Japan Restaurant Week and other itinerary questions
 

Hi Fodorites,
I'm hoping that someone will be able to give feedback and answer itinerary questions for my upcoming trip to Japan 24 January-5 February.

Although travelling alone I have a few contacts in Tokyo to go to eat with and I'm lucky enough to have booked my flights during Japan Restaurant Week (top restaurants with affordable lunch and dinner menus). I will be eating all sorts of Japanese cuisine during the trip but I am mainly interested in trying high class sushi restaurants with the promotion. So my first question is, has anyone tried the following in Tokyo:
Ginza Rin
Sushi Karaku
Misuji
http://jrw.jp/kanto/index_en.html

Also I have been searching for a day sushi class in tokyo for under 10,000 JPY. So far I've only seen Sakura Sushi school offering classes in simple English. The Tsukiji market walk and sushi making tour looks a little overpriced and mainstream. Has anyone any alternatives to these in Tokyo?

Now, here's my proposed itinerary:
-3 nights in Tokyo.
(Start 7 day JR pass)
-1 night Osaka
-1 day/night Kinosaki. My favourite Ryokan is Onishiya Suisyouen. Has anyone been and in Kinosaki If I get room only, where can I eat the winter crab?
-4 nights in Kyoto. I'm booked for a private sushi cooking class with Kyotouzuki.
-I would like to stop off for the day near Mt. Fuji on my way back to Tokyo and so far I've heard Shizuoka is interesting for scenery/tea/strawberry beaches. Is this doable?
-Last 3 nights in Tokyo.

I also welcome Japanese art expo or other sushi related suggestions that are scheduled during my stay and I am still flexible to change the itinerary.

Thanks and Happy 2013!

TT

If you don't get answers here, you might try Chowhound's Japan board:
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/45

Tokyo Sushi Academy offers classes for tourists. Not inexpensive. WAK Japan in Kyoto has a class as does Uzuki. Nara Cookery School. I'm sure there are more. These are just off the top of my head.

I have Uzuki booked already in Kyoto and have just confirmed Sakura in Tokyo.
Thanks for the response!

I missed this the first time around and you are already on your trip but if you check in, here are a few answers to your questions.

In Kinosaki Onsen there is a large crab restaurant just outside of town on the main hwy with a HUGE sign that can't be missed as its the only building in the area. In the main town which is very small and walkable there are five or six small restaurants right across and around the little JR train station and several fish stores selling crab to take away or be shipped to your home. The town is very small and definitely walkable.

Taking the shinkansen from Kyoto to Shizuoka is easy on your way to Tokyo. Shizuoka is a shinkansen stop on the way to Tokyo on some Hikari shinkansen and all Kodama trains. On the Hikari it takes 96 minutes and Kodama a little over two hours. Just get off at Shizuoka station. do your sightseeing, and get back on the next train to Tokyo.

Here is a restaurant guide and recommendations for all Japan.

http://www.gnavi.co.jp/en/

Must be cold in Japan right now, enjoy!

Aloha!