valgalchi, thank you. The uniqueness of Kurashiki is definitely appealing and one of the reasons why I'm leaning towards it.

Reading54, thank you for all this transport info. It is very helpful as we consider our options.

mrwunrfl, if we need to include an one-night stay, we will. Given the transfers to get to Kamikochi either way, prefer not to move around with our bags unless necessary. Even if we use the luggage service that I'm aware is available in Japan, still not a fan of carrying around backpacks with laptops, etc., and deal with it while enjoying our visit. Would a day trip to Kamikochi be easier from Matsumoto be easier than from Takayama? I thought it was the same, as both involved transfers. Also wondering if the trails at Kamikochi would still be snow-covered in mid-May when we would be there. We will need to take a closer look at Hagi as it may not make sense if we dropped Kyushu; it would be enroute to Matsue if we go back to it.

ms_go, glad to hear my report was helpful. Hoped you enjoyed Bangkok as much as I did. We're looking at Japan from May 7th through Memorial Day at the moment.

>> ... Hagi as it may not make sense if we dropped Kyushu;
that is a puzzling statement

Try using this website: Okayama to Matsue - 3 ways to travel via train, bus, and car (rome2rio.com)
to see what the travel times between places and to see them on a map.

And some time on japan-guide.com, for example:
Kamikochi Travel Guide (japan-guide.com)

And JNTO has some good stuff. I haven't used their Practical Travel Guide pdfs for years, but just remembered they show transport network info as well as short bits about the places and lodging ...

=1&jnto_category=103]Travel Brochures (japan.travel)

>> Would a day trip to Kamikochi be easier from Matsumoto be easier than from Takayama? I thought it was the same, as both involved transfers.

Maybe you are right. What are the travel times/transfers?

mrwunrfl, appreciate your feedback. I've used japan-guide quite a bit and have browsed the JNTO website but did not notice the pdf guides.

In terms of transport to Kamikochi, it's train to bus from Matsumoto and bus to bus from Takayama but both seem to take similar amounts of time. The first trip from Matsumoto starts an hour earlier. Here are the links in case it's useful for someone else: Train and Bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi | The ALPICO GROUP Official Website provides timetables for bus tour and travel routes to Kamikochi., From Takayama/Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi | 濃飛バス公式サイト (nouhibus.co.jp)

On Hagi, I was just making the observation that it is out of the way compared to the other points of interest if we dropped Kyushu and / or Matsue. Not that one is dependent on the other.

There is a limited express from Okayama to Matsue. JR from Matsue to Hagi goes down the San-in coast to Hagi, maybe change trains at Masuda (I think the trip would be under my 5-hour travel time limit).

Yes, without Hagi you could just blast on down to Kyushu on the shinkansen. There is quite a bit in the western part of Kyushu and five or m ore days would be easy to spend. Nagasaki ans Fukuoka, as mentioned and still on my to-do list are Saga, Shimabara, and Unzen (i have an award ticket to Fukuoka in March for this, but not sure if I wi go). But, forgot to ask why Hagi? (a good answer would be hagiyaki, but also because it is off the beaten path)

My memory of the trip from Takayama to Matsumoto was that Takayama to Kamikochi was 75% of the trip, but I guess the schedule says different. I was a bit lazy in replying on this thread and was thinking of how to fine tune some of the logistics. Your plans work.

I see G7 summit is May 19-21

Thanks again, mrwunrfl. We looked at Hagi as well as Tsuwano, and understand that the two are close enough to visit one from the other. Attracted to the two being smaller towns off the beaten path, castles, samurai history, Hagi ware, as well as proximity to Akiyoshidai caves and Motonosumi Shrine. Only expect to do some of this but these are what piqued our interest.

Takayama was my favorite stop in Japan with its rushing river lined with cherry blossoms, mountain peaks, a lovely place to be. Please include it progol !