Thanks hawaiiantraveler....you are so helpful!! :)

I am planning this trip for October /November of this year and have flexibility with the dates of travel. I have 16 nights to work with and this is our first trip to China and Japan.

I do want to see the fall foliage so am trying to plan around the time the leaves change. Since the leaves at the Great Wall and Nikko change earlier than Kyoto and Tokyo, that's why I am trying to see those 2 places first. I do agree with you however that trying to fly China to Tokyo and get to Nikko for a short 2 night stay with another heavy travel day to Kyoto after Nikko is doable but not making the best use of my time.

So, my questions are:

1) To optimize fall foliage time in these locations (Beijing-Nikko-Kyoto-Tokyo), when should I go? I was thinking 10/30-11/16 but am now thinking I should go a week or two later....maybe 11/6-11/23? Will Nikko be cold and snowy if I go later? (BTW the leaves change at the Great Wall mid to late October)

2) If I don't stay in a ryokan in Nikko and stay in a hotel instead, should my trip go:
---4N-Beijing, Fly to Narita, 2N-Nikko, 5N-Kyoto, and 5N-Tokyo
OR
---4N-Beijing, Fly to KIX, 5N-Kyoto, 2N-Nikko, and 5N-Tokyo

3) Won't a travel day from Kyoto to Nikko on the train get me in to Nikko around the same time as my flying into Narita at 12:40p and then going on to Nikko? (Minus relying on air travel LOL!!!) ;)

THANK YOU!!! :):)