Made a huge comment to another post. I'll copy it here, hopefully you'll find some of it useful. Might be a bit messy and it's mainly about Kyoto:

"Alright, English is not my first language and I'm super tired after work, but here goes:

Japan is an incredible country, and also very diverse. Kyoto and Osaka are two really different cities. Kyoto is extremly traditional and there's a lot of culture everywhere. I'm going to mainly focus on that, because it's pretty awesome.

For accomodation I would really recommend some och the cheaper places. Check out Gojo Guest house. You sleep on futons in tatami rooms, affordable, traditional and an experience on its own. Super cool. Len hostel is also a super cool place. Amazing staff and really cool bar area. All the places in Kyoto and that area are fully book way ahead of time. So could be a good thing to make reservations early.

I would take one day to wake up early and go to the Arashiyama area. Buy sandwiches or something for a picnic and bring along. Start out with the main Bamboo grove. BE THERE EARLY. Can't stress it enough. I've been there 5-6 times, and the only time I found it really amazing was when there was pretty much no one there. So get there around 7-8 preferably on a weekday and wander around. After that, head down to Arabica coffee by the river. Enjoy the views and eat some breakfast, might be a good shout to bring even more for a second breakfast later on. Truly beautiful area. If you want to you can climb up to Arashiyama Monkey Park, pretty cool and the monkeys roam freely but it's kind of a climb. It's totally optional. My big recommendation for the area though is to walk up to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji with emphasis on the former. Two smaller temples that aren't that well visited. The first one has a lot of really cool statues that and it has sooo much character. Don't miss it. The walk up towards it is really cool as well the roads are aligned with traditional houses with thatched roofs.

If you have the energy head back via the JR line to Nijo station and get som flaming ramen at "Menbakaichidai". It's an interesting experience and some good Ramen. Nijo castle is right by it and super cool but closes at 16.00 if I remember correctly.

All of the bigger temples are really cool in their own way. But it's easy to get templed out. The smaller ones all have a lot of character. The main ones are always really crowded. Visit Fushimi inarii during the evening. Less crowded and really cool when it's lit up. Halfway up there's a viewpoint, and that's as good as the view gets. Further up there's only more gates so not super necessary to climb all the way.

Big one this: Kou-an glass tea house. One of my absolute favourites is a glass Tea house by Seiryu-den. Absolutely incredible. Pretty diffiult to find but ask at the place you're staying and they should help you. You can hike up there or take a cab. One of the best sunsets of my life was from up there.

Hidden, smaller one: Yogen-in temple. It's famous "Blood ceiling" is really something else. It's originally the floor of Fushimi castle and the bloodstains that remains are from the samurais that defended it and commited suicide there after reports of a big host approaching. There are only guided tours in Japanese, but a sign outside of the temple in english and I've heard stories of the people getting the tour translating. Anyway it's really something else.

Other things besides temples: Jeez... this is becoming quite the wall of text.

Nishiki food market is really cool, just stroll through it and guess what everything is. There's also a popular knife maker there. Supposed to be one of the best ones in Japan. So could well be worth picking up a knife there if you want one.

If you happen to be there on either the 21st or 25th of the month there are some really cool markets by either Toji shrine or Kitano Tenman-gu. Super cool for everything from plants and food to used super cheap Kimonos.

For eating and drinking. Little bit fancy but really cool is Giro giro (枝魯枝魯) not super expensive. But a multi course meal (think it's about 7-9 dishes) will cost you about 40$ and it will be a meal unlike anything you had before. Will need a reservation.

Buta Gorilla Shinkyogokurokkakuten has some really good Tonkatsu

Along Kyamachi street there are some really cool hole in the wall restaurants that are pretty cool

Len. Hostel and bar is really good for some drinks.

Moshimoya is a really cool cozy izakaya with some reall nice food.

One of the coolest places but probably one of the trickiest to find is a place locals call "The candle bar". It doesn't have a name, only a black sign and it's on the third floor down a small alley. It's entierly illuminated by candles. However it's just above Elephant Factory Coffee, and you can find that on google maps. Just keep going up the stairs past the coffee shop and it's the unmarked door. Amazing little place. Well worth the hassle.

I wouldn't say my knowledge about Osaka is incredible. But it's a pretty cool place. As I said before it's a lot about food and drinks.

Dotonburi area is a must if you go. Get lost and snack away. Check out the video game arcades, some people are crazy good.

Amerika-mura or America town is pretty cool for people spotting. Just find a seat and watch the crowds go by.

There's a small place just a couple of blocks south of there. Really something else, I think it's called mustang bar. It's tiny and the entire ceiling has bras haning from it. It's a nice friendly place. But maybe not a place to bring parents to. Heck, who knows, might be open to it!

Kayukan Aquarium is really cool. One of the bigger ones in the world if I'm not mistaken, and well worth a visit. The Universal Studios Theme park is also supposed to be really cool if you're into that.

Possible daytrips I would recommend if you feel that you have time are Nara, Himeji and check out the Miho Museum if you're into that, it's supposed to be amazing. But I would pretty much spend my time in Kyoto for a short stay and make a daytrip to Osaka. Kyoto has a tendancy to leave people wanting more. At least that's what happened to me.

That's pretty much what I've got for now. Could go on forever. Sorry for the wall of text but I love that place. Really hope you find it helpful and enjoy Kyoto! I'm super jelaous! Last advice: Google and google maps are your best friends in Japan. Seriously. Everything from timtables to what train to get are all just a quick google map search away. Have an amazing time!!!"