Make sure you bring a REALLY nice gift to your hosts--we were treated royally by a 50 year old friend/business colleague of my father's. A highlight of our stay was in a private guesthouse owned by his company in Hakone. A friend of mine who had lived in Japan for a year said to bring a small piece of steuben glass--we went for Nambe, but when I saw how incredibly kind and generous they were AND the steuben glass collection in his living room, I was sorry that we had not more precisely heeded her advice.

We liked the very moderately priced just plain Park Hotel in Tokyo--but if you are considering Lost in Translation, you may have wider options. The Park Hotel was beautifully decorated (from 25th to 34th floors of building) and had excellent service.

Where we splurged was on a two night stay in a luxury ryokan in Miyajima, the Owasu, recommended by Hawaiian Traveler. We spent one day and a half in the beautiful ryokan and nearby lovely national park and then after our second night went on to Hiroshima, which should not be missed--the Peace Monument is beautiful as well as profoundly sobering--but where I would not tarry.

Buon viaggio!

I gather that you like to ride on trains?

I recommend that you drop Miyajima, Hiroshima, Izu, and Nikko.

Mrwunfrfl-You have to remember this is our first trip. Rememember the first time you went to
Europe. I am however; dropping Nokko. We will save it for another time.I will try to take it easy on the trains.. CMSTRAF- Thanks for the advice. We understand that we have to be respectful. We are thinking of LLadro and sweets. I understand Godiva will be something our hostess will appreciate.Maybe 11 nts-Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka,Matsumaato, Hakone, Tokyo. Is that the right order? two in each place w one in Hiro and Miyajima and 3 in Osaka. That gives us a rest in each spot except Hiro and Miya which are close. Right?

Your schedule sounds good to me citiboy, enjoy your time in Japan. Being with a local family in the beginning will enhance your time there.

Aloha!

Oops, I was looking at lyndabee's itinerary when I made that comment. Four stops, two nights each, sounds good.

Should I spend two nights in Hiroshima and visit Miyajima or spend one in each? HT-you forgot Hakone. Is this the proper order? Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka,Matsumoto, Hakone,Tokyo. I have one night to wing it. Should I pre-arrange reservations and make deposits or whatever now? If so, I will contact you my friends if I need further help in actually booking the reservations.Thanks again.

I would and did do one night each in Hiroshima and Miyajima, Miyajima is a special place especially after that last tourist ferry leaves the island and the streets empty.....

Yes I would start making reservations now if none are made already

Your schedule is the way I would do it. You can put Hakone coming out of Tokyo or going back to it. You can save a little money and rail pass utilizing the Hakone Free Pass which can include the trip from Shinjuku to Hakone or vice versa and all transport inside the Hakone region, also includes discounts to restaurants, shops, museums and all types of venues within Hakone, see here:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html

instead of winging it that one day you should put it into one of the places you will be to savor a little more. Good luck and let us know what happened when you return

Aloha!

Where would you add a night? Thanks.Enjoy shave ice at the trucks heading to the north shore.

Hard for me to answer that without knowing your interests but if it were me I would add the extra night to either Matsumoto or Osaka.....probably to Matsumoto so you could explore the Kiso Valley from there

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6075.html

If you stay at Hotel Kagetsu in Matsumoto it is almost like staying in a ryokan as they do have a nice hot onsen bath downstairs that is wonderful after a long day of sightseeing and a Japanese or American breakfast was included i my room price.

Aloha!

How do you get from Hakone to Hiroshima by train and how long does it take? Thanks.

What is a good hotel suggestion for Hakone? Thanks.

Use this site to figure your train travel and reservations:

www.hyperdia.com

You would take the shinkansen from Odawara to Hiroshima and if you have a JR pass it would take about 287 minutes with one or two transfers.

Odawara is the JR shinkansen station where Hakone is located.

There are many, many places to stay in the Hakone region. The Hakone area is broken up into different sections. Lots of people stay in Hakone-Yumoto, Miyanosita areas. I like it out in Gora, but that is just a personal preference. I have stayed at the Hyatt in Gora twice now and love it but it may be too remote for your likes. See here for a map and explanation of the Hakone area and transport in and around the area.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html

What is your budget and expectations for a room in Hakone? Hakone is a wonderful place to do a ryokan.

Aloha!

we are staying in a Ryokan when we leave for 2 nights from Tokyo in the first wk. How is Fujiya Hotel in Hakone?

in kyoto

Fujiya gets mixed reviews but I don't like its location right in Hakone. Try one of these places. I know several people in HI that have stayed with these hotels in Hakone and enjoyed them

http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/index.html

Aloha!

Hakone-Which two would you say stand out for convenience and spa?Thanks as always

http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/ashinokoqs/index.html

http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/shinanoki/index.html

If you are looking for a splurge, I have not been here yet but not for lack of trying. I have been trying to get a reservation here for the last three years but they have been sold out on the times I have requested, oh well....

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/ha...akoneginyu.htm

Aloha!

Do you recommend booking the swissotel in Osaka directly or through other websites? I find that booking directly you can get a better room but maybe at a greater price. What do you my Fodor friends think?

I am set on the swissotel in Osaka. I am having trouble deciding in Tokyo whether to stay at the Park Hotel, Hyatt Regency or Shinagawa Prince.Pros and cons my friends.Our budget is around $200 per night. Thanks.

I find that booking with the hotel will usually get you the best price but be constantly looking for "that deal" before you get there. If you commit to the Hyatt with prepayment they often offer(The Great Deal I think its called)a discount on their website price of about 20% off the lowest shown rate but it is non refundable. It is the nicest of the three you mention imho.

Aloha!