[dkuntz]

Thanks. A couple of follow-up questions then. As far as the trains go, as far as you know are any of the places I've listed an intent to visit not reachable by JR trains?

Are ryokans not really accessible due to the lack of Japanese I possess?

Are any of the locations I intend to visit in remote areas where a lack of Japanese again will be a bigger issue?

Is a 12 day visit that includes all of those locations too short of a visit to properly, and I know that properly depends on how much you want to do at each location, see the major sites at each?

Are there any other cities that I didn't list that would be easy to travel to that you would recommend visiting if architecture and history are my main interests?

Thanks.