Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Hakone, Kansai & Hiroshima

Travel west from Tokyo through Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji to Hiroshima, returning to Osaka for departure.

This open-jaw itinerary connects Japan's most iconic destinations—Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima—without backtracking. The pace is relatively fast with five hotel changes, making it ideal for first-time visitors who want to see it all. Kanazawa and Takayama are excluded for a future visit; if you have less time, the Hiroshima portion can be omitted.

Peak seasons are cherry blossoms and autumn foliage; book accommodations in Kyoto, Hakone, and Miyajima well in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Tokyo & Explore Asakusa

Central Tokyo（Senso-ji Temple、Tokyo Skytree）

Take the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to Ueno, approx. 1 hour, then transfer to the subway to Asakusa. Explore on foot in the evening.

Stay: Ueno & Asakusa

Day 2 · Harajuku, Shibuya & Shinjuku

Central Tokyo（Meiji Jingu、Takeshita Street, Harajuku、Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky、Shinjuku Gyoen、Omoide Yokocho）

Travel by JR Yamanote Line and subway. Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku are adjacent, taking about 5 to 10 minutes between each stop.

Stay: Ueno & Asakusa

Day 3 · Tsukiji, Imperial Palace & Ueno

Central Tokyo（Tsukiji Outer Market、Ginza、Tokyo Imperial Palace & East Gardens、Ueno Park、Akihabara）

Take the subway between Tsukiji and Tokyo Station, walk to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and take the JR line to Ueno and Akihabara in the afternoon.

Stay: Ueno & Asakusa

Day 4 · To Hakone & Owakudani

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Hakone Tozan Railway、Hakone Open-Air Museum、Owakudani）

Take the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, approx. 1.5 hours, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway and ropeway to Owakudani.

The Owakudani ropeway can be affected by volcanic gases and strong winds; check operation status before departing.

Stay: Gora

Day 5 · Lake Ashi to Kyoto

Mount Fuji & Hakone（Lake Ashi、Hakone Shrine） → Kyoto（Pontocho）

Explore Lake Ashi in the morning, take a bus to Odawara (approx. 1 hour), and ride the Shinkansen to Kyoto (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 6 · Fushimi Inari & Higashiyama

Kyoto（Fushimi Inari Taisha、Kiyomizu-dera、Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka、Gion & Hanamikoji Street）

Take the JR line to Inari Station early in the morning, then take a bus to Higashiyama. Walk from Kiyomizu-dera to Gion (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 7 · Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji

Kyoto（Arashiyama Bamboo Grove、Tenryu-ji、Togetsukyo Bridge、Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)、Nijo Castle）

Take an early train to Arashiyama for a walk, then take the Randen tram or a bus to Kinkaku-ji in the afternoon, followed by Nijo Castle. Bus rides take about 30 minutes per leg.

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 8 · Nara Day Trip

Nara（Kofuku-ji、Nara Park、Todai-ji、Kasuga Taisha）

Take the Kintetsu or JR Nara Line from Kyoto to Nara, approx. 45 minutes. Explore Nara Park on foot and return to Kyoto in the evening.

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 9 · Himeji Castle to Hiroshima

Kobe（Himeji Castle） → Hiroshima（Atomic Bomb Dome、Peace Memorial Park & Museum、Okonomimura）

Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Himeji, approx. 1 hour. After sightseeing, take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, approx. 1 hour.

The Peace Memorial Museum closes relatively early; check opening hours before arrival.

Stay: Kamiyacho·Hondori

Day 10 · Miyajima Torii & Mount Misen

Miyajima（Itsukushima Shrine、Senjokaku & Five-storied Pagoda、Mount Misen、Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street）

Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, approx. 30 minutes, then a 10-minute ferry. Explore the island on foot and by ropeway.

The view of the Great Torii Gate changes with the tide; check the tide table in advance.

Stay: Around Itsukushima Shrine

Day 11 · To Osaka: Castle & Dotonbori

Osaka（Osaka Castle、Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi）

Take the ferry back to Miyajimaguchi, then the Shinkansen via Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka, approx. 1.5 hours. Transfer to the subway within the city.

Stay: Namba

Day 12 · Kuromon Market & Departure

Osaka（Kuromon Ichiba Market）

Walk from Namba to Kuromon Ichiba Market, then take the Nankai Limited Express to Kansai Airport in the afternoon, approx. 40 minutes.

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