IF you are thinking about buying Japanese knives you should educate yourself before leaving for Tokyo. There are many websites/forums that are helpful in this regard. Kitchenknifes forum would be one.
You will need to become familiar with types of Japanese knifes, which tend to have specific uses. The denba referenced above for example is meant to disassemble fish. A all around use knife would be something like a Santoku, usually 170-180 mm or a gyuto 210-240.
There also different steels used with white or blue carbon being very common and VG-10 probably the most common stainless. Choices of handle type, bevel and whether you are right or left handed are also criteria to consider. Lastly, the proper use of these knifes requires them to be sharp, which means that you need sharpening stones. You can usually get one with a combination grit like say, 800/5000. You cannot sharpen Japanese knifes like European knifes as the steel is harder generally in Japanese knifes. This also translates to use as for example you do not want to use a Yanagiba to take apart a chicken as a hard blade will chip when it hits bone. Generally, you do not need that many good knifes for a home cook. I use a 210 Abel-1 monster stainless 210 Gyuto for probably 90% of my kitchen work. A 150 petty, a bread knife and honesuki
Boning knife round out most of what I use. Some would include a paring knife and a slicing knife like a Yanagiba but I rarely use mine.

<<It can be more tricky once you land in Japan, as you will be surrounded by Japanese language. You may be interested in searching for a holiday concierge service -- to have your itinerary created. You get what you pay for, and you save your time.>>

Bollocks.

I've been to Japan twice, navigated it fine twice, planned the bloody trips myself with input from her majesty, and never had a problem. In Japan, I'm an illiterate and can't speak a word of Japanese other than arigato, biru, inari, samurai and the names of sushi types.

English is Japan's second language. You'll be fine as long as you're not daft, one of your party can read a map, and someone can handle timetables for trains.

What BigRuss said...

Ignore the Holidays in Japan post - they are obviously trying to sell their concierge services.

I agree with others, absolutely no need for this.

Tracilee-I feel your pain about planning your trip! I felt the exact same way (self proclaimed Europe expert...) and was very stressed about planning our Japan trip. I even had the same question about "which guidebook" to use. Our trip was this past May, lasted for 17 days and was surprisingly easy. I have not done a trip report but relied heavily on some reports here - especially russ_in_LA who took 2 different trips and has very detailed TRs. If you have not read those yet, look them up. Others who have responded already (I'm looking at you MinnBeef) have great reports too. I used them in planning more than I used the books I bought!

So here are my comments based on our recent experience - I read your itinerary to say that you are staying 2 nights in Hiroshima. Depending on your train schedules (start looking at hyperdia sooner rather than later), you might be able to see the Peace Park, etc. on the afternoon that you arrive, then take an early ferry to Miyajima the following day and return to Hiroshima in the afternoon to see things you missed.

Definitely give some more days to Kyoto. We had 4 nights and would have really enjoyed more. We never got to Nara and didn't see everything in Kyoto at all. Your nephew obviously has also done some research so I would not cut all your time in Osaka - we didn't get a chance to go there, but I wish we had. We spent 2 nights in Kanazawa and, if I had to do it over again, I would have put those nights toward Kyoto if possible or Osaka as my 2nd choice. I'm glad you've given so much time to Tokyo - we loved it.

But basically I want to reassure you again that this will be an easier trip than you think. Our daughter visited 2 months before we did and came back to say "easiest country to travel in, don't worry". One tip - I wish I had learned more Japanese. The few words and phrases I could say were so enthusiastically received that I really wish I had taken the time to learn even more.

Lol. They can get their itinerary checked for free here. You're not a very bright troll.

Thanks for all the knife tips, I will pass them on to my sister and nephew. I told my husband that I doubt I will buying any as I'm so attached to my good old Cutco knife!

AtlTravlr, thank you so much for your reassuring words and helpful suggestions. It sounds like we are kindered spirits so I'm feeling a bit more comfortable already!

Fortunately, my nephew seems to be fine with giving up time in Osaka. I'm now thinking we will go Tokyo>Osaka>Hiroshima>Kyoto. We fly home from KIX but it looks like we can easily take the train from Kyoto to the airport without having to stay overnight in Osaka again. Our flight doesn't leave until 5:30pm. Going from Tokyo directly to Osaka will break up the long train to Hiroshima. We'll look into adding Nara in here somewhere...

I'm going to try to schedule a confernce call with my nephew tomorrow to do some more hammering out.

Thanks to all!

You’ve already gotten some great advice. A few of my thoughts:

I found six nights in Kyoto / Nara barely sufficient. What will work for you will depend on your interests.

For the Japanese Alps, Kanazawa and Takayama are the places I would recommend, but I’m not sure you have time – a good starting estimate would be 3 and 2 nights, respectively.

Enjoy!

Thanks kja, I appreciate the recommendations. We've added days to Kyoto and will also go to Nara but I think the Alps are gong to have to wait for another trip.

Thanks!