Golden Week in Japan

Personally I wouldn't stay a week in Osaka,regardless of price (BTW no particular reason why it should be expensive there in GW,compared to Tokto,Kyoto etc...its not a great tourist destination).

If you want to go to Hiroshima I'd stay there a couple of days and visit Miyajima etc.Nara is easy as a day or overnight trip from Kyoto.Kobe is pretty uninteresting for me.Kyoto is a far better choice IMHO..why not stay more time there?

If you DO decide to stay in Osaka,around Shin Osaka station is one of the least interesting parts

I totally agree with Luc, with 2 weeks in Japan, I wouldn't spend much time in Osaka. Unless you have a specific reason to stay there, I would probably skip Osaka, its not a bad place, but its much less interesting than all the other places I have been to in Japan. And would certainly NOT stay there for one week.

If you want to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima, doing so on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto is not really a great idea in my opinion. You will spend about 5 hours traveling and will therefore only have a few hours there. I would either skip it, or spend 1-2 nights there (preferably on Miyajima, so that you also get to stay in a small place, besides staying in big cities).

Thanks so much Luc and Nathalie. Looks like it might be back to the drawing board to deciden but have definitely changed our mind about Osaka. Love the sound of Miyajima. Are there any other traditional places you might suggest.. We haven't been to Japan before and just want to experience some of the history of the country. Wish we had time to go to Takayama as it looks superb.

cheers

What have you booked already? How many days in Kyoto and Tokyo?

Have you already bought the JR pass? Its not always a good deal,unless you plan on lots of long distance trips in a short period....

Haven't bought the pass yet. I did crunch the numbers and it seemed to work out to our benefit using Hyperdia.com on the itinerary I originally had. We have 3 nights booked in Tokyo, then 3 nights already booked in Kyoto. We have 14 days in all so 8 to go. BTW Hyperdia says the fare is worth Yx and then Yx for a seat. ie Toyko to Kyoto total is Y14,110 which is Y8,210 for the fare and Y5,900 for a seat. If I did it individually would I be paying a total of Y14,110 or do I just need the fare of Y5,900? Rather confused on this one.

No,the total is right.Its a base figure plus the shinkansen supplement...Hyperdia doesn't word it well.There are different"seat fees"for different clases of travel.

Are you also flying out from Tokyo?

Yes, flights locked into Tokyo and out of Tokyo. Can you clarify for me - if I buy a Shinkansen 14 ordinary day pass, do I then have to pay more for a seat?

Can you clarify for me - if I buy a Shinkansen 14 ordinary day pass, do I then have to pay more for a seat?

No you don't. But you might have to make yourself a reservation in advance to guarantee yourself a seat. Shinkansen trains don't usually sell out in Japan, but Golden Week is one of the few times of the year when they do. If there are no seat reservations available, you'll have to stand. If it's not Golden Week when you travel, your chances of getting a seat - even last minute - are much higher.

Are there any other traditional places you might suggest

Tons and tons of options. I suggest you read a guidebook, or perhaps have a browse through this website:

www.japan-guide.com

As above.In busy periods you should reserve your seat.These reservations are free if you have the pass.

If you don't make them you can still get on the train but might need to stand (if the unreserved cars seats are all full).