We stayed at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and although the location was great, the room that we got was very small. I compared it to a cruise ship cabin. But I hear that the rooms on the Annex Tower are bigger and better. We did get a great deal though through Travelocity.com.

All reservations are confirmed except for the two nights in Kyoto thanks to all of you. I am heading to Kyoto w my son, daughter in law(Japanese american),and wife.We are looking for a moderate priced Ryokan fron the 2nd of June through the 4th. We do not want service in the room as we would like to eat our meals together.any suggestions? Matsubaya only has western style rooms available. Thanks.

In Kyoto, we enjoyed the hospitality at Sawaya Honten: 25 Kawahara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku. We made our reservation through http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm

There are some nice, inexpensive restaurants in the area, too.

Thanks Paul. Where do you pick up Hakone pass. When you leave Tokyo by train, where do you connect w Hakone local lines? After you leave Japan Rail, How long to Gora? Thanks.

What do you think of the Hotel Granavia at the station in Kyoto?

I loved the Granvia in Kyoto. Very convenient to transport and shopping, restaurants in the station which is a site in itself. Discount is given with JR Pass. I write about it in one of my trip reports

Aloha!

When you leave Tokyo you will get off at JR Odawara station which is the gateway to Hakone. You can buy you Hakone Free Pass at the Odawara station and connect right there to the Hakone Tozan Railway. I forget but takes maybe one hour or less up to Gora via the train systems. See here for details:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html

Aloha!

Thanks as always for all of your help. Here is the itinerary I have put together. Comments, suggestions? 5/28-Miami to Tokyo.Private home in Tokyo 5/29 to 6/2. 6/2-6/4-Kyoto.6/4-6/6-private home in Tokyo.6/6 t0 6/8-Hakone. 6/8- 6/9 Hiroshima. 6/9 to 6/10-Miyajima,6/10-6/13-Osaka.6/13-6/15 Matsumoto.6/15 to 6/17-Tokyo.
We love crabs, oysters,whole fish,calamari and sashimi. Any restaurants that stand out for these on our trip? We especially like crabs!
Any particular medium level hikes that stand out.Is it possible to see Mt. Fuji and from where?
Thanks a lot.

I forgot Octopus and good bars to eat in. Thanks for everything.I promise to file a good trip report.

Here are links to two posts on my blog, packed with information from a friend who has visited Japan 10 times and talks about his favorite things:

bit.ly/4hITHy
bit.ly/jHVuP

Enjoy your trip!
boldlygsolo.com

In Hakone, there's a nice hiking trail behind the Hakone Checkpoint in Hakone-Machi. The trail takes you around lake Ashi and takes you to the Hakone Detached Palace. There's not much to the palace, but the view along the trail was absolutely beautiful and they say that in a good day, you may even be able to see Mt. Fuji. There were a lot of steps involved though, so it may be hard for families with small children or for people that have trouble walking. You can visit this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5207.html

You can see Fujisan if she is out from the Hakone Ropeway between Owakudani and Togendai. Then on again Lake Ashi near the Hakone-machi shoreline and in some spots along that same shoreline. There is also a spot in the Hyatt in Gora through the windows behind the reception desk so there must be other spots in Gora up on the hill but I don't know where.

Look along the Dotombori shopping arcade in Osaka for that big crab sign you saw in my pictures, can't miss it. There under the sign is a great crab restaurant. A few doors down is a good octopus restaurant, just look for the big octopus sign outside,lol. No English names but picture menus and plastic food displays that explain all they serve.

Here is the explanation of the hike mentioned above. I loved it too.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5205.html

Also highly recommend Gonpachi Japanese Restaurant in Roppongi, Tokyo for great sashimi and other seafood you mention. We had a gtg here with some other fodorites and really enjoyed ourselves. Reservations are a must and they may put a two hour time limit on your table because of the popularity of the place.

http://www.gonpachi.jp/en/nishi_azabu/home/location

Looking forward to reading your report when you return.

Aloha!

Thanks Panda and my friend Hawaiian traveler. How far is the walk from the castle? There are two walks described in Hawaiians link. I assume it is the first described walk. Sounds great and there is a place for lunch nearby.Hopefully, I can get a glimpse of fujisan in early June.Gonpachi looks like just the place I was looking for.
Thanks.

I was confused. I meant the train station and not the castle.
Thank you.

Actually the one that I was talking about is neither one. The trail that I mentioned is one of the trails in the Hakone Detached Palace Gardens. The entrance to this one is right after passing thru the Hakone checkpoint. The trail takes you along Lake Ashi and leads to the Hakone Detached palace. If you buy the Hakone free pass, it includes the sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi. You would take the boat from Togendai station to Hakone-Machi. You can then find the entrance after you visit the Hakone checkpoint which is about 5 minutes from the boat stop.

All of the hikes sound great.Anybody know of any good ones in Monsumato?That being in the mountains must have some good spots.Thanks.

The printable Nagano guide on JNTO's website has walking routes for Matsumoto and Kamikochi: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/index.html
There are lots more guides there: e.g., Hakone.

I am out of the itinerary phase of planning. Now, I turn to my wifes favorite-Shopping. Any suggestions on things to buy for the home.Do the Japanese have any worthwhile art or any other suggestions? Thanks as always.

Our wives should meet,lol. What kind of shopping do you like to do specifically? Here is the tried and true list to give you some ideas.

http://shops.japan-guide.com/shops

There are specific areas of Tokyo and now Osaka I like to haunt, Ameyoko in Tokyo and The Dotombori-Namba areas of Osaka.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3012.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

I hope you don't mind me leaving the links but it sure beats typing out all explanations,lol

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler-you have been a blessing. I usually like shopping for clothes but at 6 ft. 200 lbs I think I will have difficulty w the Japanese sizes. My wife likes knives and will probably find what she wants. I always count the knives before I go to sleep-lol.She loves to shop but is limited because of 22 inch suitcases. However; in Thailand, we bought and filled two duffel bags for our trip home.