I decided that there was too much i wanted to see around the Kansai/ Western Honshu region that I've extended this section of my trip to 13 days. This means I have now allocated or budgeted most of a day to Kurama
Take your time. Japan and the whole of NE Asia is all about small details.
On the topic of mountain hiking - I hear the view at the top of Daimonji-Yama are amazing. Worth going up too? How long does the climb take from Ginkaku-Ji? Ive read conflicting times ranging from 2hr to 15mins and 30mins.
When were you going again? During o-bon in August the mountain temples will light bonfires that can be viewed from the Kyoto valley.
The climbing time up should be more towards two hours. Just remember you have to get back down again.
Also are there any mountains in or near Osaka? Or somewhere i can get a similar type view of Osaka?
Kobe is the way to go. Rokko-San is a cliche but very unique views still. Or then Koya-san that is mentioned in the title of this thread.
Do you also have any recommendation for a good centrally located restaurant for a kaiseki lunch? The main reason I'm looking at a lunch as opposed to dinner is due to budget. (After doing a search on Kaiseki in kyoto i found two threads but they were both 2 years + old.)
If you really want Kaiseki, maybe book a package at the Kurama Onsen. It might require a one night stay and be dinner instead of lunch but it's worth it after a day of hiking and a hot bath. Considerably cheaper than the sometimes not very accessible places at the Kamo river.
Otheriwise, there is much more to Kyoto cuisine than Kaiseki. I personally like the Izakayas, Japanese gastropubs if you will. Please do remember that Kyoto is considered to be too far from the coast to really have quality sushi.