Here’s the revised schedule based on your comments:
March 24th - Kyoto, Day 2 (Eastern Kyoto)
Depart for Kyoto late morning on Hikari (JR) train line for a 2.5 hour ride – lunch on train (Bento box) arrive in Kyoto’s Central station at 1pmish. I’ve read there is no need for Green seats on JL train. 7 day pass and regular seats are fine. With just carry on for luggagge is this accurate? Stay at Hyatt Regency Kyoto – 20K points per night and plan for the one-time taxi ride from Kyoto station in advance. Can anyone comment on how this gets setup?
• Sanjusangendo since it is located very close to the Hyatt Regency
• walk over to Shimbashi in Gion
• Yasaka Shrine
• Dinner at "Mame-cha Kyoto" and then walk Ishibe Koji (Alley)
Transfer to (Southeast region of Kyoto) see this for directions to get there:
http://www.insidekyoto.com/southeast-kyoto
• Take the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station and walk to nearby Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. Climb as far up the mountain as your energy permits.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html
• Return to hotel and relax and freshen up for dinner
• Pontocho street for dinner or Ninja restaurant Kyoto (at central Kyoto, close to Kawaramachi station)
http://www.ninja-kyoto.co.jp/en/ Pontocho's Kawadoko restaurants by Kamogawa river
I don't think I need the JR pass given the little amount I'm using the trains. and, I'm considering staying at Narita on the last night to position for the flight. However, March '16 is Loooong way away and a schedule may allow me to optimize this a bit more. I wish I had my flight into NRT and out of KIX now that I know I want to spend more time in Kyoto than Tokyo.
Does anything stand out above that just does not work?