Or should I reverse it? Morning kinkakuji, afternoon arashiyama?

*Yea, will be staying in kyoto.

Go to arashiyama as early as possible, best around 8am, only joggers there. Because after 10am, tourists will start flocking into asrashiyama, so you wont be able to take nice pictures. As for Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, I am not sure that it will be as many people as arashiyama in the afternoon.
Yeah, I'm hoping tips are coming back as well 

Anyone know where to buy JR Tokyo wide pass outside Japan? My flight will arrive in Haneda at 10.30pm and I read the sale counter open up from 0745 to 1830 only. I am going to shinjuku that night.

Japan rail pass cannot be bought in Japan. It must be either online or certain agents in Msia such as JTB @ Isetan cust service KLCC

Unlike the national Japan Rail Pass, the JR Tokyo Wide Pass is available for sale in Japan and to all foreign passport holders, no matter the duration of their stay. Therefore, even foreigners living in Japan are eligible for this pass.

This pass can be bought in the JR East travel service centers in Narita and Haneda airports, as well as in Tokyo station and in the View Plaza of Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Mito and Yokohama stations.

Latest update
Somewhere in the middle of the webpage:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
Opsssss big mistake. The forumer is asking for tokyo wide pass & not jr rail pass....paisehhhh...sorry

things that japanese hate ppl(tourist) do

All JR assets carried the logo "JR" in front of the assets. Thus for shinkansen, try to avoid nob JR shinkansen such as Nozomi that using the same track. This train is operated by diff co & not cover by JR rail pass.

i think its easier if go with someone who has been there before instead of experimenting or trial n error

even better if can speak some japanese

why not overnight in Nikko. Eventhough it can be done on a day trip, but Nikko has so much to offer. Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall is a must to go since you are in Nikko already. Consider to get the 2 days pass =http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/twoday.html

I just visited Nikko 2 days ago. I think Rennoji is still worth a visit even if it is under renovation which will continue until 2020. You can see the statues up close which it is mentioned that it's a rare opportunity due to the renovation. You can climb up to see the roof renovation too.

Toshogu was very crowded on the day I went. Lots of locals and school children on field trip. And weather was really nice. Around 14C.

Nagoya got what? have 7 Days there.

No problem.
Please update me if you buy it or probably you can ask them where to buy it outside japan

Hi guys, I'm planning to have a solo trip to Tokyo next year February 10 - February 17. May I know how's the weather in Tokyo on February? Did some Google and I found this Suica card seems to be the most universal card that can be used on train,vending machine,etc. Which place is best to stay which easy access to train ?

Which part of Japan you been currently ? I just completed my solo trip to japan. Great experience at there.

Not many ppl think about going to Kamakura as it quite far from Tokyo city area but there nice for the shrines and beach. Have you try the street food there?

oh good to hear that. Any chances of heavy rain tho? Any comment on Omotesando? I found a fair price of place to stay here in airbnb. The owner provides portable Wifi as well.
Sorry if I break any rules in this thread. First time posting here 
thanks for the input. yeah i googled too and the weather is around that degree. It just the rain that Im worried about because I'm going to spend most of my day taking photos.
Ok got that. Yeah I did googled about the place where i wanted go like shopping, photograph and viewing tokyo skyline. It just the card and train passes im not clear about right now. How many days are you spending there? I'm going for 1 week and right now my plan is to spend the whole week in Tokyo. Is one week enough to travel in Tokyo alone itself? Because if it's more than enough I would like to spend a few days in Yokohama too.
Right now I'm still planning tho. If everything goes well then I'll go on Feb 10 - Feb 17. If not then I'll go than that probably 

Faster train sure cost you more. Because It save your traveling time.

Hi, I would like to confirm I want to go to Osaka station from Kyoto station and I have JR Pass for it.

From hyperdia, I found there are 2 type of train go Osaka station from Kyoto station without transit

1. LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD 32
2. JR Special Rapid Service  for BANSHUAKO

Does that mean my JR Pass only eligible (free) for the 'JR Special Rapid Service  for BANSHUAKO '
If I take "LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD 32", I have to pay for the fees?

Thanks for the confirmation 

I have another question.

I plan to get JR pass and SUICA card for my trip to Jap this coming Nov.

From what I read, SUICA card can also be used to take metro, rail train at Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka? So I dont have to buy ticket at the vending machine right?