Premium economy seats recline within their shell so you don't have to worry about the person in front and behind you.
The seat is 19 inches wide and has a pitch of 41.25 inches.
The food/drinks table is significantly bigger than economy.
You also get access to the business class lounge before your flight and all the other perks like priority boarding and priority luggage.
For me, JAL has one of the best premium economy cabin in the market these days.

For a few hundred extra, I would definitely go for it.
Enjoy

Look at your itinerary and do the Math.
If you're consistently travelling to different areas in a day then it could pay off.
If you're just spending time at say Shinjuku/Shibuya for the day then the IC card is enough.

Don't think swimwear is allowed so scrape that idea.
Normally they provide you with a small towel that you put on your head during onsen so she may be able to use that for something else...

Otherwise, it's a matter of getting used to it being naked.
Nobody will really look at you since the Japs are so used to it already.

I'm doing a Kansai trip this November and will be staying in Kyoto for 5 nights to hit the temples/shrines before moving to Osaka for another 5 nights to do mainly side trips to Nara/Kobe/Himeji etc.
One thing to consider is that Osaka accommodation seems to be generally cheaper than Kyoto, especially during autumn.

When are you going?
Kyoto prices during autumn are quite outrageous, I only managed to find a hotel in a decent location for $196 per night (including brekkie).

If you don't mind travelling a bit or are just visiting Kyoto for a couple of days, staying in Osaka would be a better option budget wise.

Yeah if 4 people, better use an Airbnb to save costs. Make sure to get a legal one!

I'm guessing it's one of those guesthouses? Less than RM200 per night is pretty darn good.

How about spending your first night in Osaka (since you arrive late), then move to Kyoto the next day for a few days before ending off your last 2 or 3 nights in Osaka for your shopping?
Yeah a bit of a hassle changing hotels 3 times, but you can always use the luggage forwarding service if lazy to bring your luggage around.

Self-drive? If so I recommend to stay a night at Yunishigawa Onsen then visit Nasushiobara the next day.

From what I gather, most of those passes do not pay off as well unless you go for further day trips like Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji, Koyasan etc. If just within Osaka, Kyoto & Nara, the ICOCA should be enough.

I think there are a few in Japan but the one I used was TA-Q-BIN, the symbol is like a little black cat.
Normally it takes one day to deliver for standard distances like between Tokyo & Osaka (2 days for Okinawa/Hokkaido).

For your case, I think you can use them to forward your luggage to your next destination on the day you leave for your cycling course and it will arrive on day 2.
Makes sense since you only need to travel light on day 1.
I think you can also request them to delay the next day delivery if you prefer them to collect your luggage the day before your cycling course so that it arrives on day 2 and not day 1.

Your hotels/Airbnb host should be able to arrange this for you, they have a form that you can fill (in Japanese) but they may have English forms now not sure.
A standard luggage should cost around 2,000 Yen.

All in all, it's a very safe and convenient to use them so that you can travel without lugging your luggages around

Can I please know what passes you find are worth it over the ICOCA?
Thanks.

Ok after a bit of researching and planning, I've come up with my "attack plan" for this November's trip (yay autumn again)
Appreciate any comments and feedback and of course suggestions for improvement.

Day 01: Arrive into Osaka (17th Nov) around 12pm from Okinawa. Purchase a HARUKA/ICOCA package and head off to Kyoto. Hotel for the next 5 nights will be Sotetsu Fresa Shijo-Karasuma. Any suggestions on what to do after checking in for the rest of the day/night? Was thinking of taking a leisurely stroll around Southern Higashiyama.

Day 02: Ginkakuji - Honen-in - Philosopher's Path - Yojiya Cafe - Shinnyodo - Eikando - Nanzenji then free & easy for the rest of the day, maybe some shopping at night?

Day 03: Fushimi Inari - Tofukuji - Sanjusangendo - Kiyomizudera - Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka/Ishibei Koji - Kodaiji then free & easy for the rest of the day

Day 04: Visit the Arashiyama bamboo grove early morning then the plan is to do the route between Otagi Nebutsuji and Tenryuji, stopping at the various temples in between. Not sure which route to take yet, can do either directions. Finish off a long day at Fufu no yu before going back to hotel.

Day 05: Kinkakuji - Ryoanji - Ninnaji - Kitano Tenmangu - Nijo Castle then free & easy for the rest of the day

Day 06: Check out from hotel then visit Nishiki Market before heading off to Osaka around noon. Rest of the day free & easy at Osaka. Hotel for the next 5 nights will be The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi

Day 07: Full day at Osaka for shopping, eating and the castle maybe

Day 08: Day trip to Himeji Castle & the garden then stop by Kobe on the way back to Osaka, using Kansai Area Pass for this one I believe

Day 09: Day trip to Nara

Day 10: Day trip to Minoo Park

Day 11: Leave for Tokyo

Day 12: Free & easy in Tokyo

Day 13: Leave for KL

Might need to use a bus on some days/routes, will they be super packed on weekdays in the morning?
Any good temples/shrines for autumn illuminations? Not too fussed if there are none as we have seen some in Nikkko.
Any good onsens in Osaka worth checking out?

This post has been edited by Monya Meow Meow: Apr 6 2019, 07:42 AM

Don't think it's that tiring to be honest, should be nice just strolling along the path and popping into any temple or shrine that looks nice with autumn leaves. We are used to walking and hiking a lot so shouldn't be a big deal.

Looks like most of the night illuminations will be packed, I might give them a miss if that's the case.

Kibune is interesting, thanks for pointing that out. Not sure how to fit that into my itinerary though haha!

Japs are crazy over the illuminations for some reason, once you've seen a few they all look pretty much the same I reckon.
Yeah was planning on Jojakkoji already

Now you know my pain regarding accomodation in Kyoto
I paid AUD$900 for a 5 night stay for me and my wife this coming November (at least breakfast was included)

Sunday looks a bit packed with Fushimi, Uji & Nara in a single day. I think Nara itself deserves a day on its own.

Is Spa World artificial as well? If so, any natural hot springs in Osaka?

Don't think I'll have time for a trip to Arima though 😥

Yes much more expensive, not that I recommend people to choose hotel over Airbnb but just an indication on the insane prices in Kyoto.
On the same train line true but just seems a bit tight to me that's all.

How long did you spend at Fushimi and how early is early? 7am considered early?
Only advantage of Airbnb is the much bigger space over hotels I reckon.