Kyoto, Hiroshima & Osaka · 7 nights

8 days, 7 nights: Kyoto (3N), Hiroshima (2N), Osaka (2N) + Nara day trip. Best time to go: Best Mar–May and Oct–Nov.

Day 1: Arrive in Kyoto

Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera & Sannenzaka lanes · 2.5 h. Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.

Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.

Kyoto

Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.
Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.

Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

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.

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.

Hiroshima

Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine floating torii · 5 h. Check tide tables: the torii 'floats' at high tide and you can walk to it at low tide. A small visitor tax is charged on the ferry.

Local tip: Check tide tables: the torii 'floats' at high tide and you can walk to it at low tide. A small visitor tax is charged on the ferry.

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.

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.

Osaka

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Kyoto (3 nights): Kyoto Station area. Larger rooms for families with luggage; easy day trips to Nara and Osaka.
Hiroshima (2 nights): Peace Park / Hondori. Walk to the Peace Memorial and okonomiyaki counters.
Osaka (2 nights): Umeda (Osaka Station). Direct trains to Kyoto and Kobe; Shin-Osaka Shinkansen one stop away.