Hi! I'll be in Japan from the 23rd of Nov until 7th Dec 2012. This will be my second time in Japan.Overall it looks really nice to me. I'd keep a close eye on the koyo reports on Japan guide and you may wish to do some tweaking to your Kyoto section as you get closer. I think you will be at the tail end of it in Kyoto but hopefully there will be some nice spots around.
Do you think I should buy a 14-day JR Pass?It is one option. If you are happy to make some transport changes (no hotel changes) then I think you can get away a bit cheaper.
Basically, take the bus from Tokyo to Takayama which is half the price of the trains. Then pay for the train from Kanazawa to Kyoto. Buy a JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass (8000 yen) to cover Dec 4 through Dec 7.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_08.htmlThe Pass will cover you to Kinosaki and then from Kinosaki to Okayama, you will have to pay extra for the Shinkansen from Okayama to Hiroshima, and also from Hiroshima back to Okayama. Then it covers you from Okayama all the way back to Osaka and will cover you for the Haruka train from Tennoji back to Kansai Airport if you wish too.
Let me know if that doesn't make sense!
I don't have time to add it up now (might later) but feel free to do the sums and I'm pretty sure you will save a fair amount.
And then maybe can afford an overnight stay in Koyasan.Hopefully this will save you enough so you can!
Day 04 - Nov. 26 - Monday (Tokyo/Kawaguchiko)
Tsukiji Fish Market for the auction.I'd try and get there before 4am to queue, you may wish to take a taxi of course (3000-4000 yen) as there is no public transport that early.
Then proceed to Kawaguchiko. Stay overnight.You may be able to take the bus (from Tokyo or Shinjuku)
Day 06 - Nov. 28 - Wednesday (Takayama)
07:33 AM depart Tokyo (by Shinkansen Hikari & Wide View Hida), 12:13 PM arrive at Takayama. Stay overnight.As above, consider the bus to Takayama
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.htmlDay 08 - Nov. 30 - Friday (Kanazawa)
10:20 AM depart Shirakawa-go for Kanazawa (by bus), 11:35 AM arrive at Kanazawa. Seems fine although quite quick in Kanazawa.
Day 09 - Dec. 01 - Saturday (Kyoto)
Arashiyama and SaganoI'd switch this with Dec 3. I'd also do Kinkakuji in the morning then Arashiyama/Sagano after that.
On this day I'd do Higashiyama and Kiyomizudera (probably at night) then Gion/Pontocho. Kiyomizudera illumination finishes on Dec 2. You could also see Kodaiji either during the day or at night.
Day 10 - Dec. 02 - Sunday (Kyoto)
Then on to Philosopher's Path, hopefully it's illuminated at night..I'd do a night illumination at Eikando after the walk.
Day 11 - Dec. 03 - Monday (Kyoto)
Kinkakuji, Higashiyama, KiyomizuderaAs above, this should be Kinkakuji/Arashiyama/Sagano now.
Day 12 - Dec. 04 - Tuesday (Kinosaki)
Take 7:30AM train from Kyoto station, arrive in Kinosakionsen at 10:54AM. Explore public baths. Stay overnight.Day 1 of JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass. Note you can buy it at Kyoto Station in the preceding days and specify the activation date as Dec 4, you should do this so you can take the early train don't try and buy it on Dec 4.
Day 13 - Dec. 05 - Wednesday (Hiroshima/Miyajima)
Take 7:18AM Hamakaze train. Arrive at Hiroshimo around 10:50AM. Explore Hiroshima Memorial Park. Leave for Miyajima around 2PM. Overnight in the island.Seems fine but paying extra from Okayama to Hiroshima. You've got 40 mins at Himeji to sort the extra or do it at Kinosaki.
Day 14 - Dec. 06 - Thursday (Miyajima/Osaka)
Leave Miyajima around 11AM. Arrive at Osaka-Namba around 2PM. Explore Osaka Castle then Dotonburi at night. I will be staying in Namba.I'd probably try and get to Koyasan on this night for an overnight stay.
Day 15 - Dec. 07 - Friday (Osaka)
Check-out from hostel. Daytrip to Koyasan. Where do you suggest I leave my luggage so I can travel directly from Koyasan to Kansai Airport without going back to Namba? My flight leaves at 11:30PM.If you have Kansai Wide Area Pass then a JR Station makes sense, maybe Shin-Imamiya or Namba would be ok too I guess.
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I am pretty sure the Kansai Wide will be the cheapest but if you don't want the little bit of extra hassle with extra tickets past Okayama you could also get a 7-day JR Pass and use it from Nov 30 as you leave Kanazawa. This assumes you use the bus to get to Takayama which makes sense.
Enjoy your trip!