Could you let me know what you think of the following itinerary -- (first 5 nights in Kyoto; one in Hiroshima; 2 nights in Marugame; last night still not sure. Are we trying to do too much -- we're still not sure of train or ferry time to each place. Thank you

Day 1 Kyoto
Day 2 Spend day in Higashiyama area,visit Gion area at night
Day 3 Spend day in Arashiyama area visit Fushimi Inari
Day 4 -- Aoi Matsuri Festival; trip to Kurama hot springs; Geisha/musical performance at Pontocho theater (good idea?)
Day 5 -- Day trip to Nara
Day 6/7 -- Train from Kyoto to Himeji-jo castle; get back on train to Hiroshima, visit Memorial and spend the night
Day 8 -- Train to Miyajima-guchi, ferry to Miyajima; return to Hiroshima for ferry to Matsuyama (Shikuko) and train to Marugame; stay Okura Hotel
Day 9 -- sight-see from Marugame; stay Okura Hotel
Day 10 -- Travel to Tokushima (1hr) & ferry to Wakayama (1hr) ; visit Koyasan temple complex (train + cable car; time: 1.5 hrs up & back, visit=1.5hrs; total=4.5hrs)
one night at a hotel in Wakayama (where?)

Day 4 sounds too busy.

Day 8 is too busy and you are going the wrong way to Marugame. The best route is by train to Okayama and connect there to a train for Marugame.

Day 10 is a bit much. What happens on Day 11?

On Day 11 we head for Osaka to catch our plane home. Thanks for your help!

One more question: Has anyone stayed in Wakayama? Would this be a good destination for the day before Japan from Kansai Airport? Thanks for your help

About the performance by the geisha at Pontocho - I loved the Kamogawa Odori! It can be VERY busy on the day of the Aoi Matsuri, so you might want to see if you can get tickets ahead of time. Whether you can do anything other than the Aoi Matusuri and Kamagawa Odori on that day depends on which performance you attend. Hope that helps!

Wakayama is about an hour by train from Kansai Airport (betwen 45 and 90 minutes).

I would definitely go to Kamogawa Odori.