16 nights in Kansai & Chugoku

Hi All! Would appreciate some feedback / improvements on my itinerary below. This was a repost as the previous one got removed and I’ve reworked on it. Also have some questions for some days.

I’ve been to Japan 4 times (both solo and with friends). This time i’ll be travelling solo from Mid-May to Early-June covering Kansai & Chugoku area . I’ve been to Osaka before and have covered the usual places (USJ, Castle, Aquarium, Market, Dotonbori/Shinsaibashi area)

Day 1 Uno (Day 1 of 5 Hiroshima Kansai Pass)
– Land in KIX @ 6am
– Forward luggage to Okayama (TaQBin can store luggage for up to 7 days)
– Take Kobe Bay Shuttle ferry to Kobe Airport (500 yen for foreginers)
– Redeem JR passes at Sannomiya Sta. Can redeem at KIX Airport if the queue is not long.
– Lunch (Kobe beef)
– Explore Kitano Ijinkan-gai
– Nunobiki Herb Garden + Ropeway
– Travel to Uno
– Stay @ Uno for next day trip to Naoshima

Q: Is this too ambitious for the first day? No jet-lag as its only 1 hr time difference.

Day 2 Naoshima to Hiroshima (Day 2 of 5 pass)
– 9.22am Ferry to Naoshima
-Benesse House Museum
– Chichu Art Museum
– Art House Project
– Explore Naoshima. 4.35pm Ferry
– Depart to Hiroshima
– Stay @ Hiroshima

Day 3 Hiroshima (Day 3 of 5 pass)
– Day trip to Miyajima
– Itsukushima Jinja
– Omotesando Arcade
– Momijidani Park & Ropeway
– Mt Misen Observatory
– Explore Miyajima
– Ferry back @ 6.10pm

Day 4 Hiroshima to Okayama(Day 4 of 5 pass)
– Morning: Peace Museum / Dome
– walk around exterior of Hiroshima Castle / Gokoku Shrine
– Lunch in Hiroshima
– Train to Okayama
– Explore Okayama Korakuen / Castle in the afternoon till evening (if time permits)
– Stay @ Okayama

Day 5 Okayama(Day 5 of 5 Hiroshima Kansai Pass)
– Cover Okayama Korakuen (Opens 7.30am) in the morning if do not have time the previous day
– Proceed to Onomichi late morning
– Lunch at Onomichi
– Senkoji Temple + Ropeway & Observatory
– Onomichi temple walking path
– Dinner at Onomichi (Onomichi Ramen)
– Stay @ Okayama

Day 6 Okayama (Day 1 of 5 Kansai Wide Area Pass)
– 8am to Takamatsu
– Explore Ritsurin Garden + Udon lunch
– Go to Kurashiki after lunch. Explore Kurashiki Bikan Hitorical Centre till evening
– Stay @ Okayama

Day 7 Okayama to Himeji to Tottori (Day 2 of 5 Pass)
– Forward luggage to Kyoto
– 8am to Himeji. Explore Himeji Castle
– Lunch @ Himeji
– Explore Kokoen Garden
– Take 6.07pm Super Hakuto to Tottori
– Stay @ Tottori Station

Q: What else to do in Himeji in late afternoon before the train to Tottori?

Q: Does Himeji station sells Hipparidako Meshi ekiben?

Day 8 Tottori (Day 3 of 5 pass)
– 8.05am to Yura Station
– Explore Conan Town & Lunch
– Explore Kurayoshi
– Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses
– Pear Museum
– Back to Tottori Station in the evening.
– Stay @ Tottori

Day 9 Tottori to Kinosaki Onsen (Day 4 of 5)
– Tottori Taxi 4000 yen (3 hours) – Tottori Sand Dune + Museum & Uradome Coast
– 12.56pm Hamakaze train to Kinosaki Onsen arrive 2.11pm. OR 1.33pm San in Line train arrive 3.28pm
– Explore Kinosaki + visit few Onsens
– Stay @ Kinosaki Onsen

Day 10 Kinosaki Onsen to Amanohashidate to Kyoto (Day 5 of 5 Kansai Wide Area Pass)
– Visit 1 onsen in the morning
– 10.33 train to Amanohashidate. Arrive at 11.54am
– View land + Sandbar + Asari-don lunch
– Chion-ji temple
– 6.09pm Hashidate train to Kyoto
– Stay @ Kyoto

Day 11 to 14 Kyoto (Flexible depending on weather. Only listing the must visit. Will explore other Shrine / temple nearby if time permits)
– 1 day to Explore Central & Downtown Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Pokemon Centre Kyoto, Gion, Pontocho Alley)
– 1 day to Eastern Kyoto (Kiyomizu Dera, Sanenzaka & Ninnenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Heian Jingu, Ginkaku-ji, Philosophers path)
– 1 day to Western Kyoto (Arashiyama, Sagano sightseeing train, Gio-ji, Kinkaku-ji)
– 1 day to Southern + remaining Eastern Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Tofuku-ji)

Q: Do I have enough time to slot in Hozugawa River Cruise on the Western Kyoto day?

Day 15 Kyoto to Uji to Nara
– Forward luggage to Osaka
– Go to Uji
– Byodoin + Phoenix Hall
– Byodoin Omotesando
– Lunch & matcha @ Fukujuen Uji / Tsuen tea House / any tea house nearby
– Depart to Nara
– Kofuku-ji
– Nakatanidou Stand for Mochi
– Harushika Sake Brewery
– Dinner @ Nara
– Stay @ Nara

Day 16 Nara to Osaka
– Explore Nara Park & Todaiji
– Lunch @ Nara
– Depart for Osaka
– Explore Dotonbori & Denden town
– Stay @ Osaka (Namba)

Q: Since I’ve explored Osaka before, should I go direct from Nara to Rinku Town and stay at the hotels providing free shuttle to airport? Or should I stay in Namba area for food + last min shopping?

Day 17 Osaka to KIX
– 9am+ flight

Thanks in advance!

by lekyl3

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