We came in to Tenryu-ji through the back entrance (near the bamboo groves paths) and coming down from there, away from the main water and temple buildings, there were some narrow walking paths in shaded glades that were moss garden-like areas, I think.

I loved Otagi Nenbutsuji!! We did it the other way around, taxied to the Togetsu-kyn Bridge, arriving at 7 a.m., walked through the bamboo forest and made our way through the very cute streets, arriving at Otagi Nenbutsuji at 9. We only saw one taxi along the way (that had been called by a resident) but didn't go to the station. It was a lovely morning, but we were ready for a taxi when we saw it!

So excited about our day in Arashiyama. We will be taking a train from Kyoto so hopefully we can find a cab at the station. I've read that it's an uphill climb to Otagi, and I'd rather walk downhill on the return.

I have a couple of train questions I'm hoping someone can help me with. I just bought a 7-day JR Pass because when I did the math, I wouldn't get my money's worth from the 14-day pass. So now I have to figure out how to get the individual tickets for the second half of our trip. This is probably a really dumb question, but, for example, our first day without the pass we will be traveling from Miyajima to Nara (Miyajima-Hiroshima-Kyoto-Kintetsunara)
Do I have to buy individual tickets at each transfer? Once I get to Hiroshima, do I buy a ticket to Kyoto, and then in Kyoto buy a ticket to Kintetsunara?

Also, we will be taking the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Kyoto. Can I buy tickets and make a reservation for that leg of the trip at the JR office in Tokyo when I exchange my pass voucher? We will be taking a Ltd Express train from Kyoto to Nara. Can those tickets and reservations be made ahead of time?

Same goes for the leg of our trip that is Shinimamiya-Osaka-Kyoto. Do I buy the whole thing in Shinimamiya or at each leg of the trip?

Is it worth it to get a SUICA card for just those trips? (Plus one more from Nara to Shinimamiya)

Help.....
Arigato

Miyajima-Hiroshima-Kyoto-Kintetsunara

The Kyoto-Nara leg would be a separate ticket that you would buy from Kintetsu or from a travel agent. Do you specifically want to go to Kintetsu Nara and not JR Nara? You also will be buying tix for the Miyajima ferry and the JR local from Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima.

Yes, you can buy that Hiroshima shinkansen ticket and seat reservation in Tokyo when you do your pass exchange. Or a TA could sell it along with the Kintetsu L'Ex ticket (I think).

JR will sell you tix for that ex-Shinimamiya trip, but you have other rail option and possbile pass options. Am guessing you are going Miyajima- Nara- Koyasan- Kyoto, but what's your whole itin?

You question about Shinimamiya leads me to believe that you are visiting Koyasan.

I just replied to the previous poster who I thought was different from the OP.

blackmons, is this your plan?

Tokyo - 2 nights
Takayama/Kanazawa - 5 nights
Hiroshima/Miyajima - 2 nights
Nara - 1 night
Koya-san - 1 night
Kyoto - 5 nights
Fly out of Osaka

Please break out the number of nights for each of Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, and Miyajima.

Thanks, mrwunrfl
Takayama - 2 nights
Kanazawa - 3 nights
Hiroshima - 1 night
Miyajima - 1 night

As far as Nara, I had read recommendations that it was better to go to the Kinetsu station, but I could do whichever is easiest. Easy is our top priority as it will be confusing enough as it is.

And yes, we will be visiting Koyasan via Nara-Shinimamiya-Gokurakubashi-Koyasan. I will be purchasing the World Heritage Pass to cover the Osaka to Koyasan portions.

The Koyasan-Gokurakubashi-Shinimamiya-Osaka-Kyoto portion, I will use the World Heritage Pass to get me from Koyasan to Shinimamiya, but the Shinimamiya-Osaka-Kyoto portion, do I need to buy a separate ticket at each transfer station? Or would it be easier if I got a SUICA card? We will be taking some trains in Kyoto to Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama (but not all of them from Kyoto Station.) Can I use the SUICA car on all trains?

I get it now. The 7-day pass gets you to Hiroshima or Miyajima on day 7. At Hiroshima station, you go to a TA and buy the shinkansen and Kintetsu L'Ex tix (I think - I haven't done this). We discussed the Shinimamiya part before and just expect to pay as you go unless a regional pass (like the Koyasan World Heritage Pass) can cover the Nara- Koya- Kyoto travel.