Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto

I forgot to mention, we're returning back via Narita Airport on Sun 2 Dec

Hi PC,

Thank you for your order! Here are some answers for you:

1. I think the best time to activate your rail pass will be on the 26th. The 25th will probably be a blur of things so you can use that day to acclimatise :)
2. You can't use the JR Pass on the Metro, but you can use it really well on the extensive JR network in the Tokyo. Here's a map for you for reference. For the Metro, the best discounted tickets you can buy are 1 or 2 day Metro Passes. In general these work out to be really good value if you do more than 2 or 3 metro trips. If you don't think you'll do this many trips, then simply paying as you go in conjunction with your JR PASS will be the best choice. If you do think you'll be doing lots of metro travel. then looking at your schedule, I think I'd purchase either 2 x 1 day, or 1 of each type (depending on how much time you think you'll spend in Tokyo on the 30th). Note these are only available at this price at the airport so be sure to stock up there if you think you'll use this - the ticket office opens at 5am, so you should be ok...
3. As you'll be staying overnight in Hakone, I totally recommend you buy the 2-day Hakone Free Pass on arrival at Odawara as this will cover all your travel up and down from Odawara and also let you take the lake cruise and various ropeways (which are fun!).
4. From Hakone you should return down to Odawara and get the bullet train down to Kyoto. Here's a sample itinerary for you.
5. Looking at your itinerary it looks really good. Make sure you visit Nara as that's a easy trip from Kyoto. If you have time a day trip to Koyasan, Hiroshima/Miyajima and Nikko would be great additions, but you can decide on these when you are there I think.

Hope this helps!