Getting back to this after a great trip to the Balkan countries. I've reworked this a bit. We've decided that where possible we'd like to stay 3-4 nights. We begin with a week in Tokyo and end with 8 nights in Kyoto as we do enjoy settling in esp in big cities and slowly taking in the city. We end up with 2 long train rides, but that's ok. The order to a certain degree was determined by our desire to go to the Takayama Fall Festival so I realize it may not be in the logistically perfect order. Your comments are welcome!

Tokyo (7 nights) Tobu train to Nikko
Nikko (3 nights)
5 hr Train with 2 changes to Kanazawa
Kanazawa (4 nights)
Pick Up Rental Car
Noto Peninsula (3 nights)
Drive from Noto Peninsula to the Tojinbo cliffs (3 hours per Google Maps). Explore the cliffs and spend the night somewhere in the Fukui City area -- suggestions as to where? (1 night)
Next day drive to Toyama with a stop in Shirakswago
Return rental car & sleep in Toyama (1 night)
Next day the Alpine Route ending in Matsumoto
Matsumoto ( 2 nights)
Bus to Takayama - Anyone know how to reserve bus tickets in advance?
Takayama for the festival (3 nights)
Train to Kurashiki (4 hr 40 w/ 2 changes)
Kurashiki (3 nights)
Train to Kyoto (90 minutes)
Kyoto 8 nights

I haven't been to the places you will visit between Kanazawa and Takayama, but the rest sounds good to me. Given that you like a relaxed pace and will be attending the festival in Takayama, you might want another night there; it really depends on what you want to do in that city.

Thanks, yestravel, my trip was absolutely wonderful!

What I meant about Takayama is that the city itself -- not counting the festival -- has a lot to offer, possibly more than the time you have allotted will allow. In addition to the festival, Hida no Sato can easily take a full day. The Hida Museum of Art is stunning, with its collections of glass and Mackintosh and other things; easily several hours. The Jinya can take an hour or two. And then there are all the temples, which I didn't have time to see -- and some people spend a day or three just visiting them.

Hope that helps!

Thanks - I should check over there. What I am reading is that bus tickets for that route are not reserved and can only be bought on the day of travel.

If you are going to ask elsewhere, I'd ask on japan-guide.com

Yes, thanks, I did -- I have a question in with them. So far nothing helpful back.

Matsumoto and Alpen Route before Kanazawa seems more efficient. You can avoid the stop in Toyama by taking the Alpine Route on the way from Matsumoto and dropping off the car in Takayama, if that is feasible. You could visit Kamikochi from Matsumoto, if that is part of your plan, or Hirayu/Okuhida from Takayama with that car or by bus.

Anyway, I am not clear if you are taking the bus directly from Matsumoto to Takayama or if you are planning to make stops enroute, as I mentioned.

Uji at japan-guide forum could likely answer the bus ticket questions. Maybe JNTO could help.

Thanks for your thoughts. I realize our route is not the most efficient. We want to go to the festival in Takayama so that is a determining factor in the order of where we are at various dates.
I'm not sure I understand == are you suggesting we go from Nikko to Matsumoto, then take the Alpine Route? Then Kanazawa?
Our current plan is to go from Matsumoto by bus directly to Takayama.

I've gone on several fora and what I have learned re the bus ticket from Matsumoto to Takayama is that there are no reservations for that line. You need to buy it that day. There are frequent buses.

Yes, that is what I am suggesting. Are you planning to make enroute stops between Matsumoto and Takayama?

The fora are correct for the Nohi bus between Matsumoto and Takayama.

Here is a link to the Nohi Bus webpage that shows the route map, timetable, and fares for their Takayama - Matsumoto Line:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/matsumoto_en/

It clearly says: Reservations are not required for the Matsumoto Line.

It was in Kamikochi where I had to buy a reserved seat for a bus to Matsumoto.

Ok, thanks. I will look at how that rerouting might work. No, at this point we do not plan stops between Matsumoto & Takayama. Is what you are suggesting for stops ones for a few hours or are you suggesting overnight stays? Thanks

By "enroute stop", I was asking if you were planning to make stops along the way for a few hours. I was assuming that you were - which is why I made my comments about bus seat reservations - even though those stops were not mentioned.

Anyway, I don't know why I didn't just suggest going to the bus company's webpage instead of another forum or JNTO! It does show that some of their lines do require reservations.

If you are now thinking about an enroute stop in Kamikochi then I suggest you go to the webpage of the company(ies) that operate the transport to/from there to find out about reserved seats.

>> even though those stops were not mentioned.
... by you

At this point I'm trying to work out the big picture itin. Specific stops or other places to see will come later. Thanks for the suggestions I will certainly look into them.

I had looked at the bus line's web pae and somehow I missed the statement about the reservations - or the no need for them.

Help with Trains re Japan Railpass - Our itin is set and listed below. We leave in a few weeks. I've been playing with the train website trying to see if we would benefit from a rail pass, likely a 7 day one which is $264. I looked at shortest least transfer routes. Some didn't require a JR pass. I can't figure out any way that we benefit price-wise, but perhaps I am missing something. I am definitely a novice at this. Is there some combination I am missing that would be a benefit to get a pass.

Tokyo (7 nights) Tobu train to Nikko ($25.88)
Nikko (3 nights)
5 hr Train with 2 changes to Kanazawa ($107)
Kanazawa (4 nights)
Pick Up Rental Car
Noto Peninsula (3 nights)
Drive from Noto Peninsula to the Tojinbo cliffs (3 hours per Google Maps). Explore the cliffs and spend the night somewhere in the Fukui City area
Next day drive to Toyama with a stop in Shirakswago
Return rental car & sleep in Toyama (1 night)
Next day the Alpine Route ending in Matsumoto
Matsumoto ( 2 nights)
Bus to Takayama
Takayama for the festival (3 nights)
Train to Kurashiki (4 hr 40 w/ 2 changes) ($153)
Kurashiki (3 nights)
Train to Kyoto (90 minutes) ($77)
Kyoto 8 nights

When I do my calculations I use yen but I assume your numbers are equivalent. A JR national pass usually works when one takes a long trip or several short trips in a few number of days so your itinerary looks like it wouldn't work. Nor would a regional pass as far as I know....

Yes, this is the $ equivalency per Oanda. (My mind is not there yet with yen.) What it seemed to me is exactly what you say. We're in places too long to take advantage of the pass. Might have been different if the festival didn't fall when it did.