>Oct 23 - Nov 2
>
>Tokyo 5 days, Kyoto 3 days then Osaka to home (must have the
>okonomyaki)
>
>We'll likely do some day trips sprinkled in
>
>My questions on Japan Rail...i know the ticket does not
>include the fastest train
>
>so is it worth it to spend the extra $100 for a trip on that
>train? or is the extra speed negligible?
>
>d

Or just a single ticket? I've never used the Nozomi trains (fastest), but the Hikari trains are plenty fast, and it honestly won't be much different. It's maybe about 20 minutes longer just because the train will make a few more stops in between Tokyo and Kyoto.