Hi mrwunfl,
You are spot on about the train to Kinosaki Onsen - it's the 1:17pm train and arrival at 3:10pm by Shinkansen Hikari 393.

However, we'll be taking a slightly later train to Himeji from Kyoto - dep 8:22 and arrival 9:20am. We have engaged a volunteer guide from Kashinoshi Kai, and they seem to think that the train timings are fine. We've confirmed the arrangement and they will meet us at the train station.

From Himeji, I'll probably take the 11:33 train to Osaka, arrival 2:22pm. I was thinking of perhaps visitng the Osaka Aquarium if there's enough time, and the Osaka Castle, though what I really want to see is the Dotumburi area where all the food/ action is. I guess I want a feel of how Osaka is like.

As for Kinosaki Onsen, I had initially wanted to visit Arima Onsen in Kobe for some onsen experience. The idea of having to get there by cable car also piqued my interest. However, a TA expert advised me to try the Kinosaki onsen instead. I read about the town and found it quite interesting, since it's not that far from Himeji. There's also a cable car ride somewhere there, to the top of a mountain i believe. Basically, at Kinosaki, I'll be trying public baths for the first time, and splurging on a ryokan experience, as we are staying at budget places at Kyoto. It's hopefully a breather from all the walking in Kyoto!

Thanks everyone for the help! As far as Kyoto is concerned, I was thinking of renting bicycles for the full day on Day 2, where I'll probably be going from one place to the next, and trying to see a bit of the festival. What do you think?
I'll probably take buses for the rest of my days there.

ps: one question about the bicycles - are bicycle stands readily available? How do we park them near the attractions if we want to get down and go on foot?
Are there locks etc?

Sorry made a mistake about the train- from himeji to kinosaki, it IS the limited express Hamakaze 3, like mrwunrfl said, not the one i said.

So sorry to hear the suggestion from KimJapan that you drop Nara. Using a YMCA guide made our trip to Nara outstanding. I don't think that with all there was to see there, we could have fully appreciated and navigated the site.

If you leave Kyoto on the 7:45 Am train, Himeji can be easily visited in the morning, then train down to Hiroshima for the afternoon. I can't see staying overnight there.

Forget the handicraft center- it's just a big souvenir shop.

Also, forget the silver pavillion- it's been dismantled for renovation, although the gardens were lovely.

I love Nara. We've been 3 times since May for a total of 7 days there.

I suggested that patfoo28 drop Nara because her itinerary is packed much too full with no time to breathe. Having lunch in Nara or going there after lunch serves to add more stress to an already rushed day, and what you can see in a few hours is limited. Since patfoo28 has so many things she wants to see in Kyoto, to me it makes logistical sense to cut out Nara and focus on Kyoto rather than catch a glance of too many places.

Northshoreauntie, I think paftoo28 is planning to go back toward the Osaka area before going back to Kyoto the next day.

Your comment, "Also, forget the silver pavillion- it's been dismantled for renovation, although the gardens were lovely."

This is dispointing news as the pavillion was closed last time on the day we tried to visit. This site is one of the things on my list for our early March visit.

Anyone know how long the renovation will take?

Also when are the Cherry trees usually at their best in Kyoto? Does Hiroshima have any cherry trees I can't remember?

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3907.html

Looks like Spring 2010 according to above for Ginkakuji renovations....

Thanks for the info.

Oh Well, maybe another time.

Ok, makes sense, glad to see that you did consider Arima Onsen. I suppose the proximity to Kobe and Osaka would generally make it less interesting that a more remote place. I took a peek at Kinosaki Onsen and see that it is in a valley, so I would not be surprised at all if there was a ropeway to the top of a mountain (really common in Japan). There is also a ropeway in Kobe, just outside the Shin Kobe station, IIRC. It is a nice ride with a decent view (not the view from Victoria's Peak) and there is a garden that you can walk thru on your way down - or ride back down.

KimJapan was certainly right that going to Nara for lunch was a bad idea. You have added, potentially, more time to it - or exclude it altogether.

Osaka castle was central to Japanese history - it was burned down back in the day. I have been to many castles in Japan but not Osaka-jo. Partly because it is a reconstruction but also because I haven't found another reason (like you have) for me to visit Osaka.

The later train from Kyoto to Himeji is fine, it just takes away time that you might want to spend at Himeji and on its grounds. When I visited, there was an excellent display of bonsai trees on the grounds in front. I recommend not taking a taxi to the castle - the taxi drivers don't want the fare. But there is a taxi stand near the entrance where you pay your admission - might have a taxi for return. The timing you have is right.

I was going to suggest going straight from Kinosaki Onsen thru Osaka to Nara. Then visit Osaka from Kyoto on another day, or afternooon.

But the thing is, you don't want to rush out of Kinosaki Onsen, e.g. plan to not check out until the check-out time.

I started writing a bit on this thread about my visit to Hagi. But I am just going to get to the point.

Your visit to Kinosaki Onsen is the one stop that is off the beaten track. Life there is different. The people are different. Please don't rush it.

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for all these advice and reassurance. It's another 12 hours away to my flight - really excited. I'll definitely try to take in all that's said here, and come back with lots to report.

Pat checking out for now.

Arigato Gozaimashita!