Whew! I am exhausted just reading this. You are flying all the way
from New York to Japan to basically ride expensive trains. Then you're
going all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto to ride more trains.
I think you'll be happier if you forget about half your plans and let
yourself be flexible about the other half.
I do have one specific suggestion, though: There are several JR lines
that run from various parts of Tokyo to Utsunomiya. Since you're not
staying near Tokyo station, it will probably be almost as fast,
easier, and way cheaper to take one of them rather than the
shinkansen. I didn't realize this was possible until my return trip,
and then only because I looked at the departures monitor in
Utsunomiya. But a JR ticketing office should be able to help you, if
you can find someone whose English is good.
Bruce |