Hello everyone!
My husband and I are visiting Japan for the first time this fall (27 Oct – 15 Nov). We've done some research but still aren't sure of our final itinerary. The main cities we would like to visit are Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Tokyo (6 Days)
Day 1: Arrival

• Arrive in HND mid afternoon
• Get to the hotel
• Have some dinner / explore if we feel up to it

Day 2:

• Ueno park
• Tokyo national Museum
• Nezu Shrine
• Bunkyo Civic Center for the observation deck

Day 3: Day trip / Overnight stay in Nikko
We'll probably be past peak foliage season – are the crowds still large? Could it be worth staying overnight to explore in the early morning?

Day 4: 

• Sensoji temple
• Shinjuku

Day 5: Day trip to Mount Mitake

Day 6: 

• Meiji shrine
• Shibuya

Kanazawa (2 DAYS)
Day 7: Travel to Kanazawa

• Ninja temple
• Nagamachi district

Day 8:

• Omicho Market
• Oyama Shrine
• Gyokuseninmaru Garden
• Kanazawa Castle
• Kenrokuen Garden
• Seisonkaku Villa

Kyoto (5 DAYS)

Day 9:
This will be Culture day, so we're expecting to see a lot of people in Kyoto… We're thinking of going to Uji for the day instead.

Day 10:

• Nanzenji
• Heian Shrine
• Kodaiji Temple
• Kiyomizudera

Day 11

• Hoping to get a slot to either Hakuryū-en Garden or Saihō-ji
• Kinkakuji
• Shugakuin Villa

Day 12: Day trip to Nara

Day 13: (half or full) Day trip to Kurama

• Kurama-dera
• Kurama Onsen (if re-opened by then)
• Tea ceremony in Kyoto if no onsen

Undecided (2 DAYS):

This is where we need advice! We can't decide between these options, what do you think is the most interesting for first time travelers? Any other idea is welcome

Option 1:
Kinosaki Onsen & Himeji

Option 2:
Yamaguchi / Akiyoshidai Plateau

Option 3: Shikoku
Takamatsu & Matsuyama

Option 4: Katsuura (Might be a stretch…)
For this one, we'll need to sacrifice a 2 days either in Tokyo or Kyoto, and take long train rides. We're unsure it will be worth it, but the place does look incredible in pictures.

Half day & hotel in Osaka > Take the train to Katsura (4h), stay for 2 nights > Train to Osaka in the morning

Hiroshima (2 DAYS)

Day 16:

• Peace Memorial
• Hiroshima Castle
• Shukkeien Garden

Day 17:

Day Trip to Miyajima 

Tokyo (2 DAYS)

Day 18:

• Train from Hiroshima
• Last minute shopping

Day 19: Day trip to Kamakura?

Day 20: Departure
Morning flight from HND

We would also like to have a ryokan experience for one night, ideally not more than 200$ per person – do you have a recommendation where this would fit best in our trip?