Itinerary for Japan

We did 8 days prior to a cruise from Tokyo to Hong Kong, stopping in 5 Japanese ports in 2015 and di most of the places you mentioned in your proposed itinerary.

We took a local Japanese company's tours going to Nikko (lived that one) as well as Kamakura and sites in Tokyo. Also, we took a multiday tour of Kyoto and Nara that included the high speed train (forgot the name). We did an afternoon in Nara and three days in Kyoto. Our Kyoto tour included two days of sites in that city with another day on our own. We loved Kyoto. Recommend taking tours, since the sites are not real close to each other, except the Philosopher's Walk, which we did on our free day, having to take a taxi each way, which cost a bit.

We did Himeji Castle, Osaka Castle and Nagasaki on the cruise as well as a few other sites.

First, I would go north to Nikko on a day trip, do Tokyo and other day trips before moving south.

I would sugges Miyajima as a day trip from Hiroshima. Very easily done.

The other thing that is very important, if this is your first trip to Japan, is to learn the unwritten etiquette rules:

Japan--Tips and Customs for a Successful Stay

You may also want to read up on the Konbibi--Japanese convenience stores. They are everywhere and nothing like the ones we have in the US. (Even if the names sound familiar).

Another big thing to realize--there is no tipping. None. Zero. Nada. It may be considered an insult. Don't do it.

We are planning a similar trip in late October, though we're doing it in a slightly reversed fashion and we're staying for 28 days, so adding in few more places where we'll stay for a few nights (Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Okayama/Kurashiki and are extending our stay in Tokyo to 5 nights and Kyoto to 7 nights (will do a couple of day trips from there).
We're flying into Tokyo (Haneda) and home from Osaka (KIX), so we'll end our trip with the stay in Kyoto and the last night will be at an airport hotel at KIX. So the route will be: Tokyo-Matsumoto-Yamanouchi-Takayama-Kanazawa-Hiroshima-Miyajima-Kurashiki-Kyoto. Plans right now are to rent a car when we leave Matsumoto and return it when we get to Kanazawa.
Happy planning!!

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations on whether my family should spend the last 2 nights of our 2 week Japan trip at Lake Yamanaka or Izu? We will not have a car and plan on taking the train to Narita on our last day.

I strongly suggest you do not travel until late Oct, at the earliest. Foliage season in Japan is awesome and you don't want to get there before the leaves turn color. Also, do note that the season starts on different dates according to altitude and latitude. For example, Nikko and Takayama/Nagano will have foliage earlier than the other cities.

After listening and more planning, and booked flights on October 30th for 20 days this is my tentative itinerary - Tokyo(5 nights, Hakone (2 nights), Hiroshima (2 nights), Miyajima (1 night), a stop at Himeji Castle en route to Kyoto (4 nights) with a day trip to Nara, Kanazawa (2 nights), a day trip to Shinokowago Village en route to Takayama (2 days), Matsumoto Castle en route to Nagano (2 night), then onto the airport. I appreciate any help and suggestions offered. The trip from Kanazawa onward was and is the most confusing to me. Any suggestions on how best to arrange this would be most appreciated; also, would this be the best direction to go, or should it be reversed, e.g. Tokyo to Nagano and ending in Hakone? I am still working on the economics of the rail plan.

I want to chime in on a few Apps or cards that will make your trip much easier

Japan Rail App- This is a terrific app and will really help with subway and train connections. Put in your start, finish, and it gives several possible routings, times and costs.

Sucia Card- (one of the IC cards in Japan) I put it on my phone in the wallet. I pre-purchased this card and loaded it with 5000 yen before I left for Japan. It works great for transportation, groceries, 7-11's (where good snacks, supplies and ATMS are found). Most service areas along the freeways also take them as well as many other stores. Easy to reload with as much or little yen as you like. One advantage. When you load money onto it using your credit card, it comes through as a merchandise purchase. You are getting the equivalent of "cash" without paying any cash advance fees.

Google translate: the camera feature is particularly helpful in scanning Japanese text and immediately having it transformed to English. I used it a lot in shopping and also reading signage in museums.

I booked our flights beginning on October 31, and I am still working on my itinerary and trying to work out the weather and fall foliage logistics. Tokyo for 7 nights (3-day trips), Nagano for 2 nights, Takayama for 2 nights, Kanazawa for 2 nights, and 5 nights in Kyoto, ending with 2 nights in Hiroshima, where we would fly to Haneda airport. My other option is to start in Nagano and end in Tokyo after training from Hiroshima. Your thoughts on whether to begin or end in Tokyo would be appreciated, as well as any other suggestions. Also, for 7 days in Tokyo, would you suggest Hakone be a daytrip or overnight?

If you want to "chase" foliage, then visit colder places first. Foliage season starts much earlier on higher altitudes. In Tokyo and Kyoto, foliage peaks in late November.

If you want to visit the Japanese Alps, don't miss Kamikochi. It's scenic but the park closes in mid November.

One more app: Timeshifter. Your first round trip is free, first two if you have a United Air account. It bosses you around, but if you follow the instructions about when to go to bed and when to wake up, when to drink coffee, when to wear sunglasses you'll find it pretty effective. At least it has been for me over four trips to Europe. Here are some experiences using it: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/jet-lag-i-tried-the-timeshifter-app

Japan’s culture is very different than any other country. I’d recommend learning the etiquette of Japan before you just show up! Tons of YouTube vids to watch out there.
These guys (https://youtu.be/0soNoTlf8w8?feature=shared) have lived in Japan and have tons of helpful videos about Japanese etiquette. I watched most, if not all, of their videos before my trip.