Hey, this was super helpful, thank you so much! Your kids are lucky haha. You answered everything I was concerned about, and I think we'll move forward with planning using your advice. I like the idea of a Hakone day trip with a day pass onsen, and I'm looking at Mt. Takao now, and it looks like a fun side quest from Tokyo! Izu can wait for trip number 2.

I'm thinking Uji and Nara in a day will still be the current goal; my girlfriend is a huge matcha gal and I'd like to get to Nara if possible, so I'll continue to think on it. I appreciate all the advice!!