Hello! Looking for feedback on my upcoming trip to Japan. This will be my second trip to Japan. Last went in October of 2019. Last time only went to Tokyo / Kyoto / Osaka, and I'm looking to branch out further. Likely getting 14-day JR pass.

Looking for a logic check for these days to make sure nothing is too crammed, and maybe looking for help with some sequencing of days and activities. Would love to squeeze a concert / musical event or two somewhere in evenings on some of these days, but struggling to find good options. Also would like to stay at a Ryokan for a night or two. Wondering if Hiroshima or Kumamoto is the place to do it.

Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo (Monday, October 14)

• Flight Arrives about 3:00 PM @ Narita Airport
• Freeform evening – dinner and hotel check-in, nothing planned

For the initial stay in Tokyo, still debating between staying in Shinjuku (did so last time, hotel was right next to Shinjuku station worked pretty well) or staying near Marunouchi

Day 2 – Tokyo Day 2 (Tuesday, October 15)

• Harujuku / Shibuya
  • Takeshita Street
  • Meiji Jingu
  • Shibuya Parco
• teamLab Borderless

Day 3 – Tokyo Day 3 (Wednesday, October 16)

• Akihabara
  • Square Enix Cafe
  • Miscellaneous Hobby Shops
• Ueno Park

We should probably do the park in the morning, then Akihabara in afternoon/evening?

Day 4 – Osaka Day 1 (Wednesday, October 17)

• Travel in AM from Tokyo
• Osaka Castle and nearby parks/gardens
• Nakanoshima Park
• Umeda Sky Building

We only made a day trip to Osaka previously, did not stay there last time. Considering the Shin-Osaka area for hotel for proximity to JR line for next destinations… thoughts?

Day 5 – Osaka Day 2 (Thursday, October 18)

• Universal Studios Japan

Plenty to do here, but main focus will be on Nintendo World. Figure this warrants a full day.

Day 6 – Osaka Day 3 (Saturday, October 19)

• Explore Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
• Explore Dotonbori
• Explore Nipponbashi Denden Town
• Explore Shin Sekai
• teamlab Botanical Garden

This is largely a freeform day. Only "must do" is teamlab Botanical garden… A lot of time in Osaka between these three days I reckon should be more than enough.

Day 7 – Kobe Day Trip (Osaka Day 4?) (Sunday, October 20)

• Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
• Kobe Maritime Museum
• Minato Kobe Marine Fireworks Festival in Evening

Debating between making this a day trip, or spending an night directly in Kobe. Not sure with timing of the Fireworks show! 100% have to go to the Herb Gardens though. Maritime Museum is really just there for something to do new fireworks viewing area. Suggestions are appreciated.

Day 8 – Hiroshima / Itsukushima (Monday, October 21)

• Hiroshima
  • Shukkein Garden
  • Peace Memorial Park
• Itsukushima
  • Itsukushima Jinja
  • Momijidani Park
  • Miyajima Ropeway to Shishiiwa / Mount Misen Observatory

I'm not sure how doable this is in one day, especially when factoring in travel time. Willing to spend the night here if it's a logical stop. Feels like the most crammed portion of trip.

Days 9 and 10 – Kumamoto (Tuesday, October 22 – Wednesday October 23)

Combining the description here as this is the area I'm least familiar with. Primary goal over two days is to visit every "One Piece" statue in the area. Based on other responses two days seems enough to hit all of these. Need heavy suggestions here, will be scouring this sub for other reports that did this. The one thing I'm considering is a hired guide/transportation for this. I know its expensive, but I do not want to drive myself while in the country. Thoughts on a dedicated tour guide for this???

Day 11 – Travel to Tokyo (Thursday October 24)

• JR to Tokyo (about 5.5-6 hours)
• Free form, returning to areas we missed from earlier
• Pack up

I want to stay somewhere close-ish to Haneda airport as we depart from there the next morning. Definitely would appreciate suggestions here.

Day 12 – Departure (Friday, October 25)

• Flight departs 10 AM out of Haneda

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!