1

Where is your hostel/hotel located?

I'd consider Suica + NEX one way package depending on the above.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_suica_nex.html

I assume you will get a 7-day JR Pass. I would exchange the voucher at Narita Airport when you arrive and set the activation date as Nov 28 so that it is valid on Dec 4 to get you back to the airport.

Use your JR Pass to get to Odawara Station (usually via Shinkansen from Tokyo/Shinagawa) and then purchase the Hakone Free Pass (3900 yen) and do the round course.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

It probably makes more sense to do Hakone on Thursday, leave your bags at Odawara Station and continue on from Odawara to Kyoto. Doesn't make too much difference I guess. I'd also consider swapping/delaying depending on the weather forecast.

Note you must book imperial palace if you haven't already.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3917.html

I'd probably skip it and pick another place due to the autumn colours elsewhere, especially with your limited time in Kyoto. I'd also make sure I went to one or two of the night illuminations in Kyoto.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3953.html

The repairs to the torii gate were completed a while ago. Is that what you refer to?


Due to the departure time I'd probably try and make it back to Tokyo, alternatively leave Kyoto at 6:42am on Dec 4 to make it to Narita by 11am.

Have you booked your accommodation everywhere including Kyoto already?

2

Thanks for the help ACC. After reading your post last night we booked our accommodation in Kyoto. I didn't know it was going to be this busy!

Regarding the illumination, I'm not familiar with this and can't seem to find any exact information on it online? I can see on the Japan Guide website it lists some areas/parks that are going to be doing it, and their dates and times but do I need to pre-book; are some better then others; is there a cost involved (I noticed one said 600yen), etc. And like I'm said, I'm not actually sure what's involved at all - is it lights throughout the park? Or a ceremony? Any help would be great. :)

We don't feel safe heading back from Kyoto to Narita on our last day, so we are thinking we'll head into Hiroshima on 2 Dec, go explore the memorial park, the museum, etc, and then do the Torii gate out at Miyajima. I know it's labelled a day trip so we're hoping that if we get up early enough, hop across on the ferry and then head straight back to Tokyo that night. It just gives us a better peace of mind. From what I can tell, the last train is somewhere between 4pm - 6pm from Hiroshima to Tokyo as well so I think we should be safe. :)

3

Thanks for the help ... one more question if anybody can answer.

With the itinerary above, will the JR Pass be fine for us? I've used it in the past and the ease of it is great, but I'm a little more budget conscious this time, and two of us are going instead of just me and I don't want to shell out $660 for a pass if we can buy individual tickets for less?

4

Yeah, that's correct. We pay approx $330 each in AUS through JTB for a Ordinary Class JR Pass.
I don't really want to do the overnight buses. But I just wasn't sure if the JR Pass would be worth it this time.

5

That's what I thought. Thanks acc; all your help is very much appreciated. :)

6

If you're still paying attention to the thread acc, are the temples that are getting lit up hard to get to?
We are staying in "central" Kyoto about 10 mins walk north from the station (we are staying at Capsule Ryokan Kyoto) but last time I was in Kyoto, we stayed in Gion and I found I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought ... but that could have been due to the bike riding, and bad shoes. :)