Hello everyone. This is a revised version of the last itinerary I posted, after some advice and doing more research. Hopefully it's still not too busy.
Itinerary – Kyoto, Osaka, Shimanami Kaido, Hiroshima. 12 days
Day 1: USA to Kyoto
- Land at KIX at 18:50. Take the limousine bus or limited express to Hyatt Place Kyoto. Get some sleep.
Day 2: Kyoto
- Spend the day exploring closer Kyoto sights.
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Fushimi Inari shrine
- Walk around Higashiyama and Gion area
- Hike Mount Daimonji
Day 3: Nara (day trip)
- Tōdai-ji
- Nara Park
- Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest
Day 4: Kyoto
- More stuff around west Kyoto.
- Hike Takao to Hozukyō via Kiyotaki River
- Kinkaku-ji
Day 5: Kyoto –> Osaka (hotel in Namba/Dotonbori)
- Fushimi Inari shrine early
- Arima Onsen Grand Hotel for a couple hours(?)
- Should we stop at the hotel in Osaka first since it's closer to Arima Onsen? I've been there once before and it seems closer to Osaka than Kyoto.
Day 6: Osaka
- Spend the day in Osaka and Kobe with her friend who lives nearby.
- Osaka Castle
- Shinsekai
- Sunset at Kobe harbor maybe(?)
- Namba and Dotonbori bars at night
Day 7: Osaka –> Onomichi
- Bikan Historical District on the way to Onomichi
- Go to Onomichi to stay overnight and prepare for Shimanami Kaido the next day.
- Arrange for bike rental today or in the morning? I will book it online. Are there reputable companies to rent from that also allow to leave the bikes in Imabari? It will be a Tuesday when we arrive in Imabari btw, so I don't think we can use Giant Store
Day 8: Onomichi to Omishima
- Bike the route from Onomichi. Stay overnight in Omishima.
- Must do things to do along the way?
Day 9: Omishima to Imabari
- Travel across Shimanami Kaido to Imabari.
- Return the bikes and take the train/bus to Matsuyama.
- Is there time later in the day to see Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen?
Day 10: Matsuyama to Hiroshima via fast ferry
- Explore Hiroshima
- Maybe go to Miyajima(?) How early and late does the ferry run?
Day 11: Hiroshima
- Explore Hiroshima
- Peace Park Memorial
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Flight at 21:50 to Tokyo HND
- Explore Shinjuku or Shibuya
Day 12: Tokyo
- Explore Tokyo during the day.
- Flight from NRT to home at 18:00
Thanks in advance for your advice and feedback! Does this itinerary look too rushed now? haha
by philsworth