The following site can help you work out if a rail pass is going to work for you or not.
However note the new prices from October.
Yes Airbnb is an option although not one I have done. I think some areas are starting to legislate against them.
Yep came in after the olympics because the hotels are basically banding together to get rid of them and keep their prices up.
Hostels are another option, you can get a family room rather than beds in a room. They are decent enough and cheap.
I also think like many places inconsiderate guests are an issue. Suspect more so in Japan with the cultural differences in terms of noise etc.
Most of the Airbnb I have used in Tokyo are complete places just for Airbnb. Effectively cheap hotels without the hotel rules/prices.
Only stayed in one persons house and they were absolutely barking mad, so have avoided this since 
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Currently looking at my own trip early 2024 so if you are able to share details of good Airbnb’s that would be great.
Arrived this morning. We’re here until Thursday. I’m impressed so far. Legoland here has a nice feel.
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Two of my favourites things in Japan - the bullet train and the bento boxes you buy in the stations to take in the train. I wouldn’t dreambof flying even if it was cheaper.
The first time we went we did a similar trip to what you are planning - 2 nights in Tokyo, a night in Nikko, then 3 nights in Kyoto, Himeji for a night (I would suggest you go to the castle here if youare going to Hiroshima). We then stayed a night in a Ryokan in Kurushiki (expensive and we werent blown away by the Ryokan) but Kurushiki is very nice. Then Hiroshima for two nights including a day trip to Miyajima. We were totally unimpressed by Mitajima but loved Hiroshima.
Kyoto is very atmospheric and sophisticated but accommodation is expensive there. Plus islt hets very busy with toursists.
Nara is beautiful. Arashiyama is well worth a visit from Kyoto.
The second time we went we did Osaka and loved it. The food there is superb. We may go again next year and if we do we will do Osaka again.
If you are into museums and fancy visting a building built inside a mountain like a Bond villains lair visit the Miho museum. Both bonkers and superb at the same time.
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Are you guys OK mate?
The news we’re getting here from the Greek islands at least doesn’t look great.
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Hi Guy, yes we’re fine, we’re in Cyprus and although it’s brutally hot (someone measured 48°c in the sun on our beach yesterday, might hit 50° today) there’s no fires serious enough to make the news.
The moon last night was an awesome shade of orange and we all thought how beautiful it was until we sussed why then we were a bit sad.
Thanks for asking 
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I see Guy got lost whilst left to his own devices and ended up on a “VIP” cruise day out of Paphos…
Surprised at the lack of tweed swimming trunks I have to say.
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Is it really fair to leave your goth out in the sun like that?
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Haha, even Ellie laughed at that! 
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Hired a couple of jet skis for FoL#2 Lauren and me tomorrow.
Neither of us has ever ridden one and we’re both hyper competitive against each other. What could go rong?
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They’re a blast, you’ll both love it!
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