Edited one last time... it looks like I'm going to skip Otaru unless anyone can help me figure out a way to conveniently get there, perhaps at the tail-end of our trip? I also think that we're going to skip Shikoku. Unless someone could offer incentive to keep Fukoka on our itinerary as it is below, that will likely get knocked off too...
Would it be possible to do all that I'd like to in Yamanouchi AND visit Matsumoto for a day, all based out of Yamanouchi with just a single night stay? Apart from the rail pass, are there any other ways of getting between relatively short (under 2 hr) distances? Ie. reasonably priced taxi shuttles, etc? How would I otherwise get around to places/villages outside of where we're situated if only spending a single night?
Here's the most up-to-date itinerary...
Otaru, Hokkaido
• Ginrinsou Ryokan - Takasago Room - (1 Night)
Tokyo, Tokyo
• The Peninsula - Grand Deluxe Room / Deluxe Suite - (4 Nights)
* Visit - Tsukiji Fish Market, Ryōgoku Kokugikan/Sumo Hall, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji-jingū Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Mori Tower Observation Deck & Mori Museum, Ebisu, Lovenet Karaoke Bar, Karaoke-Kan, Trader Vic's, Tiki Tiki Shinjuku, Tokyo Disneyland, Shopping: Tailor Caid, VAN Jacket, J. Press, etc.
Hakone-machi, Kanagawa
• Gora Kadan Ryokan - Kadan Suite with Open-Air Rock Bath - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Hakone Gondola, Pola Museum of Art, Hakone / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu, Hakone-Ginyu Onsen, Yama No Chaya Onsen, Gora Hanaougi Onsen, etc.
Tokyo, Tokyo
• The Peninsula - Grand Deluxe Room / Deluxe Suite - (3 Nights)
* Visit - Tsukiji Fish Market, Ryōgoku Kokugikan/Sumo Hall, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji-jingū Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Mori Tower Observation Deck & Mori Museum, Ebisu, Lovenet Karaoke Bar, Karaoke-Kan, Trader Vic's, Tiki Tiki Shinjuku, Tokyo Disneyland, Shopping: Tailor Caid, VAN Jacket, J. Press, etc.
Yamanouchi-machi, Nagano
• Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku - Japanese Style Room - (1 Night)
* Visit - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen, Shiga Kogen, Takayakushi Wakoan, Otozan Onsenji Temple, etc.
* Nearby Matsumoto - Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto Alpspark, Norikura Kogen, Nakamachi Street
Takayama, Gifu
• Wanosato Ryokan - Tenryo Room - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Higashiyama Walking Tour, Sanmachi Suji, Hida no Sato / Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village, Gassho Shuraku Hida no Sato, Hida Takayama Museum of Art, Takayama Jinya, Shokawa-Zakura, Hida Daishonyudo Cave, Hida Takayama Museum, Shishi-Kaikan / Lion Dance Ceremony Exhibition Hall, etc.
Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken
• The Kayotei Ryokan - Higashiyama Suite - (3 Nights)
* Nearby Kanazawa - Higashichaya Old Town, Nagamachi District, Kazuemachi Tea House Street, Nishi Tea House Street, Kenrokuen Garden, Myoryuji Ninja Temple, Shima Tea House and Garden, Nomura Family Samurai House, Kanazawa Castle, Oyama Shrine, Utasu Shrine, Gyokusen-en, Kanazawa Port Ono Karakuri Museum, Honda Museum, Ishikawa Prefectural Art Museum, D. T. Suzuki Museum, Kanazawa City Ashigaru Museum, Ishikawa Prefecture Noh Theater, Seisonkaku Villa, Daijoji Temple
Kyota, Kyota
• Hyatt Regency Kyoto - Executive King Suite - (3 Nights)
• Hiiragiya Ryokan - Main Building Guest Room - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Gion, Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji/Golden Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji/Silver Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple, Sanjusangendo Mawaricho, Nanzen-ji Temple, Arashiyama and Togetsu-kyo, Katsura Imperial Villa, Shugakuin Imperial Villa, Nijō-jō Castle, Tofukuji Temple, Hosenin, Ryoanji Temple, Eikan-do, Sanzen-in Temple, Hiei-san and Enryaku-ji Temple, Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine, Kodai-ji Temple, Shimogamo Jinja, Gion Kaburenjo Theater, Kennin-ji Temple, Monkey Park Iwatayama, Tō-ji Temple, Philosopher's Walk, Kamigamo Shrine, Ninna-ji Temple, Chion-in Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Jojakko-ji Temple, Gio-ji Temple, Kifune Shrine, Tenryuji Temple, Shisen-do Temple, Daitoku-ji Temple Complex, Saihoji Temple, Okochisanso Garden, Honen-in, etc.
Nara, Nara
• Nara Hotel - Imperial Suite, Main Building - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Toshodai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Yakushi-ji Temple, Isuien Garden, Gango-ji Temple, Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple, Wakakusa Hill, Todaiji Keidaicho, Obitoke Temple, Naramachi Koshino, Nara National Museum, etc.
* Nearby Hikone, Shiga - Hikone Castle
Osaka, Osaka
• Ritz-Carlton - Club Suite - (5 Nights)
* Visit - Dōtombori, Minami/Namba, Shinsaibashi, Shinsekai, Korean Town, Mido-suji, Kuromon Ichiba, Sennichimae Doguya-suji, Castle Park and Osaka-jō, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Kemasakuranomiya Park, Tsūten-kaku, Shitennō-ji, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Hōzen-ji Temple, Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory, Tempozan and Hep Five Ferris Wheels, etc.
* Nearby Himeji, Hyōgo - Himeji Castle - (Under Renovation?)
Matsue, Shimane
• Minami-Kan - Room 4F - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Shinjiko Lake, Matsue Castle, Matsue Vogel Park, Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, Miho Jinja Shrine, Tamatsukuriyu Shrine, Kamosu Shrine, Buke Yashiki, Former Yakumo Koizumi Residence, Meimei-an Tea House, etc.
Miyajima, Hiroshima
• Iwaso Ryokan - Hanare - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Itsukushima Shinto Shrine/Aki-no-Miyajima, Oo Torii, Goju-no Tou, Miyajima Ropeway, Momijidani Park
* Nearby Hiroshima - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park, The Cenotaph & Atomic Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument, Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima Museum of Art, Hijiyama Park, Chuo Koen/Central Park
Chikushino-shi, Fukuoka - ???
• Daimaru Besso - Taisho Room - (1 Night)
Nagasaki, Nagasaki
• Sakamotoya - Japanese Style Guest Room - (2 Nights)
* Visit - Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park & Memorial Hall, Clover Garden and Former Glover Residence, Dejima Wharf, Shinchi Chinatown, Cable Car to Inasa-Yama Lookout, Suwa-jinja Shrine, Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, Kazagashira Park
Aso-gun, Kumamoto
• Takefue Ryokan - Kokyuan - (1/2 Nights)
* Visit - Shirakawa Springs, Nabegataki, Sanga Onsen, Yamamizuki Onsen, Kurosawa Spa Ikoi, Kurokawaso Onsen, Oyado Noshiyu Onsen, etc.[/QUOTE]