Kavey you are right. Things just snowballed after our first mistake

Hi Tally,
I googled volunteer guides. Some organisations didn't email until about a week before we left for Japan, but all worked out well.
I'll put the links on this reply to the volunteer guides we used.

Hi Wombat,
I don't know if 8 tourists is acceptable, but if they can help, they will. Perhaps, if available, they'll assist with 2 guides for the day.
Wombat i chose volunteer guides because i felt they'd match a guide to our age group and our interests and be able to give us a very caring and personalised 1-2 experience. Which is exactly what happened.
I understand what you mean by paying for transport and a cheap meal doesn't seem enough, but this is a gift to us and one they really want us to have. I hope you choose to apply for a volunteer guide, i think you will love the experience
No i didn't take those classes in Kyoto. So much to experience, so little time

Here are the links to the volunteer guide services we used. In Kyoto we booked a guide for one day. Kanazawa one and half day booking. Tokyo, one day booking.
Kyoto: http://kyotofreeguide.web.fc2.com/
Kanazawa: http://kggn.sakura.ne.jp/profile_e.html
Tokyo: http://www.tokyofreeguide.org/

marvelousmouse we flew out of Narita airport. Perhaps it was only one train line but if it was, we're still none the wiser, lol.