Kawaguchiko/ Itinerary Query

Hi Everyone,

I've planned my itinerary for March/April 2009 but after booking the majority of the accommodation I've discovered a problem. The plan was to travel from Kobe to Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko Station) but after entering the destinations into Hyperdia I've realised this trip takes 6-7 hours with around 6 transfers! I should have investigated, but its too late now so I'm looking for either suggestions of alternative places to stay in the Honshu area or any other itinerary advice.

A summary of our itinerary is as follows:

Tokyo- 8 nights (day trips to Yokohama, Nikko, Kamakura)
Kyoto- 3 nights
Hida Takayama- 1 night
Osaka- 4 nights
Kobe- 1 night
Mt Fuji- 1 night???
Tokyo- 2 nights

(The first night is Tokyo is a bit of a write-off as we arrive in the evening).

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks.

Instead of Kawaguchi-ko, go for Hakone. From either Mishima or Odawara, you can buy the 3900yen Hakone Free Pass which cover all the transports in Hakone for 2 days, and spending the night in an onsen ryokan.

Hakone Free Pass:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html

Hakone loop course:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html

Hakone onsens:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5209.html

Take the Shinkansen Hikari from Shin-Kobe or Shin-Osaka to Mishima. It stops at Mishima every 2 hours.
Then change to the bus to head to Kawaguchiko from there. You may need to change buses at Gotemba.
http://gutereise09.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-managed-to-upload-...