My husband and I are going to Japan the week of Thanksgiving Nov16-25. We fly into Tokyo. How many days do you think we need there? We will also go to Kyoto. As we haven't planned much yet besides booking the flights I would love to have some advice on what to do and see in Tokyo and side trips as well. Many thanks

On the 19th, go to Meiji Shrine to see the shrine and to see families celebrating Shichi Go San.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichi-Go-San

Late afternoon of the 19th or the morning of the 20th, go to Kyoto. Make a day trip to Nara.

This should be right at the peak time for fall colors in Kyoto and Nara.

Depending on when your flight from Tokyo departs, you might be able to take the train from Kyoto to Narita Airport on that day. But might be better to just go from Kyoto to Tokyo or to Narita airport on the evening of the 24th.

Optionally, you could leave Kyoto in the morning and stop in Hakone on the 24th to spend the night in a traditional ryokan. Then go to the airport the next day.

should have suggested to: stay at a traditional ryokan AND soak in an onsen bath.

Book your Kyoto accommodation now - the city will be bursting with visitors for fall colours.

I agree that reservations for Kyoto should be done ASAP. November is one of the best months for traveling in Japan. The weather will be just right. Make sure you hit the onsen resorts on weekdays for a smaller crowd and lower rates.

I think you prob need more than 8 days if you want to do both Tokyo and Kyoto. Depending on where you are traveling from (east coast vs west coast), your first and last days will be spent on getting in/out of airports.

Thanks for this information. We will have to check out the celebrations on the 19th.
Does anyone have a recommendation for the traditional ryokan? How about a reasonably priced hotel for Kyoto? I didn't realize what a busy time Nov is to travel to Japan. It just coincided well with days off for us.

Try doing a search on this forum for things to do and you will find lots of useful information. Trip reports are the best as it is fun to read about other people's trips and also gain ideas for things to do. It sounds like you have 8 days. So perhaps 4 and 4? We went to Japan for 9 days and did Tokyo (3 nights) -> Hakone (1 night) -> Kyoto (2 nights) -> Tokyo (1 night). I think that is a popular itinerary as I have seen others on this forum do the same.

Depending on what you would like to do more, you might want to spend more or less time in each city. If you would like to visit temples and gain an idea of Japanese history and culture, perhaps more time in Kyoto than Tokyo.

As far as ryokan recommendations, once again try searching on this website. We stayed at Kansuiro in Hakone and loved it. I have heard good things about Ichinoyu Honkan on this board. Some others, but I cannot remember now. Try this site as well -

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm

Have a great time!