HI all! Thanks to reading what feels like a million posts on here, I have a good grip on my Japan trip in September except for the final days. Friday will be my last day in Kyoto and then Sunday I have a 5pm flight out of Narita. So Saturday I would like to use as a "cushion" day. Seeing Mt. Fuji from a distance is on the wife's bucket list so we have time built in at the beginning of the trip while in Toyoko to hopefully make this happen as a day trip, probably from Akakurayema Segan Park but that's still flexible. If the weather does not cooperate, then we have this "cushion" day at the end of the trip to give it one more chance. But I am having trouble figuring it out. I would like to be someplace to allow us to see Mt. Fuji if the weather is good but also provides a nice final day of sightseeing in case we were fortunate to see it at the start of vacation. Since we are in this part of the country, seeing Kotoku-in in Kamakura is a must do as well.

Should I try to leave Kyoto Friday evening and land...where? Hakone? Kamakura? some place else? Or just leave Saturday morning and make a few stops along the way to ultimately land - I am not sure where? Maybe this is just a relaxing day trying to see Mt Fuji and spend at an onsen? Then see Kotoku-in before the airport Sunday morning? Not sure why I am struggling so much with this one so could really use some advice as to what you all think is practical and would be a nice way to end this 15 day trip. I'd take hotel recs as well for this area while we are at it TIA!!

You are not likely to see Mt Fuji from Tokyo in September unless you have a typhoon in which case the day afterwards often has clear skies. I would go to Hakone on your way back to Tokyo for the best chance to see my Fuji.

You will see Fujisan from the shinkansen to Kyoto, weather permitting.

From Kyoto get off the shinkansen at Odawara. Look for lodging in Hakone-Yumoto, or Gora or anywhere on the loop including Odawara.

By the loop I mean the Hakone Loop. You can get great views of Fujisan and it makes for a nice day even if the weather is cloudy.
Hakone Round Course - Hakone Travel
Hakone Free Pass (Hakone Freepass)

>> Akakurayema Segan Park but that's still flexible

Ok, that is flexible. Good. Kamakura is a must do for you. Instead of going to that park just go to Kamakura instead.

You might have a second chance to see Fuji on Sunday.

I would ship luggage from Kyoto to the airport. I think it would need to be shipped 2 or 3 days in advance.

Thanks mrwunrfl I will look into those links and see what I can find. My fear with just going to Kamakura at the beginning of the trip is what if its a nice day at the start and not the end and I missed my chance to see Fujisan? Yes I understand I can see it from the train - but seeing it at 200mph is not the same lol I will do some digging into the loop as you suggested. Do you think I would be better off leaving Kyoto Friday night or Saturday morning?

Just to add that in September you might not be able to see Mt Fuji even from Hakone.

>> leaving Kyoto Friday night or Saturday morning
Depends on what type of lodging you would have on Friday night. If you were to stay at a ryokan in Hakone then you would really need to arrive at 4PM or 6PM at the latest. That type of place actually has check-in hours, and it would be problematic if you were late and missed that window. OTOH, hotels are fine for checking in later, at night.

There are hotels and resorts in Odawara. I see one hotel that is "Odawara eki higashi guchi" which means Odawara station east gate. A hotel that is "ekimae" is in front of the station. I think the resorts have a shuttle to the station.

Odawara is convenient to Hakone and not far from Kamakura. Two nights could get you both if you time it right.

I knew of a shinkansen station where there are views of Fujisan and searched and found:
Shin-Fuji Station - Explore Shizuoka
From where to view Mount Fuji - Mount Fuji Travel
It would mean riding the slower Kodama shinkansen trains, but ok, it just takes longer to get to Kyoto.

I THINK it might be possible to go to Shin-Fuji station for the view as a part of a daytrip from Tokyo to Kamakura. Especially if your interest in Kamakura is that one sight (and maybe the iconic daIbutsu). If it is a nice day, then go there or if not then just go to Kamakura.

Or actually, if it is a nice day then you can just go to that viewpoint in the Fujigoko area that you mentioned. What is your plan for getting to Akakurayema Segan Park?

Oh, the Fuji-Q railway. This is very popular and a bit hectic. You could go further on, to Kawaguchiko Station, to get a bus that stops at a ropeway that goes up to a spectacular view of Fujisan. This kind of day trip c/should be booked in advance, but IME can be last minute just more hectic (especially for getting the return trip to Tokyo/Shinjuku)
Chureito Pagoda - Fuji Five Lakes Travel