We are planning our first trip to Japan and are very excited. We are learning that there is much more to see and do than we originally realized and want to highlight those areas of interest for both of us and are seeking our fellow fodorites help. We will fly into Osaka and home from Tokyo-should we use all train transportation to get around or rent a car for part of the time? We are both interested in Japanese cuisine and have found a cooking class in Kyoto but are also interested in Samarai history and sword making and Geisha history and silk making. We plan to visit historical sites like Hiroshima but also want to experience old Japan. We do not need to see every temple and would like to learn which ones are must visits. We would also like to know about some ryokan recommendations. I have read conflicting reports on timing of cherry blossoms. Any and all information welcome. Thank you so much.

In April, the Gion hanamachi in Kyoto holds the Miyako Odori (geisha dances). I absolutely loved it.
http://www.miyako-odori.jp/odori_en.html

In May, there is a grand sumo tournament in Tokyo as well as one of the biggest (maybe biggest) festivals of the year.

Silk making - in Kanazawa you can get a tour to a traditional (charming) silk making factory in the mountains outside of town. You can also get a lesson on Kaga Yuzen (a silk-dyeing method).
Take a look here: http://discoverkanazawa.com/ I think you can arrange both tours via that website.

The following page describes Kaga Yuzen and the experience that you can have, including trying on kimono:
http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/eng/info/info3_2.php

Kanazawa also offers the Nagamachi Samurai district:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4204.html

Kanazawa has the Higashi Chaya (east teahouse) district with old-style Japan, with arts and crafts - crafts including gold leaf, of which Kanazawa (marsh of gold) is famous.
http://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.gr.../course02.html

Of course, Kanazawa is home to Kenrokuen, one of the most famous Japanese gardens:
http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niw...n/e/index.html

Mrwunrfl how can I thank you for all of these wonderful resources and information. I cannot wait to get started on my plans. Thank you for your kindness. This is wonderful!

do itashimashite, lrtayloe, but we are just getting started.

Here is the essential Japan website: http://www.japan-guide.com/

I also like this site: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

The japanese guest houses website has a lot of info about staying in ryokans, descriptions of regions, and details about individual ryokans. But there is also a good bit of general info too.

You can start at the following link by taking a look at the overview map of Japan:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/prefecture.htm

For cherry blossoms you'll need to be in Japan early to mid-April (Tokyo. Kyoto, Kanazawa). Kanazawa could, as MrW says, satisfy on a lot of levels - samurai, art including silk and the famous Kaga Yuzen, history, cuisine and geisha.

For visitors, trains are easiest and most cost effective unless your plans involve going to places that trains don't go, which aren't many.

Between Kanazawa and Kyoto Yamanaka Onsen and Yamashiro onsen have some outstanding ryokan.

I am ever so grateful for your help. My flights are booked. Wondering about ryokan in Kyoto. I saw Mume is mentioned in a few places. Do all ryokan come with meals, breakfast and dinner? I am not exactly sure what to expect. Are all onsen communal? I think I need to understand more about proper etiquette for either. Thank you

Good questions! Lots of helpful information that should answer your questions can be found at the above-mentioned site:

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

Enjoy!

Generally, a ryokan stay comes with dinner and probably breakfast. In fact, a large part of the cost of your stay is the dinner. Dinner and breakfast are optional at some places, but they are the exception.

In general, onsen baths are communal and gender separated. At a ryokan that has an onsen you may be able to reserve it for private, "family", use.

I'll point you back to the japaneseguesthouses website, but start here:

<b>About Ryokans</b>,
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/a...okan/index.htm

After that, click on the button on the left of the page that says: <b>Ryokan Styles</b> or just click this:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/a...kan/styles.htm

Then, this page describes many Kyoto ryokan.
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kyoto/index.htm

Mume is described as a boutique hotel and not a ryokan.

I just came across this, which should help:

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/cu...index.html#inn

This has been so helpful. Thank you all! One last question, just realized my flight goes into Itami instead of Kansai airport in Osaka and the hotel reports that it will take two forms of transportation to get there. Any other thoughts on this? We are flying with ANA for the firs time, which we are told, will be a wonderful experience, but did not realize that there were two airports.