Golden Route & Hiroshima · 12 nights
13 days, 12 nights: Tokyo (3N), Hakone (1N), Kyoto (4N), Hiroshima (1N), Osaka (3N) + Nara day trip. Best time to go: Best Mar–May and Oct–Nov.
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Tokyo
- Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
- teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.
Local tip: Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
- Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
- Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.
Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
Day 3: Explore Tokyo
Tokyo
- Tsukiji outer market food walk · 2 h. Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.
- Akihabara electronics & anime district · 2.5 h. Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.
- Imperial Palace East Gardens & Marunouchi · 2 h. Free; closed Mondays and Fridays.
Local tip: Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.
Day 4: Tokyo → Hakone
Hakone · Tokyo to Hakone, Odakyu Romancecar Shinjuku–Hakone-Yumoto ~1.5h
- Hakone loop: ropeway, Owakudani & Lake Ashi cruise · 6 h. The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop and the Odakyu train from Shinjuku. Go clockwise early to beat tour groups; Owakudani can close on gas alerts.
Local tip: The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop and the Odakyu train from Shinjuku. Go clockwise early to beat tour groups; Owakudani can close on gas alerts.
Day 5: Hakone → Kyoto
Kyoto · Hakone to Kyoto, Bus to Odawara + Shinkansen ~2.5–3h
- Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) · 1.5 h. Opens at 9am; it is a short loop, so pair with Ryoan-ji nearby.
Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
Day 6: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Kiyomizu-dera & Sannenzaka lanes · 2.5 h. Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
- Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
- Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
Day 7: Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip
Kyoto
- Nara deer park & Todai-ji day trip · 6 h. Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.
Local tip: Deer bow for crackers but nip and headbutt — keep food out of sight with small kids. Todai-ji opens at 7:30am.
Day 8: Explore Kyoto
Kyoto
- Sagano romantic train (Torokko) · 1.5 h. Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.
- Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.
- Nijo Castle · 1.5 h. Listen for the 'nightingale floors' that squeak by design.
- Tea ceremony experience · 1.5 h. Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.
- Philosopher's Path walk · 1.5 h. Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.
Local tip: Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.
Day 9: Kyoto → Hiroshima
Hiroshima · Kyoto to Hiroshima, Shinkansen ~1h45
- Peace Memorial Park & Museum · 3 h. The museum is graphic in parts — preview before taking young kids. Arrive at opening to avoid school groups.
- Hiroshima okonomiyaki at Okonomimura · 1 h. Layered with noodles and cabbage; many counters will make it without meat, ask for no dashi powder.
Local tip: The museum is graphic in parts — preview before taking young kids. Arrive at opening to avoid school groups.
Day 10: Hiroshima → Osaka
Osaka · Hiroshima to Osaka, Shinkansen Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima ~1.5h
- Dotonbori street food evening · 2.5 h. Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
- Osaka Castle & park · 2 h. The park is a major cherry blossom spot; the tower interior is a modern museum.
Local tip: Takoyaki and okonomiyaki contain octopus/dashi; look for marked vegetarian okonomiyaki shops.
Day 11: Explore Osaka
Osaka
- Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden · 1.5 h. Sunset is the best slot; open-air rooftop deck.
- Kuromon market · 1.5 h. Seafood-heavy and tourist-priced; go before noon.
- Shinsaibashi & Amerikamura shopping · 2 h
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan · 2.5 h. Whale sharks in the central tank; buy timed tickets online on weekends.
Local tip: Sunset is the best slot; open-air rooftop deck.
Day 12: Universal Studios Japan (full day)
Osaka
- Universal Studios Japan (full day) · Full day. Buy dated tickets online. Super Nintendo World needs a timed entry ticket via the app on the day unless you buy an Express Pass; arrive before opening.
Local tip: Buy dated tickets online. Super Nintendo World needs a timed entry ticket via the app on the day unless you buy an Express Pass; arrive before opening.
Day 13: Depart from Osaka
Osaka
- Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine · 1.5 h
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Tokyo (3 nights): Shinjuku. Biggest rail hub: Romancecar to Hakone, buses to Kawaguchiko, late-night dining.
- Hakone (1 night): Hakone-Yumoto riverside ryokan. Onsen ryokan with dinner and breakfast often included — check whether rates are per person or per room.
- Kyoto (4 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.
- Hiroshima (1 night): Peace Park / Hondori. Walk to the Peace Memorial and okonomiyaki counters.
- Osaka (3 nights): Umeda (Osaka Station). Direct trains to Kyoto and Kobe; Shin-Osaka Shinkansen one stop away.