Tokyo and Hiroshima Itinerary with Estimated Afternoon Hotel Return Times

Morning: Disembarkation and Luggage Drop

After disembarking at the International Cruise Terminal, Daiba, around 9:00 AM, take a taxi directly to Marunouchi Hotel. Allow roughly 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic, and expect approximately ¥4,000–6,000. The hotel can hold your luggage before the 3:00 PM check-in; confirm this arrangement in advance, especially if arriving before the standard noon luggage-storage window. From the hotel, take a taxi or train toward Asakusa—walking back from Sumida Park to Marunouchi before check-in would be too far and would make the afternoon unnecessarily rushed.

Late Morning and Lunch: Asakusa Riverside

Begin the Sumida River Walk near Asakusa and follow the waterfront toward Tokyo Skytree, allowing 45–60 minutes at an easy pace. Continue through Sumida Park, where late-March cherry blossoms may be beginning to open, although peak bloom varies by year. Finish at Tokyo Mizumachi for lunch around noon; its riverside cafés and casual restaurants are convenient for this itinerary, with most meals costing about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check restaurant hours beforehand, as some individual tenants open later or close on irregular weekdays. After lunch, take a taxi back to Marunouchi Hotel—allow 25–40 minutes—and use the period before 3:00 PM check-in to rest rather than attempting another long walk.

Evening: Marunouchi to Shinjuku

For the private evening tour, ask the chauffeur to make Nijubashi Bridge a short photo stop either before heading to Shinjuku or on the return route, depending on traffic. The bridge is especially atmospheric as the Imperial Palace grounds and Marunouchi offices begin to light up, but a brief stop is sufficient. At Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, two hours is generally comfortable for the observation deck and the evening projection-mapping display, provided the observation-deck queue is modest. Check the official schedule for the projection show and arrive with enough flexibility for security and elevator lines; on busy evenings, allow closer to 2½ hours. The observation decks are usually free, while the projection mapping is typically free, but operating hours and showtimes can change. Afterward, return to the hotel with the chauffeur rather than relying on a late train after a long arrival day.

Morning

Take a taxi from Marunouchi Hotel to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sekiguchi, allowing about 25–35 minutes in morning traffic. Arrive by 7:45 AM for quiet prayer before leaving around 8:15 AM; the cathedral is generally open from morning, but check the Mass and prayer schedule before traveling. From there, a taxi to Senso-ji takes roughly 25–35 minutes. Be at the meeting point by 9:15 AM for your 9:30 AM Old Tokyo Walking Tour. The temple precinct, Kaminarimon, and Nakamise-dori are most pleasant before the crowds build; keep valuables secure and avoid blocking worshippers around the main hall.

Late Morning and Lunch

After the approximately two-hour tour, take your reserved Asakusa rickshaw ride, usually 45–60 minutes. This is a comfortable way to see the quieter lanes around Asakusa without adding more walking, and your driver can point out traditional houses and small neighborhood shrines. Afterwards, stop at Asakusa Kagetsudo for its famous oversized melonpan and a light snack—about ¥500–1,500 per person. It is more of a quick local treat than a full lunch, so add a simple savory item nearby if you are hungry. Keep this portion flexible, but aim to leave Asakusa by 1:00 PM.

Afternoon

Take a taxi to the Mukojima Geisha Show, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on traffic, and arrive around 1:30 PM for the 2:00 PM performance. Mukojima’s traditional entertainment district feels much more intimate than central Tokyo, and the one-hour show is best enjoyed as a cultural introduction rather than a photo opportunity—follow the venue’s photography rules. Afterward, return by taxi to your hotel for a proper rest; the ride is typically 20–30 minutes, and resting is worthwhile before dinner.

Evening

Leave the hotel around 5:45 PM for The Sky, Hotel New Otani Tokyo, allowing 20–30 minutes by taxi and arriving for your 6:30 PM reservation. The restaurant is known for its panoramic setting and buffet-style dining, with dinner commonly around ¥8,000–15,000 per person before drinks. Ask for a window table when confirming, though views can be softened by spring haze. Dress smart-casual, and allow at least two hours for dinner rather than trying to rush through the meal.

Morning

Start around 8:00 AM at Sasano Café in Ueno, allowing about ¥800–1,500 per person for breakfast. From the café, walk toward Tokyo National Museum; the museum generally opens at 9:30 AM, so you should arrive just before opening and avoid the first rush. Give yourselves three to four hours for the Japanese Gallery, Toyokan, and the seasonal exhibitions—this is a substantial museum, and trying to see every building will make the morning feel hurried. Admission is commonly around ¥1,000, with special exhibitions charged separately. Check the official schedule because museums in Japan typically close one day each week and exhibition hours can vary.

Lunch and Afternoon Exploring

Have lunch at a Tokyo National Museum café or restaurant rather than leaving the museum district; expect roughly ¥1,000–2,500 per person. Afterward, spend 45–60 minutes wandering through Ueno Park, especially around Shinobazu Pond and the tree-lined paths. Early April is usually excellent for seasonal scenery, although cherry-blossom timing varies from year to year. Continue to Ameyoko Shopping Street, a lively market corridor between Ueno and Okachimachi where you can browse snacks, tea, cosmetics, clothing, and seafood. It is more atmospheric than polished, so enjoy it as a casual wander rather than a formal shopping stop; allow about an hour and carry small yen notes for food stalls.

Late Afternoon

From Ameyoko, take a short taxi to Kappabashi Dougu Street in Asakusa—about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic, usually around ¥1,500–2,500—or use the Ginza Line from Ueno to Tawaramachi and walk several minutes. The stores specialize in Japanese knives, pottery, lacquerware, restaurant signs, bento boxes, and remarkably realistic plastic food. Allow 60–90 minutes, but remember that many shops close around 5:00–6:00 PM and some are closed on Sundays or occasional weekdays. If you buy a knife, ask the shop about engraving, sharpening, airline packing, and customs rules before carrying it home. A taxi back to the Marunouchi Hotel will usually take 20–30 minutes in afternoon traffic; leaving Kappabashi by about 4:30–5:00 PM gives you a comfortable return and a quiet evening after a museum-heavy day.

Morning: Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen

Leave Marunouchi Hotel with your luggage around 8:45 AM so you have comfortable time to reach Tokyo Station, find the correct Shinkansen gates, and buy a bento and drinks. For the direct Nozomi to Hiroshima Station, reserve an A-seat if seeing Mount Fuji is your priority: traveling west, Fuji is generally on the left, and the best views come roughly 40–60 minutes after departure. Rows 5–10 are convenient, though visibility depends on weather. An E-seat offers a quieter window-side alternative on the opposite side. If carrying large suitcases, reserve an oversized-baggage seat area in advance; otherwise, keep smaller bags overhead. The journey takes just under four hours, with arrival around 2:00 PM.

Afternoon: First Taste of Hiroshima

After arriving, stay inside Hiroshima Station for a relaxed late lunch at Ekie, the station’s excellent shopping and dining complex. This is a practical first stop after the train, with Hiroshima specialties, sushi, noodles, and casual restaurants generally costing ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. Allow about an hour, then take a taxi—roughly 10 minutes—to Shukkeien Garden. The compact historic garden is ideal for a first walk in Hiroshima: follow the paths around ponds, bridges, tea houses, and carefully shaped hills, allowing 60–90 minutes. Check the seasonal closing time before traveling; in early April, the garden is typically open into the late afternoon, but you should arrive by about 3:15 PM.

From Shukkeien Garden, walk or take a short taxi ride—about 10 minutes—to Hiroshima Castle. Concentrate on the grounds and the castle museum’s upper-level city views, allowing about an hour. The castle usually closes around 5:00 PM, with last admission earlier, so keep this visit efficient if your train arrives late. Both locations are largely outdoors, so comfortable shoes and a light rain layer are worthwhile in spring.

Evening: Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki

Finish in the Hondori area at Okonomiyaki Nagata-ya, a popular place for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki layered with cabbage, noodles, batter, and toppings. From Hiroshima Castle, allow roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi or about 25 minutes on foot. Expect ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and a meal of about an hour; queues are common at dinner, so put your name down when you arrive and use the surrounding arcades for a short wander if necessary. Afterward, Hondori is well placed for a taxi back to your accommodation, or you can walk toward the central tram stops for an inexpensive local ride.