From Kyoto to Osaka is 25 minutes or more by train, but you would have to go to KIX which is about 70 minutes by train and 100 minutes by bus....unless you leave from Itami which is a little closer.

some direct hotel links

http://kyoto.okura.com/

http://tinyurl.com/2snxce

http://tinyurl.com/2n2xxk

Aloha!

Sorry if I sound repetitive, but how about driving time? Thank you so much for your patience, if you ever visit Las Vegas (Hawaii's 5th island, right?) I will buy you a drink!

I don't know......maybe 90 or more minutes if you drive with no traffic. Your not thinking of driving are you? That would be stressful especially in Japan ;)

Buses and trains are the way to go.

Very comfortable and affordable. The limo bus service has a stop at the Granvia hotel in Kyoto which is direct to KIX. I have used it and it is wonderful. They will drop you right at your terminal gate so its literally door to door.

Some other fodorites have also mentioned hiring drivers before in Kyoto that do airport transfers....just can't seem to remember who. Maybe someone else with chime in with the information soon.

The only military museum is in Tokyo near Yasukukni Shrine,Japan's memorial to their war dead.It is called Yushukan and was founded in 1882.If my memory serves me correctly, there is an exhibit on the kamikaze pilots along with a replica plane. I hope this helps.

So HawaiianTraveler if I understand you correctly you cannot take rail directly kyoto-osaka but must go via the airort which makes the route 90 mins?

The Westin looks especially good as we have a gold card membership though our AMEX cc.

Mflickermd, thanks for the mention of Yushukan. We will certainly visit. I have to fit in things that make both of us happy and he's really into military stuff because of his pops' service.

travelinwifey - I think ht was trying to explain to you how to get to Kyoto from the airport near Osaka which is KIX.

Yes, you can go direct from Kyoto to Osaka without going to the airport.

Also here is a link to the museum that mflickermd mentioned -

http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/yushukan/index.html

That Okinawa tour sounds good. Ok to skip Hakone then since you are getting out into some nature on Okinawa. You are getting beyond Tokyo-Kyoto which I think is a very good idea (for any trip of a week or more). There is some effort required in traveling to, and around, the Hakone area. That may not be worthwhile to some people for one night.

You could have a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone as an option for one of your Tokyo days. If the weather forecast for the next day is clear (so that you can see Fuji-san) then book it (a tour bus that picks up at your hotel, for example).

You won't need a JR Pass for your trip.

MK Taxi is a company that provides car/driver service. They are in Kyoto.

I saw on TV once something about caves on Okinawa that were used during WWII. And/or it was dugout tunnels and rooms.

Wow, I am truly impressed by everyone's expertise. I can't thank all of you enough.

I need to contact the tour operator and see the exact Osaka airport they would have me fly out of. If they only do Tokyo flights we'd have to do Kyoto first.

It would be really nice to see Hakone, it would be nice if we can fit it in.

And thanks for the link to the museum!

that's why he is mrwunrfl

they also do tours in Kyoto

http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/

Hai! :"> When are you in Kakunodate, ht? I think you will hit the sakura just right in Tokyo and down south, based on the japan-guide "best viewing" dates.

mrw, We are hoping it will be the right time.....you never know till your there. ((?))

We plan to be in Hirosaki 4/25 and Kakunodate 4/26 thru 4/28. I'll be in Noboribetsu before that so hope we are guessing correctly.

"Guessing correctly" is that an oxymoron?, lol

Aloha!

Hi again, just an update. Well I priced the Okinawa hotel direct and it was $280/nt so there is no explanation why the price is soooo extravagent with realjapan.com.

So at least I have the days set up where we want to be for Tokyo and Kyoto, and we are using Jun's tours for Tokyo one day.

Just an update, the rates have changed. It's now $200 plus travel expenses for up to 7 hours.

Will keep searching....

Hi there!!! I just posted our two week trip (we also are using miles for our tickets) and we think we are getting a nice balance of spas and nature and history!!! We thought about Okinaawa too but decided against it in case the weather was dicey - instead we decided to go to Kyushu where there's beach and ocean too!!! Think about Miyazaki for a "beach resort" - the Phoenix seagaia resort looks like a great place to veg out. We ended up choosing ryokans instead of a beach resort. Kumamoto apparently has great gardens and if you are after interesting nature, you might want to check out Yakushima. There's apparently a cool pilot's museum near Kagoshima too.

Japan is apparently very hot in July.

Thank you so much Puttakka! You may have just solved my dilemma. I will most certainly read your trip report now:)

Yea! I'm excited\:D/

Another thing to consider is that Hiroshima does not have to be approached as a sad place. Peace Park is beautiful and speaks of new life. I would encourage you to reconsider Hiroshima. You may want to skip the museums there, but the actual park is wonderful and worth seeing.

Just a thought.

Either way, you will love Japan!

Actually another reason my spouse doesn't want to go to Hiroshima, in addition to the atrocity that happened there, is the possible radiation still in the area. He is exposed to radiation every day at work so he tries to avoid it away from work as much as possible.

I'm getting there! I'm getting there!

Well, I won't worry about residual radiation. The atomic bomb was dropped more than 60 yrs ago, and there are many local residents there with no apparent health impacts. You'll probably be exposed to more radiation flying long-haul.

Thanks W9London. Since we are now going to Kyushu oerhaos we will venture to Nagasaki.

I hope to get the hotels wrapped up today so things are set for the ta to book for us tomorrow.

What is your itin now?

Nagasaki is an interesting place. It has a long history as an international city with Dutch, Chinese, Korean, English, Portuguese influences, the U.S. Navy in 1853, and the bomb. It is important in Japanese art history, too. I enjoyed staying there, hopping on the ancient street cars to get around.

Oh, if I could only get a few pennies with each typo...I could buy a pizza pie:D

Okay, I am getting (hopefully) into the final phases of the planning.

The 4 Seasons has a 4th night free package which I couldn't do over the website. If she can get it for me we will use one of the 4 Tokly days to see Mt. Fuji if it's clear or Nara.

July 13, 14, 15, 16? Tokyo

July 17-21 hotel yet TBD but definitely 1 night at Hiiragiya ryokan

July 21-25 at Miyazaki Sheraton. I think we can take one hour train trips to visit the northern part of the island.

July 25th and 26th back to Tokyo then home.

Encouragingly my spouse said we can return again to Japan one day if all goes well, I really do want to see Okinawa.

Thanks (me bowing my head) for the assistance:)