Nineteen days, one page

The trip,
a day at a time.

One row per day, from the Narita landing to the Kansai flight home: where you sleep that night, what moves, what you came to see and what is still not booked. The hour by hour stays on each day page.

19Days in Japan

6Bases, 18 nights

5Days you change room

17Dated items still open

The shape of it

Four weeks, six bases.

Weeks run Monday to Sunday, so the two crowd days of a weekend sit together on the right. The tone changes every time the room does.

New baseCheck out, travel, check in
National holidayThe heaviest crowds of the trip
Still to bookSomething is owed on this date
SteadyOne room, one neighbourhood

3 busy days in a row. Sat 10 Oct, Osaka; Sun 11 Oct, Nara; Mon 12 Oct, Osaka. Sports Day is the national holiday inside it, and the run opens on a day you change base, so anything timed here is worth holding early.

No single date

3 things belong to the trip, not to a day.

Refundable city hotelsDone. All six stays are confirmed. Sep 26 - Oct 14.Review
Travel insurance for both travellersBefore paying any non-refundable deposit. Sep 25 - Oct 14.Book it
Rail pass decisionDecide before buying individual tickets. Oct 1-12.Book it

Day by day

Quiet days say two lines. The heavy ones say what makes them heavy.

Sat26SepDay 1

Tokyo

Land softly

Weekend

Night 1 of 5 at The Centurion Classic Akasaka, Akasaka, Minato

A calm first Tokyo streetscape, The hotel-to-station route

Still to book, 2

eSIM or pocket Wi-FiInstall and test on Wi-Fi before departure.Opens: Open nowOn the board
Narita to Akasaka transferSkyliner to Ueno then the Ginza line, or price the limousine bus.Opens: Open nowOn the board

Getting around, 3 notes

From NRT arrivals, follow live signs to the selected operator counter.
Buy/load Suica in Apple Wallet or use an operator ticket; keep a physical-payment fallback.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day. Live signs override this app.

Day 1 hour by hour

Sun27SepDay 2

Tokyo

Old Tokyo, slowly

Weekend

Night 2 of 5 at The Centurion Classic Akasaka, Akasaka, Minato

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Senso-ji, Kappabashi

Already held: teamLab Planets, Toyosu; Tokyo Skytree, Tembo Deck.

Getting around, 3 notes

Use Google Maps/NAVITIME from the final hotel to Asakusa Station.
Confirm whether Ginza, Asakusa or Toei Asakusa Line best fits the hotel.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 2 hour by hour

Mon28SepDay 3

Tokyo

Forest to neon

Night 3 of 5 at The Centurion Classic Akasaka, Akasaka, Minato

Meiji Jingu, Cat Street, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky

Still to book, 1

Shibuya Sky sunsetBook around Sep 14 for the 16:30 to 17:00 slot.Opens: The official site sells about two weeks aheadOn the board

Getting around, 3 notes

Hotel → Meiji-jingumae/Harajuku using the live route.
Walk the whole north-to-south neighbourhood sequence; avoid unnecessary subway hops.
Return from Shibuya or Ebisu. Platform: Confirm live.

Day 3 hour by hour

Tue29SepDay 4

Tokyo

Market, immersion, polish

Night 4 of 5 at The Centurion Classic Akasaka, Akasaka, Minato

Tsukiji Outer Market, teamLab Planets, Ginza Itoya, One depachika

Still to book, 1

Art Aquarium Ginza, optionalBuy only once the Sep 29 shape is final; first thing to cut when tired.Opens: Timed tickets, may sell outOn the board

Already held: teamLab Borderless, Azabudai Hills.

On the tour shortlist: Tsukiji outer market morning food walk. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Use the hotel’s fastest live route to Tsukiji-shijo/Higashi-ginza.
Tsukiji → Shin-toyosu by Toei/Oedo plus Yurikamome or taxi depending on slot.
Toyosu → Ginza by Yurakucho Line/walk; confirm live.

Day 4 hour by hour

Wed30SepDay 5

Tokyo

One big decision

Night 5 of 5 at The Centurion Classic Akasaka, Akasaka, Minato

Selected anchor only, Luggage-forwarding receipt

Already held: Tokyo DisneySea, booked.

On the tour shortlist: Tokyo by Night private photo workshop. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Warner Bros.: live route to Toshimaen Station; follow official walking signs.
Ghibli: JR to Mitaka plus official community bus/walk.
DisneySea: JR to Maihama then Disney Resort Line; arrive before gates.

Day 5 hour by hour

October

Thu1OctDay 6

Hakone

Mountains and onsen

New base

Check outThe Centurion Classic AkasakaCheck inSetsugetsukaGora, night 1 of 2

Owakudani if open, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Ryokan onsen

Still to book, 2

Romancecar Shinjuku → Hakone-YumotoOpens: Sep 1 at 10:00 JSTOn the board
Confirm the two Setsugetsuka dinnersCriticalMessage the ryokan and confirm whether dinner and breakfast are in the rate.One booking, covering Oct 1-3On the board

Already held: Hakone ryokan, 2 nights; Pokemon Cafe, date clash to resolve.

The journey

Akasaka-mitsuke to Shinjuku is direct on the Marunouchi line, about 10 minutes. Leave 60 minutes before the Romancecar; Shinjuku Station eats 15 of them.
Odakyu Romancecar toward Hakone-Yumoto; separate base fare/pass and limited-express ticket as instructed.
Hakone local loop uses Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, ship and buses; closures override sequence.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 6 hour by hour

Fri2OctDay 7

Hakone

Art and exhale

Night 2 of 2 at Setsugetsuka, Gora

Hakone Open-Air Museum, A second unhurried onsen

Getting around, 3 notes

Use Hakone Tozan Railway/bus based on ryokan location.
Build a single outward route and return rather than zig-zagging.
Platform/stop: Confirm on live display and Hakone Navi.

Day 7 hour by hour

Sat3OctDay 8

Kyoto

Bullet train west

New baseWeekend

Check outSetsugetsukaCheck inKIORI Hotel TakakuraTakakura, central Kyoto, night 1 of 5

Fuji-side train window if visible, Gion Shirakawa evening

Still to book, 1

Odawara → KyotoReserve all three legs together; check the train stops at Odawara.Opens: Eligible trains up to one year; special seats differOn the board

The journey

Hakone-Yumoto → Odawara on Hakone Tozan/Odakyu local service.
Tokaido Shinkansen Odawara → Kyoto. Nozomi does not stop at Odawara, so this leg is Hikari (or Kodama); expect roughly two hours and book the Hikari shown by SmartEX.
Seat D on ordinary-car 2+3 seating is generally the Fuji side when travelling west, but verify the train layout.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 8 hour by hour

Sun4OctDay 9

Kyoto

Bamboo, garden, river

Weekend

Night 2 of 5 at KIORI Hotel Takakura, Takakura, central Kyoto

Bamboo grove early, Tenryu-ji garden, Togetsukyo Bridge

Still to book, 1

One Kyoto counter dinnerAsk the KIORI front desk to call once the window opens.One booking, covering One of Oct 4 to 7On the board

Getting around, 3 notes

Use JR Sagano Line, Hankyu or Randen based on hotel location.
Prefer the route with the fewest transfers before 07:00.
Platform: Confirm on station display and NAVITIME.

Day 9 hour by hour

Mon5OctDay 10

Kyoto

Sacred paths and craft sake

Night 3 of 5 at KIORI Hotel Takakura, Takakura, central Kyoto

Senbon Torii, Fushimi sake district, Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

On the tour shortlist: Fushimi sake tasting and brewery context. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

JR Nara Line to Inari or Keihan to Fushimi-inari based on hotel.
Walk shrine route, then use Keihan south to Chushojima/Fushimi-Momoyama area.
Platform: Confirm live.

Day 10 hour by hour

Tue6OctDay 11

Kyoto

Kyoto’s defining walk

Night 4 of 5 at KIORI Hotel Takakura, Takakura, central Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda view, Gion

On the tour shortlist: Camellia tea ceremony at Flower Teahouse. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Hotel → Gojo-zaka/Kiyomizu area by bus, subway+walk or taxi depending on final hotel.
The day is designed as one continuous walk downhill toward Gion.
Kyoto buses can be crowded; live signs override this app.

Day 11 hour by hour

Wed7OctDay 12

Kyoto

Quiet Kyoto for two

Night 5 of 5 at KIORI Hotel Takakura, Takakura, central Kyoto

Nanzen-ji, Philosopher’s Path, One couple workshop

Still to book, 1

Kyoto couple workshopPick one of wagashi, pottery, incense or photography near Nanzen-ji.Opens: Choose by early SeptemberOn the board

On the tour shortlist: Camellia tea ceremony at Flower Teahouse. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Hotel → Keage Station via Kyoto Subway or taxi.
Walk Nanzen-ji → Philosopher’s Path northbound.
Use bus/taxi from the northern end to the workshop; confirm live.

Day 12 hour by hour

Thu8OctDay 13

Hiroshima

History with space

New base

Check outKIORI Hotel TakakuraCheck inHotel Vista HiroshimaCentral Hiroshima, night 1 of 1

Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome

Still to book, 3

Recheck Peace Museum admissionVerify entry rules on the official site close to the visit.Opens: One week beforeOn the board
Kyoto - Hiroshima ShinkansenBook with the Oct 10 leg.Opens: Eligible trains up to one year aheadOn the board
Okonomiyaki on the Hiroshima nightNo booking needed, but check closing time before the Peace Park visit.Opens: Mostly walk-inOn the board

On the tour shortlist: Peace Park guide with Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace. Compare the picks

The journey

Kyoto Station → Hiroshima Station by Sanyo Shinkansen.
Hiroshima Station → Peace Park by Hiroden streetcar or sightseeing loop bus based on hotel/bag drop.
Platform/stop: Confirm on live display.

Day 13 hour by hour

Fri9OctDay 14

Miyajima

Island after the crowds

New base

Check outHotel Vista HiroshimaCheck inMiyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto0.6 km from the island centre, night 1 of 1

Itsukushima Shrine at tide-aware timing, Daisho-in, Island after day visitors leave

Still to book, 1

Confirm the Arimoto dinner and ferry pickupCriticalConfirm dinner time, dietary needs and whether they meet the ferry.Opens: NowOn the board

Already held: Miyajima overnight.

The journey

Hiroshima Station → Miyajimaguchi on JR Sanyo Line toward Iwakuni/Miyajimaguchi area; verify service.
Walk to JR Miyajima Ferry; IC card generally useful, but confirm signage.
Ropeway requires walking/shuttle and may suspend in weather.

Day 14 hour by hour

Sat10OctDay 15

Osaka

Island to neon

New baseWeekend

Check outMiyajima Grand Hotel ArimotoCheck inKOKO HOTEL Osaka Namba SennichimaeNamba, 0.5 km from Osaka Namba Station, night 1 of 4

Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori at night, Forwarded luggage reunion

Still to book, 1

Hiroshima - Shin-Osaka ShinkansenBook with the Oct 8 leg.Opens: Eligible trains up to one year aheadOn the board

The journey

Miyajima ferry → Miyajimaguchi → Hiroshima Station.
Sanyo Shinkansen Hiroshima → Shin-Osaka.
Shin-Osaka → Namba/Shinsaibashi via Osaka Metro Midosuji Line if hotel is south; JR/local if Umeda.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 15 hour by hour

Sun11OctDay 16

Nara

Deer, cedar, great Buddha

Weekend

Night 2 of 4 at KOKO HOTEL Osaka Namba Sennichimae, Namba, 0.5 km from Osaka Namba Station

Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha

On the tour shortlist: Nara Park and Todai-ji guided walk. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Osaka-Namba → Kintetsu-Nara on Kintetsu Nara Line; express type shown live.
Walk continuous park loop; bus is the fatigue backup.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 16 hour by hour

Mon12OctDay 17

Osaka

City contrasts

Sports Day

Night 3 of 4 at KOKO HOTEL Osaka Namba Sennichimae, Namba, 0.5 km from Osaka Namba Station

Osaka Castle grounds, Shinsaibashi, Namba Yasaka Shrine, One skyline view

Sports Day, a national holiday. A national holiday turns a quiet morning into a crowd, so start early and expect the anchors to be full by mid morning.

Still to book, 1

Abeno Harukas 300Only if you still want another skyline view after Tokyo.Opens: 1 to 2 weeks beforeOn the board

On the tour shortlist: Deep Osaka food and drink tour. Compare the picks

Getting around, 3 notes

Hotel → Osaka Castle using Osaka Metro/JR based on property.
Castle → Shinsaibashi by Metro; walk south toward Namba.
Namba → Tennoji/Abeno by Midosuji Line; platform confirmed live.

Day 17 hour by hour

Tue13OctDay 18

Osaka

Play or wander

Night 4 of 4 at KOKO HOTEL Osaka Namba Sennichimae, Namba, 0.5 km from Osaka Namba Station

Chosen anchor, Final packing checklist, Farewell dinner

Still to book, 2

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanBook the 10:00 timed entry for a smoother start.Opens: At least a few days beforeOn the board
Osaka farewell dinnerAsk the KOKO front desk to call from mid September.Opens: Most counters release about 30 days aheadOn the board

Getting around, 3 notes

USJ: hotel → Nishikujo → JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City; exact start depends on hotel.
Aquarium: Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Osakako.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day.

Day 18 hour by hour

Wed14OctDay 19

Osaka → Toronto

Leave with room to breathe

Fly home

Check outKOKO HOTEL Osaka Namba SennichimaeNo room tonightFly home from KansaiOsaka → Toronto

Air Canada terminal confirmation, KIX by about 14:30, Offline document pack

The journey

Namba hotel: Nankai Rapi:t/airport express from Nankai Namba.
Umeda/Tennoji hotel: JR Haruka where practical.
Allow hotel-to-platform walking, ticket pickup, elevator and disruption buffer.
Platform: Confirm on station display and official app on travel day. Live signs override this app.

Day 19 hour by hour

Dates follow the flights you have booked. Change the arrival in settings and this page moves with it, including which days land on a weekend or a holiday. Times, platforms and opening hours are not repeated here: they live on the day pages, and live signs always override both.