With a scheduled arrival at Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals at 19:00, keep tonight simple: immigration, baggage collection and the walk to the station can take well over an hour, especially if the flight is delayed. Follow the JR signs to Kansai-Airport Station and take a Haruka limited express toward Kyoto. The train journey is roughly 75–90 minutes, but check the timetable for 11 October and leave a backup plan in case delays mean you miss your intended departure.
Pick up something easy at a Kansai International Airport convenience store before boarding. This is more dependable than planning a sit-down dinner after a long flight, when you may reach Kyoto quite late. Allow roughly ¥500–¥1,200 per person for a drink and a quick meal; availability and opening hours can vary.
Take a taxi or local transit from Kyoto Station to Hotel M’s, depending on the exact branch. There are multiple M’s properties in Kyoto, so confirm the address, route and late check-in instructions with your booking; contact the hotel if your flight or train is running late. Skip sightseeing tonight and get some rest—your next day is a better time to explore.
Start early at Fushimi Inari-taisha—the shrine grounds are open around the clock and there’s no admission fee, so arriving around 7 a.m. helps you enjoy the lower torii gates before the Sunday crowds build. Allow about two hours, but there’s no need to climb all the way to the summit: turn back when you’ve had your fill of the trail. From Fushimi-Inari Station, take the Keihan Line to Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, then walk uphill for roughly 25–30 minutes to Kiyomizu-dera; a taxi is easier on the legs if you’re short on time.
Set aside about 1½ hours for Kiyomizu-dera, including its famous wooden stage and hillside views. Admission is typically around ¥500; check the temple’s current hours before setting out, as seasonal schedules can vary. From there, continue downhill through Sannenzaka, allowing about an hour to browse its old lanes, small craft shops and snack counters. It gets busy, especially on weekends, so take your time and watch your footing on the steep stone paving.
Carry on toward Gion Tanto for okonomiyaki in the Gion district. Budget roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and allow 1–1½ hours; evening queues are common, so check opening hours and whether reservations are possible before you arrive. After dinner, enjoy an unhurried wander through Gion’s lanes, keeping voices low around residential streets.
Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama (about 17 minutes), then walk roughly 10 minutes to Tenryu-ji. Aim to arrive near opening, usually 8:30 a.m.; the garden admission is about ¥500, with an extra charge to enter the temple buildings. Give the garden around 1.5 hours, taking time to enjoy its pond and mountain backdrop before the paths get busier.
Leave through the temple’s north gate and you’ll come straight to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The path is free and takes about 45 minutes at an unhurried pace, though it can be crowded by late morning—keep moving beyond the first photo stops for a quieter feel. Then walk to Arashiyama Yoshimura, beside Togetsukyo Bridge, for soba and river views; budget about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person and allow extra time if there’s a queue.
Finish at Okochi Sanso Garden, a short walk uphill from the bamboo grove. This former villa’s winding garden paths and hillside views make a lovely contrast to the busier riverfront; allow about 1.5 hours. It generally opens 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with admission around ¥1,000, typically including tea and a sweet. Wear comfortable shoes for the slopes, and leave a little breathing room afterward to wander Arashiyama before heading back to central Kyoto.
Take an early Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station—the ride is about 1 hour 40 minutes. Leave your bags in station lockers or use a luggage-delivery service; you’ll want to explore hands-free. Head to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum when it opens, typically at 7:30 a.m. (hours vary seasonally; check before you go). Allow 1.5–2 hours; admission is about ¥200, and the exhibits are powerful, so give yourself time rather than rushing through.
Walk to Nagata-ya, just beside Peace Memorial Park, for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki—budget around ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. It’s popular, so expect a possible wait; an early lunch can help. Then spend an unhurried hour or so among the park’s riverside paths and memorials, including the Atomic Bomb Dome.
This is a long transfer day: leave Hiroshima by mid-afternoon for Odawara, changing at Shin-Osaka and taking a Shinkansen that stops at Odawara. Allow roughly 4–5 hours overall, then continue by local train to Hakone-Yumoto; check the final connections before leaving Hiroshima, as you’ll likely arrive in the evening. Keep dinner plans flexible and have a snack for the train—this schedule leaves little room for delays.
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