1

It is possible I think.


It is not arduous really. Bus from Hakone to Mishima (preferred) or Odawara. Buses are included in Hakone Free Pass. Then Shinkansen to Nagoya, then Limited Express to Takayama.

I assume you will use one of the Tobu Nikko passes:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html


I'd just save your 7-day JR Pass until the day you leave Hakone (27th). Depends what you want to do on the 25th. Use the Hakone Free Pass (5000 yen) from Shinjuku to get to Hakone and around for two days.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html

Then on the 27th I'd go Hakone to Hiroshima (4.5 hours) and overnight at Hiroshima. Alternatively go Hakone to Osaka (2.5 hours) and overnight Osaka.

Then on the 28th from Hiroshima to Fukuoka is only 70 mins. Hiroshima to Kumamoto is 110 mins, etc.

Then you can move around Kyushu (Aso, Kurokawa, Beppu, etc.) as you wish for a few days before returning to Kyoto.

Note that currently there are interruptions to some services in Kyushu due to the heavy rain but that should all be cleared by the time you arrive:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1108.html

Alternatively, you may wish to consider travelling around Shikoku which is a little closer to access from Kansai.
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1107.html

We cycled the Shimanami Kaido last time and really enjoyed it.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3478.html

Another alternative is to do some of the Kiso Valley including Tsumago Magome and maybe Matsumoto
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6078.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6050.html

Hope this helps!

2

Acc, very helpful indeed, thanks. You've given me some confidence about fitting in Kyushu.
Definitely going to get the Tobu pass.

With regards to the Hakone free pass, does the 5000Y cover return back to tokyo? If so, is there any way of avoiding the full fee as we do not want to head back to tokyo?

Is there any advantage to using the JR pass to get to Odwara say on the 26th? Otherwise I have an active pass for 2 days in kyoto.

Hiroshima to Kumamoto vs. Shikoku vs. Kiso Valley including Tsumago Magome all sound very good.

How to decide??? Arrrggghh.

I have been to Hiroshima and Mijayima, enjoyed both. Really kind people in Horishma.

There seems to be heaps of recommendations for Tsumago and Magome. If we are not the hiking type, would we still benefit from spending out time here vs somewhere else for a few days.

Is a rental car recommended for Kumamoto and surrounds or are train and bus easy options to get around?

3

You are welcome.


Yes.


Yes, but to get to Odawara costs more than 1100 yen, and the price of the Hakone Free Pass in Odawara is 3900 yen.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html

So, you can save 1100 yen if you have an active JR Pass. However I would prefer to use it from Kyoto for Hikone Castle for example:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7001.html

If you prefer, then activate on the 26th and then you can use Shinkansen to Odawara


As above.


Indeed.


Another option on the way instead of Hiroshima or Osaka is Okayama:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5700.html


Depends what you are after. I'd stick to Kyushu if that interests you.


I would rent from Kumamoto if you plan to go to Mt Aso:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4551.html

4

For Oct. 25th if you have not been there yet, then why not see Kamakura? You could easily spend a whole day there and there is a lot to see.
For your 5 day gap, there is a lot to see in Kyushu of course, but why not think outside the box a little and consider Hokkaido or Okinawa? You can fly there very cheaply with an air pass from JAL or ANA. See
http://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/fares/regional-fares/japan-airpass/
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common/fare/special/visit.html
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common/promotion/experience_jp/
The first thing you need to know is that you MUST get the tickets before you arrive in Japan. Another important detail is that there are blackout dates during the busiest times of the year, especially the start/end of the year
There are also discount carriers like Peach or Jetstar that can get you there.
Otherwise, Kyushu has lots to see; Nagasaki is full of history, Beppu, Yufuin and
Kurokawa have great hot springs, Sakurajima and Aso are live volcanoes.

5

If you've been to Takayama and Kanazawa already, you might find Hakone disappointing.
It is much more touristy than those places due to it's proximity to Tokyo.

I would utilize the JR Pass more and travel further afield.
Go to Hiroshima or even Kyushu.