14 days Japan Itinerary

Hey,

This is our Itinerary so far.
We're in beginning of our 30s.
So far looks like we're opting for busses instead of trains and hence not buying the JR pass package.
Busses seem to be much cheaper and only a bit longer (besides trip like Kyoto-Tokyo which we don't mind
doing over night).
We prefer spending the extra buck on food/shopping.

Do we need to book anything in advance for this trip besides accommodation ? Does it look reasonable ?
Thanks!

Day 1 - 4 Tokyo
Day 5 - bus from Tokyo to Matsumoto.
Day 6 - early morning bus to shinano omachi to send our luggage to the final stop. then another bus to ogizawa to start the alpine route. Finishing in the evening in Kanazawa
Day 7 - Some time in Kanazawa, then a bus to shirakawago, and in the evening a bus to takayama.
Day 8 - spending a full day in takayama and in the evening a bus to Kyoto.
Day 9-10 Kyoto
Day 11 - day trip to Mount Kota
Day 12 - spending a day in Kyoto or Osaka with an over night bus to Tokyo
Day 13 - Full day Tokyo
Day 14 - flight home

Your itinerary looks a bit rushed.

Kanazawa: I spent a full day and two nights in Kanazawa, and it wasn't enough! With only one evening and half of the next day, you won't have time to see much at all in Kanazawa - perhaps only the garden and a quick stroll through Higashichaya. If you spend a full day there, you could include a walk through the markey and perhaps a gold leaf craft activity (which I highly recommend).

Shirakawago: It will take time to travel there from Kanazawa, and so again you won't have much time whilst there.

Koyasan: Due to the long travel time there from Kyoto, it's best as an overnight trip, staying in one of the temple lodgings. As a day trip, the travel times are too long.

The overnight buses should be booked.