Travel From Kyoto to Hakone

Well we are making our second trip to Japan in 1.5 years. We arrrive 4/1/08 in Osaka and leave 4/8/08 from Narita.

We plan on seeing Kyoto from 4/1 to 4/4 transferring to Hakone on 4/4-4/6, then spending the last two days in Tokyo.

We are already familiar with gettting around Tokyo but the transportation from Kyoto to Hakone is getting me. I know I need to take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to either Mishima or Odawara. We are staying at Ichinoyu Skinan in Hakone. Which station should we head to from Kyoto. Also when should we buy our Shinkansen tickets? Can we purchase these like we buy tickets from machines in Tokyo? Or do we have to go to a counter to purchase them?

Any help is appreciated!!! Arigato!!!

but the transportation from Kyoto to Hakone is getting me. I know I need to take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to either Mishima or Odawara. We are staying at Ichinoyu Skinan in Hakone. Which station should we head to from Kyoto.

You might want to get to Odawara, from where you might change to the bus or the Hakone Tozan Line.

Kyoto 8:29 --Hikari-- 10:35 Odawara, then this type of Hikari runs every 2 hours until 18:29 and 20:48.

Also when should we buy our Shinkansen tickets? Can we purchase these like we buy tickets from machines in Tokyo? Or do we have to go to a counter to purchase them?

As you like. Purchasing both from the machine and from the rep at the counter will do.

Can we buy the tickets the day of travel 4/4 or can we buy them in advance?

You can buy either in advance or on day of travel. You can even buy at the JR desk at KIX airport, in case you have some waiting time after arrival.