Need help to map out my schedule

Hi,
A 7 day JR Pass would pay off if you leave and return to Tokyo within 7 days. Going to Kinosaki after you see Himeji would be the most efficient for using time. As for cheaper places to stay, the cheapest is the Chou Group in Osaka. But you can also try:

http://www.comfortinn.com/sitemap-japan-JP

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/

http://www.superhoteljapan.com/en/

http://www.route-inn.co.jp/english/

For where to stay in Koyasan, try:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4905.html

Could you advise any cheap hotel in Kyoto?

Thanks.

Hi there,

There are quite a lot of hotels in Kyoto, personally I would have a look at one of the general booking websites and see what other guests think. This way you get the best impression. If you really wish to stay on a budget, consider staying at a hostel as well. Hostelworld is a website I used to use a lot when looking for budget accommodations.

Kinosaki is really nice but it may be hard to find a budget accommodation, still If you can spend then money than it is wonderful to go there for a single nights stay at one of the local ryokan.

Hope his helps,
Daniel

There are several among the links I listed. Toyoko Inn has 4 hotels in Kyoto, Superhotel has 2 (search under the Kinki Region), the JEH has 3, and the Route Inn group has one.
In addition there are some Japanese inns or cheaper hostels which are worth staying in at least for a night just for the experience. You might look at these places:

http://www.kyoto-shimizu.net

http://www.guesthouse-bon.com

http://kyoto.hanahostel.com/

http://ton-bo.boo.jp/index_e.html

Good luck!

http://kyonoen.com/en_index.html

http://www.hotel-toyo.jp

http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~innkawa/page007.html

Excellent. Thanks!

Back to JR Pass, if I stay in Kyoto area for a week, and Tokyo area for 5 days, what's the best deal as for purchasing JR Pass? JR Pass is eligible for bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka only not for the fastest one, correct? And the second fastest takes 4 hours to get to Osaka, correct? Then I will need to take another train from Osaka to Kyoto, right?

Thanks.

The most cost effective way would be to finish all your bullet train travel within the week of using the Pass. You can use the Pass on virtually any JR train except the fastest bullet train (Nozomi). Other bullet trains take about 3 hours between Tokyo and Osaka. If coming from Tokyo, you will stop at Kyoto first, before going on to Osaka, which takes about 2 hrs 40 min. So it's up to you which city you want to see first.

A very important tip. Thank you.

Could you tell me from Haneda Airport, which JR train station I should get to go to Kyoto?

Hi,
If you want to do the whole way using the JR Pass, then use the pass on the monorail from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Stn., then transfer to the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line and go to Tokyo Stn. to catch the bullet train to Kyoto.

A faster way would be paying 410 yen to take the Keikyu Railways to Shinagawa Stn. to catch the bullet train, as shown here:

http://goo.gl/sRCzXY

It's up to you.