In (abcd) writes:

Thanks very much everyone for your answers.

I'm flying into Narita because that's what I was instructed to do.
Erroneously apparently... Anyway the flight is confirmed and payed for
by now so there's not much I can do. My working days in Kyoto will be
full-time, so I'll have no time for anything else. But I'll spend some
additional days there after the meetings.

Narita express is 75 minutes to downtown, Skyliner is a bit slower but
cheaper, best choice probably depends on where you're staying in Tokyo.

Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto is less than 3 hours, and a good chance to
see Fujisan to the north about 40? minutes out of Tokyo. I still remember
looking up from my book and ... Wow! Himeji castle and Miyajima temple
(on an island near Hiroshima) are must sees, you could do both in a day
from Kyoto if you get up early. Advertise for a pretty Japanese from
Osaka or Kyoto to be your tour guide (seriously!)

I bought a couple of guidebooks in the meantime which, along with your
comments, should get me going. I've got just another issue, and it's a
recurrent one: I have to buy a digital camera... I searched the Web
and these NGs but I wasn't able to find any recent postings/articles
about the subject. My preference (after some research) lies with the
Nikon Coolpix 5200 or something similar. Does anyone have a clue as to
whether it's cheaper in Japan or in Europe? Of course also considering
warranty, assistance, etc.

Digicams in Akihabara are probably cheaper than Europe, especially if you
shop around and haggle. Make sure you get one that has English menus,
and TV out that matches your TV system. Some shops specialize in
international rather than domestic models. There's lots of webpages to
browse, start with a serach for Akihabara+digicam etc. Here's the model
I think you want at Yodobashi (huge camera store) for Y40,300, you can
probably do better than that.

http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/22576688.html

Thanks very much again,
andy

Have a fantastic time,
David