My friend and I will be travelling to Japan for the first time this September for 14 days.

How does this itinerary look? We are hoping to have a fairly chilled out schedule and to fit in some uniquely Japanese experiences. Does anyone have any suggestions that are off the beaten track?

Day 1: Osaka

• Arrival in Osaka
• Check-in at your hotel
• Explore Dotonbori for street food and shopping

Day 2: Osaka

• Visit Osaka Castle and its park
• Explore Umeda Sky Building
• Relax at a local sento in the evening

Day 3: Kyoto

• Travel to Kyoto
• Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
• Explore Gion District

Day 4: Kyoto

• Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Visit Ryoan-ji Temple
• Explore Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple

Day 5: Nara (Day Trip)

• Visit Todai-ji Temple
• Explore Nara Park
• Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Return to Kyoto or stay in Nara overnight

Day 6: Kinosaki Onsen

• Travel to Kinosaki Onsen
• Check-in at a ryokan
• Enjoy onsen hopping and relax

Day 7: Kinosaki Onsen

• Spend a full day in Kinosaki Onsen
• Continue enjoying the hot springs
• Enjoy a kaiseki dinner at your ryokan

Day 8: Hiroshima

• Travel to Hiroshima
• Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
• Stay overnight in Hiroshima

Day 9: Miyajima Island

• Day trip to Miyajima Island
• Visit Itsukushima Shrine
• Return to Hiroshima in the evening

Day 10: Osaka (via Himeji)

• Travel back to Osaka via Himeji
• Visit Himeji Castle
• Continue to Osaka and check-in at your hotel

Day 11: Hakone

• Travel to Hakone
• Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum
• Check-in at a ryokan with onsen facilities

Day 12: Hakone

• Explore Hakone: Take the Hakone Ropeway for views of Mt. Fuji
• Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ashi
• Relax in the onsen at your ryokan in the evening

Day 13: Osaka

• Return to Osaka
• Last-minute shopping or visit Osaka Aquarium/Universal Studios Japan

Day 14: Miyajima & Departure from Osaka

• Day trip to Miyajima Island
• Visit Itsukushima Shrine
• Return to Osaka in the evening for departure
• Fly Home