18 day Itinerary - grateful for some feedback

Personally I wouldn't stay in Osaka.Its not that nice,or interesting.

I'd stay more time in Kyoto,and visit places like Nara from there.Plus two days in Hiroshima/Miyajima,with a visit to Himeji in the way.

That obviously depends on accommodation availability.Kyoto is very busy that time of year.

On the other questions...I like Kanazawa,but maybe the Alps will give you some variety.

I don't think a 14 day pass will pay off.You can check individual prices on Hyperdia and compare to cost of pass.

Do you really need to visit Hiroshima as a day-trip from a city hundreds of kilometers away? You can potentially save significant money (and the need for a JR Pass) just by dropping that trip.

I don't think any of the shinkansen rides in Japan are scenic. The shinkansen lines blast through everything in sight, there are frequently sound barriers up obscuring the view, and you're going too fast to see much most of the time anyway. Taking a shinkansen once is an interesting experience, but you don't take the trains to enjoy the journeys of Japan. Alternative options - like slower trains and buses - are nearly always more scenic. In fact in general, traveling on the older, non-shinkansen train lines is the best way to see scenery while on the move in Japan.

I personally like Kanazawa a lot more than I like Takayama. So I wouldn't drop Kanazawa if I was you. The train journey there is reasonably scenic as well, at least for me. Taking the buses through the mountains from Kanazawa to Takayama via Shirakawa-go is probably nice as well. Note that none of that is covered by a JR Pass. Takayama-Tokyo is most scenic if you take a bus to Matsumoto, visit the castle there, and then take normal trains to Tokyo. If the weather's good, you'll have views of Mt. Fuji on that route. You might be able to see Mt. Fuji from the Matsumoto-Tokyo bus; I'm not sure, I've never taken it before.

Cherry blossoms are fickle, and don't bloom at the same time every year. As I've pointed out to everyone on here who wants to see cherries, one of the premier spots in Japan is Yoshino. It has trees at multiple altitudes, meaning blooms there last for a longer period than in most places. If you do go, expect it to be heaving during sakura season. It's most easily visited as a daytrip from Nara or Osaka.

For more on JR Passes, see my FAQ at the top of the North-East Asia Branch.

I think your Apr 1-5 part seems really rushed and all over the place if you are based in Osaka. Think there's plenty to see around that area without having to go to Hiroshima which is a different region unless it's a must-see for you, then I'd suggest you spend more time in Hiroshima itself.

There are lots of different types of JR passes available, not just the whole country one, it might save you money if you just pick a particular region and focus on that instead. For example, I had a 5-day one which was focused on Fukuoka-Hiroshima which was much cheaper than the full country pass. The only way to save money with the JR pass is to do a lot of research and cost comparisons unfortunately, don't think anyone will be able to tell you offhand if you will save money - I generally tend to wing it, but I was in Japan about the same time as you in 2016 and it was pretty busy because of Sakura season, so I'm glad I had all my accom settled at least.

In case you need Hanami tips - https://theoccasionaltraveller.com/how-to-survive-hanami-season-in-japan/ - as someone pointed out above, they don't always bloom at the same time, you'll only know closer to date and the locals can also help you check the webcams at popular parks before you go

If it helps, I usually like to use either japantravel.com and japan-guide to plan for Japan. the former is better for ideas while the latter has really good details on planning and what's nearby which sounds like it would be useful for you.

I agree with others, there is no reason to stay in Osaka. Even for transit connections, a hotel near Kyoto station will do just fine. 5 days in Osaka is pretty crazy, particularly if you are just using it for day trips.

April 1: Leave for Osaka - see Osaka Castle / Umeda

Taking trains in the morning generally means you waste half a day's daylight getting to and from hotels, train stations and on the train. Make long distance journies during the late afternoon early evening.

April 2: Day trip to Nara

Easier to do as a day trip from Kyoto

April 3: Day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima
April 4: Day trip to Himeji/Kobe - or Okayama/Kurashiki

Much better(cheaper and less time wasted on trains) to spend a night in Hiroshima and hit Himeji/Kurashiki/Kobe as a stop between.

April 5: Leave Osaka to Kyoto - try to see Kinkakuji when we get there

This doesnt make sense. If you are arriving from Osaka, then having to find your new hotel, then having to trek out to Kinkakuji, by the time you get there it will be absolutely mobbed with people. Better to do the most famous sights in Kyoto on days you start in Kyoto

April 10: Leave Kyoto - (i need help!)
to either Kanazawa (2 nights) or Takayama (1 night) - Shirakawago in between stop over
April 13 : Arrive back in Tokyo late afternoon

I would leave on April 9th in the late afternoon for Kanazawa, then head to Takayama.

From Takayama to Tokyo, your best bet is a bus direct or a short bus over the mountains to Matsumoto and then a train. Going all train means a very time consuming and expensive detour.

No point in arriving in Tokyo in the late afternoon, that means you will have wasted 6 hours of the day in transport. Aim to arrive in Tokyo at 9-10pm.

1. Should I go straight from Kyoto to Kanazawa or to Kyoto to Takayama first.

Transport to Kanazawa from Kyoto is better.

Just from reading forums, some have advised to go Takayama first because of the scenic ride & that the shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo is much newer, or better ride. However, I have heard Takayama to Tokyo may have a view of Mt Fuji? but weather may not permit a view. What's more efficient? Will I miss out on Kanazawa cherry blossoms either way?

The 'newer' train line is the Shinkansen. It goes through industrial areas or is walled off from the countryside so you see nothing.

In any event, you will see the exact ride from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto earlier in your trip. Sit on the right side of the train to try and get a view of Fuji, but yes it will probably be covered in clouds.

1. Do you think a JR 14 day pass pay off for our travel?

If you insist on making tons of long disntace day trips like you have in Osaka, and take the most expensive train even when there are cheaper/faster options availible then it might 'pay off' but it will mean you will be wasting a lot of your time in transport trying to make it 'pay off.' Not a choice I would make.

You should look into the JR West Kansai Hiroshima pass. It is very useful for getting to and from Hiroshima, and Himeji/Kurashiki and around Kyoto. It is also a lot cheaper.

1. Is any part too rushed to do?

As said, staying in Osaka and then wasting 3-7 hours each and every day on the train to do day trips seems silly.

I would add an extra day in Kanazawa/Takayama so it isnt too rushed. Probably at the expense of Osaka.

Thanks rpbourne for sharing your knowledge.

The reason why Osaka has many days is because my group doesn't want to take luggage to different places too often and they prefer day trips. Another reason is accommodation is cheaper there compared to Kyoto (as we are going in sakura season and was easier to find). Would you have anymore suggestions for other day trips around Osaka (if we decide to cut Hiroshima from the itinerary)?

Thanks for your tips, I'll definitely consider adding an extra day to Kanazawa Takayama.

I think your Apr 1-5 part seems really rushed and all over the place if you are based in Osaka. Think there's plenty to see around that area without having to go to Hiroshima which is a different region unless it's a must-see for you, then I'd suggest you spend more time in Hiroshima itself.

If I décide to cut Hiroshima from my itinerary, do you have any suggestions for closer places?

There are lots of different types of JR passes available, not just the whole country one, it might save you money if you just pick a particular region and focus on that instead. For example, I had a 5-day one which was focused on Fukuoka-Hiroshima which was much cheaper than the full country pass. The only way to save money with the JR pass is to do a lot of research and cost comparisons unfortunately, don't think anyone will be able to tell you offhand if you will save money - I generally tend to wing it, but I was in Japan about the same time as you in 2016 and it was pretty busy because of Sakura season, so I'm glad I had all my accom settled at least.
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Those JR Region passes...how do you connect them out of their region? eg. JR Kansai West Pass. Do I just buy an individual ticket from Tokyo to Osaka & Kyoto to Kanazawa?

Thanks for your hanami tips & blog link! Really appreciate it!

The reason why Osaka has many days is because my group doesn't want to take luggage to different places too often and they prefer day trips.

I understand the desire not to check in and out of too many hotels with luggage. What I like to do it take extended short trips, leaving my luggage at a hotel in say Kyoto and just taking an overnight bag to Hiroshima for 1 night.

Another reason is accommodation is cheaper there compared to Kyoto

Consider where in Osaka the accommodation is. Most of the cheap stuff in Osaka is in the south of the city(which is more interesting) but far from the transit hubs that are used for day trips. So a typical day trip might require several subway lines just to get to the train station before your journey really even starts. And on the way back reaching Osaka you might still be 30-45 minutes away from your hotel; with all the travel during Japan's famous rush hour with crush load trains.

Would you have anymore suggestions for other day trips around Osaka (if we decide to cut Hiroshima from the itinerary)?

There are lots of things to do in Kyoto, you could always use Osaka as a base to explore the much more interesting Kyoto with cheaper accommodation. There are also some day trips from Kyoto that can also be reached from Osaka.

The Kurama to Kibune hike is scenic; it starts with some interesting restuarants built on wooden platforms on top of the river to cool customers down and ends with a lovely onsen. From Osaka take the Keihan line, as JR will leave you with a circuitous connection through downtown Kyoto.

Uji has a lovely temple complex in town and a few others around and famous tea plantations on the surrounding hills. From Osaka take Keihan direct or on JR transfer in Nara or Kyoto.
The Yamazaki Whiskey distillery is Japan's oldest and many say it's best. It is between Osaka and Kyoto and has a fantastic tasting room. Reserve ahead for the better tour.

Koyasan is a popular trip from Osaka, but the temple stays there really deserve a night. Going just for the day probably wouldnt feel worthwhile.

Those JR Region passes...how do you connect them out of their region? eg. JR Kansai West Pass. Do I just buy an individual ticket from Tokyo to Osaka & Kyoto to Kanazawa?

Yes you would buy individual tickets when operating outside the pass's region. Just like when you are on a pass and you want to take a train that is not covered by the pass.

It is good but I have a few suggestions. I am just back from something very similar.

1) Time in Tokyo seems good to me but you can add extra 2 days in Tokyo to do day trips to Nikko and Hakone. You could deduct these days from your Kyoto schedule.
2) Your Osaka schedule seems very very hurried. It looks just like what we did last week. It is doable but is extremely tiring. Where in Osaka do you plan to stay? Always consider the time taken to go to the train station and get out of the train station. These things totally add up to tire you! Shin Osaka Station is a train change from Osaka station. So, even if Kobe is just 35 mins in Shinkansen, the other local travel will take more time.
Also, when do you plan to see Osaka? Osaka bay area is very beautiful. You should definitely go to Cosmo-Square observatory some evening to enjoy Osaka bird eye views!
I Strongly suggest you to add one full day to see Osaka (in addition to the day you arrive)
3) Do Kobe only if you want to eat Kobe Beef.
4) JR 14 days pass is necessary for your trip. It can be activated on the day you leave to Osaka.

I am not sure of Kanazawa/Takayama itinerary - Sorry!