Trip check august (Obon week)

Hi everyone!

My group of 4 friends is planning a trip to Japan this August (2026) and we need some final advice on our itinerary and hotel bookings.

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Important note: We will NOT be renting a car at all. We are relying 100% on public transportation.

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Given that we will be traveling right during Obon week, we are a bit stressed about logistics, crowds, and the summer heat.

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Here is our general itinerary:

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Aug 7 (Late PM) - Aug 11: Tokyo (with day trips to Kamakura & Yokohama).

Aug 12 - Aug 13 (1 Night): Hakone.

Aug 13 - Aug 19: Kyoto (acting as a hub for day trips to Nara, Osaka, and Kobe).

Aug 20 (Morning): Flight back home from Osaka (KIX).

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Hakone Hotel Choice (1 Night: Aug 12-13)

We are arriving from Tokyo by train and heading to Kyoto the next day. We want a great Onsen experience but need good logistics since we'll have just one bag with us because we will send our luggages directly to kyoto.

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Which one of these should we keep?

Hakone Yutowa

Hakone Kowakudani Onsen Mizunooto

Mount View Hakone

Hakone Yunohana Prince Hotel

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Question about Hakone: Since we are staying for about 1.5 days, does it make sense for a group of 4 to buy the 2-day Hakone Free Pass? Or is it better to just pay as we go for buses/ropeway?

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Kyoto Hotel Selection (6 Nights: Aug 13-19)

Since we are using Kyoto as a base for Nara, Osaka, and Kobe, being close to efficient train lines is our #1 priority to avoid wasting time in the August heat.

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Which of these makes the most sense for 4 people?

Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi

Agora Kyoto Karasuma

Matsubaya Ryokan

Hotel Legasta Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjo

THE MACHIYA EBISUYA

Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

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We will be traveling from Hakone to Kyoto on Aug 13, right at the start of Obon. How badly do we need to rush Shinkansen and Romancecar reservations for a group of 4?

The Heat: We plan to do Kamakura in the morning and Yokohama at night to beat the heat. For Kyoto, we'll hit Fushimi Inari/Arashiyama at dawn.

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Any other tips for surviving August?

Aug 16 in Kyoto: We realized we will be there for the Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji) fires! Where is the best spot to watch it without fighting insane crowds?

Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at these hotels or traveled during Obon. Thanks in advance!