I will be arriving at NRT on Dec 25 around 9 a.m. and only have 48h in Japan.
I have just spent a week in Tokyo and this time I was thinking about going to Kyoto or Nikko. The only thing is that I need to get back to NRT on Dec 26 in the evening as I have to catch a flight at 11am on Dec 27.

Kyoto:
I know it's a bit mad to see it in such a short time but I could catch a NOZOMI from Tokyo station at 12 and be in Kyoto around 2.30 p.m then leave Kyoto on Dec 27 around 6.15 p.m and be in NRT late on that evening. Which hotel would you recommend for a such a short visit ? Granvia? Hyatt ? Okura? ANA?
Since it gets dark quite early which part of the city would you visit on my arrival day?

Nikko:
Seems like travelling time would be more or less the same whether I use the bus to Utsunomiya or by train via Asakusa. Is Nikko nice in December? would it be really cold ? Any nice hotels ( I like my comfort).

Thanks a lot for your input.