I'm going to Japan for 10 days in May, and this will be my first time there. After lots of debating back-and-forth, I've decided to keep it simple and stay 5 nights Tokyo (Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku Hotel) and 5 nights Kyoto (Monterey Hotel).

I do want to see more of the country besides large cities, but I've decided to do that by planning a few day trips instead of spending one night in one place, and the next night somewhere else, which for me gets tiring.

I am still wondering though, if I should cut a night from each city and spend 2 nights in Nikko?

Any thoughts or feedback is always appreciated!

I think it is a great idea. Are you flying in/out of NRT?

yes, into and out of NRT, on an award ticket so I can't change airports

So it could be 4 nights in Tokyo, 4 in Kyoto, and 2 in Nikko. Activate a 7-day JR Pass for the day you leave for Kyoto and use it for Tokyo-Kyoto-Nikko-NRT.

Ship your luggage from Kyoto to NRT and just take a small bag to Nikko.

I think you have a good plan with Nikko. Don't forget to plan a bus ride up to Lake Chuzenji one day, it's a spectacular ride. Agree with mrwunrfl on the usage of your JR Pass.
What are your plans for Tokyo and Kyoto?

Aloha!

Great advice, especially about shipping my luggage from Kyoto to the airport, which I never would have considered. Looks like Nikko it is.

I'm still working out the details for Kyoto and Tokyo. Since it's my first visit, I do want to see all the "highlights" and include one or two day trips.

John H,

We are stopping in Tokyo on our way home from South Korea in April. We are also staying at the SunRoute Plaza Shinjuku for four nights and 3 nights in Kyoto. In Kyoto we are staying at the ANA. We have been to Tokyo before but not Kyoto. We are also using ff miles. I'll check out the SunRoute and report to you!

thanks hester! Sunroute has a lot of positive feedback on TripAdvisor.

I do highly recommend Himeji Castle as a day trip from Kyoto.

mrwunrfl,
How to ship luggage from Kyoto to NRT?

rimwall,

see here for luggage service info

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Aloha!