I am planning for a family trip (2 adults & 2 kids age 10 and 11) to Japan during March 2009 and would appreciate some advices:

1- Suggestion on 1-2 day side trip between Kyoto – Tokyo route to area with snow (mid March), no need to be ski resort just place with enough snow that kids can stamp on and play toboggan,
2- Suggestion on Bhuddist Temple Ryokan in Kyoto where not too far from JR station,
3- Heard about baggage mailing service, if I want to send a travel suitcase from Tokyo to ryokan in Kyoto, where can I find this service, how long would it take and how much would it cost,
4- Does the JR Pass covers all travel modes in Hakone area?

I would appreciate answers to any of the queries above.