linked)
-Tuna Auction is way too early, so will only cover breakfast and market.
-About the shinkansen to Kyoto, is it necessary to reserve seats? Also which stations is more convenient to get to from Togendai station - Odawara or Mishima?
-will take up your suggestions for the sights in Kyoto,Osaka and Nara
-Is it a good idea to get the Surutto Kansai Thru Pass (3 days) to cover the 3 cities?
-Will be departing from Kansai airport.

Thanks again

-Does the All Nikko Pass cover the trip to Tobu World Sq? (it does not show on the map you linked)

The bus between Kinugawa Station and Worldsquare is not covered, but you can alternatively walk to the park from Kosagoe Station in about ten minutes. The train to Kosagoe is covered by all Nikko free passes for foreign travelers:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3878.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html

-About the shinkansen to Kyoto, is it necessary to reserve seats?

No, all trains have a few cars of unreserved seats. But for peace of mind, it is recommended:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_tokaido.html

Also which stations is more convenient to get to from Togendai station - Odawara or Mishima?

Odawara can be reached in a direct, frequently departing bus ride. Mishima requires a boat and a less frequently departing bus ride. So, I consider Odawara easier to get to.

I think Uji has covered almost everything

Is it a good idea to get the Surutto Kansai Thru Pass (3 days) to cover the 3 cities?

No, it is unlikely to pay off.

Thanks so much for ur quick replies!:)