Just wanted to thank everyone for the replies... I ended up going from PIT-DTW-KIX, overnighting at the airport, then the next day (Sunday) flying KIX-Matsuyama, where my contact met us with a rental car to take us to Yawatahama and Ikata.
Unfortunately, we did not have any time to do much sightseeing, but maybe if I can go back in the fall!