But you'll see more by rail, it's more relaxing, and it takes you from city center to city center.

Consider returning from Kyoto to Tokyo by the "back way."

At Nagoya, get off the Shinkansen and take the trains that are headed for Nakatsugawa and Matsumoto (the Chuo line). You may have to change at Shiojiri, but in any case, take the train that is headed for Tokyo's Shinjuku Station. Trains are frequent, and with a pass, you can just hop on and off and take whichever unreserved (jiyuu-seki "jee-you-secky") seats are available.

Send your baggage by courier (takkyuubin "tahk-q-bin") for extra freedom.

You get rural mountain scenery, most likely the sight of the snow-covered Japan Alps, and then you emerge from a tunnel into Hachioji, which is the western edge of the Tokyo megalopolis and leads to a solid hour of densely packed suburbs.

Given the frequency and reliability of Japanese trains, this trip is easily doable in a day.