Hi everyone, I am going to Japan in October for 11 days. I will be arriving in Tokyo. Does anyone have any suggestions on travel itineraries? or know of any festivals going on? I would like to see Tokyo and Kyoto for sure. I am not interested in soaking in a hot spring. Also, Any budget hotel recommendations? Where do I find the train schedules? and long distance bus info? Thanks in advance.

I'm going in september and I've been finding all my train/transporation info from google maps and the JR rail website!

The best way to save money on lodgings is to stay in a ryokan. They can be much cheaper than hotels.

What is a Ryokan

R&B Hotel is for business people about 50 cnd a day with continental breakfast. If you like cheaper hostel are great there. If you like the experience capsule in is the way to go.

Traditional japanese inn. You sleep on futons and tatami mats. They are generally cheaper than hotels. I am staying in one in Tokyo in a couple of weeks. We're playing $75 a night. We found it in the lonely planet guide.

Capsule hotels are also great. They even have some women only hotels. They are generally only for single travelers though, so they may not work for every situation.

As well check Jr Rail seasonal pass

By far the best place i have ever eaten - http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g1066456...
TRIPADVISOR.COM
Ichiran, Shibuya

There is an excellent Japanese Tourist Agency downtown, JTO, as well as excellent ones in Japan. The consulate will also be helpful. Toyoko Inns can work well - they serve breakfast and are used by Japanese Businessmen - practical and clean and often centrally located. Be sure to visit museums, galleries and any festivals, where-ever you go. Fashion Museums are also fabulous. There is so much to see and do - talk to the experts.

Hyperdia used to be good for railway timetables

I was there 2 weeks ago. Tokyo for 7 nights, Kyoto for 6 and day trips to Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima. If you plan to travel around a bit, I definitely recommend the JR Rail Pass. You can only buy it before you leave Canada, but if you go to Kyoto and return to Tokyo it's basically paid for! It made us explore more than we would have if we had to pay for single train tickets.

Get JR Rail pass here.
Don't diss the hotsprings - they're what I miss most.

Train is expensive. You might want to check air.

I'm going for 3 days in November on my way to Bali so I'm following the info given here. I am definitely staying in a capsule hotel for at least one night for personal and business reasons. Would like to check out a ryokan too (which one did you stay at Kathleen?). Still trying to figure out the most convenient area to stay in (probably Shinjuku).

Marshall - I haven't stayed there yet, so I'll refrain from endorsing it just yet. It's in Ikebukuro, near the Yamamoto circle line. I'll report when I get back on the 15th of July.

My friend has an air bnb in Tokyo. It's just a private room, but I can confirm that they are fun and not crazy people to stay with https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3329622?s=HDhS
AIRBNB.COM
Jiyugaoka Town Hideaway in Setagaya

Following

Thanks for all your responses! Wow.

http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/

For tips on the alternative, pop culture side of Japan (especially Tokyo), enjoy these posts! http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/category/tokyo-gothic-lolita/
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Tokyo Gothic Lolita | La Blog - Alternative Fashion, Travel, Subcultures

Any tips you get or can make afterwards I would be interested in for March next year

Kaye I think that's really closed to the Sakura Festival might have to pre booked everything in advance

Kaye, if you stay into April, you might get to catch the Kanamara Matsuri Festival.
https://www.fest300.com/festivals/kanamara-matsuri
FEST300.COM
Kanamara Matsuri

Bon ----Japan Rail passes are a good deal if you are going to go Tokyo to Kyoto. IT is around $400 for 14 days and $325 for 7 days. you will get your money worth just from the airport to Tokyo and Tokyo to Kyoto. If you can read a bit of Chinese it is helpful because there are a few words that are the same and there isn't much English.
Several weeks in advance you can order a portable wi-fi for $5 per day and you pick it up at the airport and return it when you are finished. Use yahoo or google maps and it will tell you what trains to take and what time each train arrives.
We just went in March and had the greatest time

The portable wifi was one of the best travel tools I've had on a trip! Highly recommended. We used global advanced communications and they were very easy to deal with.

This was the cheapest and nicest place I could find in Kyoto. It is in the middle of the Gion district with tons to see: Gion Ryokan Q-beh

Also, train schedules in English: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/