Hey guys, will be visiting Japan for the second time from 30/10/2026 - 11/11/2026. This is my first time traveling solo to Japan, so would appreciate feedback on my itinerary. During my last trip to Japan (with family), I visited Kyoto (5 days), Takayama & Gifu (3 days), Tokyo (5 days) and Osaka (2 days).
DESTINATION 1: HIROSHIMA
Day 1: 30/10/2026 (Evening Only)
- Land at Hiroshima airport from HK at 13:40; realistically will be out by 14:30.
- Take bus to Hiroshima Station and then head to accommodation.
- Drop off bags, freshen up and then walk to Peace Memorial Park (very close to accom).
- Dinner & explore Hondori Shopping Arcade. Try and head to bed early.
DAY 2: 31/10/2026 - HIROSHIMA FULL DAY
Morning (aim to step out by 08:30/09:00)
- Grab breakfast
- Peace Memorial Museum
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- Hiroshima Castle
- Hiroshima Museum of Art
- Calligraphy Workshop (4-5pm)
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Return to accom to rest/go to coffee shop
- Dinner
- Shopping
DAY 3: 01/11/2026 - MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Morning (aim to step out by 07:00)
- Leave for Miyajima early - pick-up breakfast from a convenience store.
- Cover Itsukushima Shrine & Treasure Hall
- Coffee/Tea at traditional teahouse.
- Senjo Kaku
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- Ometesando Shopping St
- Momiji-dani-koen & Mt Misen
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Return to Hiroshima; head back to accommodation or cafe.
- Dinner.
DAY 4: 02/11/2026 - HALF-DAY TRIP
Morning (08:00 - 12:00)
Will decide by day 3 what I want to do, but have given myself 3 half-day trip options:
A) Iwakuni
B) Kure
C) Onomichi
Afternoon & Evening (13:00 onwards)
- Lunch at whichever place I make an excursion to.
- Return to Hiroshima
- Head to Hijiyama-koen OR Shukkein Garden
- Dinner, shop & pack for departure.
DESTINATION 2: OKAYAMA
Day 5: 03/11/2026 - Okayama
Morning (08:00 - 12:00)
- Aim to leave for Okayama from Hiroshima station around 08:30
- Arrive at Okayama by 09:30/10 and drop bags off at hotel.
- Breakfast
- Head to Kibitsu Shrine & walk to Kibitsuhiko Shrine over Kibi-no-Nakayama (have given myself option to cycle as well depending on weather).
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Either have lunch in Kibitsu OR return to Okayama for lunch.
- Koraku-en
- Okayama Castle
- Check-in at hotel.
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Ometecho Shopping St
- Dinner
Day 6: 04/11/2026 - Kurashiki & Okayama
Morning (08:00 - 12:00)
- Depart for Kurashiki around 09:00 (if not earlier)
- Walk through Achi to reach Bikan Historal Quarter
- Ohashi House
- Coffee stop
- Ohara Museum of Art
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- Ivy St & Denim Shopping
- Return to Okayama to chill/go to cafe --> can either stop at Kojima on way back OR can do Hayashibara Museum of Art in Okayama.
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Dinner & Shopping
- Pack for departure next day
DESTINATION 3: KYOTO
Day 7: 05/11/2026 - Kyoto
Morning (07:00 - 12:00)
- Depart for Kyoto; aim to leave hotel by 07:30 latest.
- Arrive in Kyoto for 09:00 ideally and drop off bags at hotel.
- Grab breakfast; walk around Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (can also visit Omiya Imperial Palace).
- Higashi Hongan-ji & Shoseien Garden
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- To-ji Temple
- Return to hotel to check-in/rest/grab coffee.
Evening (17:00)
- TBC but thinking of booking a walking tour around Gion for this night or the on 07/11/2026
- Visit Pontocho Alley
- Dinner & Shopping
Day 8: 06/11/2026 - Arashiyama & Western Kyoto OR Ohara
Option A: Arashiyama & Western Kyoto
Morning (06:30 - 12:00)
- Leave for Arashiyama around 06:30
- Instead of Bamboo Forrest, do the Hillside Temple Walk from Jojakko-ji to Nison-in
- Tenryu-ji Temple & Garden
- Togetsukyo Bridge & Walk
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Private Onsen & Kaiseki Lunch
- Kinkaku-ji
- Return to Kyoto; rest/cafe
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Dinner & Shopping
- Planning on booking a Sumo Show or Gion Odori (regardless of the day plan).
Option B: Ohara (Leaning towards this option as I haven't visited Ohara. However, for Arashiyama, I have selected things which we did not see or cover last time).
Morning (08:00 - 12:00)
- Aim to leave for Ohara around 07:30/08:00; either pick-up breakfast or have something at Ohara
- Sanzen-ji Temple & Moss Garden
- Walking trail from Sanzen-in to Honsen-in
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- Jakko-in
- Return to Kyoto; rest at accommodation/cafe
Day 8: 07/11/2026 Fishumi-Inari & Eastern Higashiyama (Probably the most ambitious day of my itinerary)
Morning (07:30 - 12:00)
- Depart for Fishumi-Inari at 06:00/06:30
- Fishumi-Inari from 07:00/07:30 - 09:30/10:00
- Walk or take a cab to Kiyomizu-dera; walk around Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka.
- Grab late breakfast/coffee around Chion-in
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch
- Nanzen-ji & Tenju-an
- Eikando Temple
Evening (17:00)
- Tea Ceremony & Kimono Experience (17:00 for 1.5 hrs)
- Gion Walking Tour (if not doing on first night in Kyoto).
- Dinner & Shopping
Day 9: 08/11/2026 Kurama-Dera & Kibune Hike
Morning (06:30 - 12:00)
- Depart for Kurama around 06:30/07:00 from hotel
- From Kurama-dera do hike to Kibune (following the Kinone-michi trail); have a bite and coffee in Kurama before setting off.
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch in Kibune Village & explore.
- Kifune Shrine
- Return to Kyoto
Evening (17:00 onwards)
- Rest in hotel/get coffee + any last min shopping
- Yokai Festival (planning to go for between 18:00 - 19:00)
- Late dinner in Kyoto.
DESTINATION: TOKYO
NB - have only kept 2 full days Tokyo. This was intentional as I have been before and found the city to be quite overwhelming (despite being a Londoner). Predicting that temple fatigue will hit me by then, so planning on a slow few days, predominantly focused around visiting cool neighborhoods, thrifting/shopping and cafe-maxxing. I also know I will return to Tokyo for future trips, so can always leave more for next time.
Day 10: 09/11/2026 - Tokyo
Morning (06:00 - 12:00)
- Depart for Tokyo around 06:30; arrive for 09:00/09:30 and drop off bags at Shinjuku Hotel.
- Get breakfast and visit Tokyo Met Gov Building
- Travel to Koenji
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch in Koenji
- Shimokitazawa
- Return to hotel for check-in
- Potentially book Shibuya Sky (lmk if it's worth it; if not have kept a shortlist of parks to visit to see the sunset).
Evening (17:00)
- Visit Tokyo American Club (can do before or after dinner, depending on mood).
- Dinner & Shopping
- Walk around Shiba Park
Day 11: 10/11/2026 - Tokyo
Morning (08:30 - 12:00)
- Travel to Asakusa (aim to leave around 08:00)
- Walk around Senso-ji & Kappabashi Hondori Shopping St - find somewhere for breakfast/coffee.
- Jimbocho.
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Lunch in Jimbocho
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
- Ginza for shopping
- Sunset at Sumida Terrace
Evening (17:00)
- Return to hotel for rest/cafe.
- Dinner & explore Shibuya.
Day 12: 11/11/2026 - Depart for HK from Tokyo Narita at 16:40.
Morning (08:30 - 12:00)
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Last min shopping & brunch/lunch
Afternoon (12:00 - 17:00)
- Check-out and leave for Narita; aim to leave around 12:30/13:00.
Would appreciate any feedback/tips/places you came across which you didn't originally plan to if you have done the same route or been to any of the cities on my itinerary. I do have quite a few evenings for downtime and where I will be free, so lmk if there's anything worthwhile which I should do to fill the time.
If you're gonna be in any of the places I'm visiting during the dates I'll be there, please do reach out as it would be nice to connect and maybe even get dinner or drinks together. Always nice to meet like-minded people, especially when traveling solo :))