After landing at Kansai International Airport (KIX) at 3:30 pm, allow time for immigration and bags before following signs to the Nankai Airport Line. The Airport Express takes about 45 minutes to Nankai Namba Station; the reserved-seat Rapi:t is faster, roughly 35–40 minutes, but costs more. From Namba, check in and drop your bags before heading out. If delays or jet lag catch up with you, keep the evening flexible rather than trying to squeeze in too much.
Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine first: its enormous lion-head stage is an unusual, memorable stop, and about 30 minutes is plenty. The grounds are generally open during daylight hours, so with an October sunset around 5:15 pm, go straight there after checking in if you want to see it before dusk. Then stroll to Dotonbori for the canal, glowing signs and a first taste of Osaka’s lively evening atmosphere; allow 45–60 minutes, and enjoy the walk without feeling obliged to try the famous takoyaki or other dishes.
For dinner, head to Mercy Vegan Factory in Namba. Its fully vegan menu is a promising fit for your partner’s no-egg, no-dashi requirement, and meals are roughly ¥1,000–2,500 per person; check current opening hours and menu before setting off, as schedules can change. Vegan means no animal-derived dashi in the dishes, but if cross-contact is a concern, mention your requirements when ordering. Keep the route back to your hotel easy tonight—tomorrow is a better day for a longer wander.
Head out around 8:30–9:00 and take the Osaka Metro to Tanimachi 4-chome; from there, it’s a short walk into Osaka Castle Park. Give the grounds a relaxed wander before deciding whether to visit the main tower: the museum inside usually opens at 9:00, with last entry around 17:30, and admission is about ¥1,200. The park is free, and the castle grounds are larger than they look on a map, so allow 2–3 hours overall.
From the castle area, walk to the Osaka Museum of History, right by the park; its upper floors give a helpful overview of the city and fine views back toward the castle. It typically opens 9:30–17:00, with admission around ¥600; check the calendar before you go, though Saturday should suit your date. Afterward, take the Metro toward Yodoyabashi and stroll through Nakanoshima Park, where riverside paths and bridges make a pleasant, quieter pause. Allow about 45 minutes there, longer if you fancy a café stop.
For dinner, make Paprika Shokudo Vegan your destination in Shinsaibashi. It’s a fully vegan restaurant, a reassuring choice for your partner’s no-egg, no-dashi requirement; budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and check its current opening days and reserve if possible. Then browse Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, the covered arcade nearby—many shops close around 20:00, though hours vary. From there, it’s an easy walk or short Metro ride back toward your accommodation.
Aim to leave Namba around 6:30–7:00 am so you can reach Universal Studios Japan (USJ) before the day’s opening time. Take the Hanshin Namba Line from Osaka-Namba to Nishikujo, then the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City; allow about 25–35 minutes and roughly ¥360 each way with an IC card. From the station, follow the crowd for a short walk to the entrance. Buy dated park tickets in advance, and check the official USJ app on the day for opening time, ride waits and any timed-entry requirements. Since this is a Sunday, expect a busy park; the app will help you decide which rides to prioritise.
Spend most of the day exploring USJ, then set aside 2–3 hours for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The village is lovely to wander even if you’re not queuing for rides, and the castle is worth seeing up close. Timed entry may apply, so check the app as soon as you arrive and follow its instructions rather than assuming you can enter whenever you like. Take breaks between attractions: queues and walking can make this a long day, and the park’s seasonal Halloween entertainment may add to the crowds.
For lunch, try Three Broomsticks inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, budgeting around ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Menus and preparation details can change, so ask staff directly whether any dish can be made without meat, egg, fish or dashi; don’t assume a dish labelled vegetarian meets your partner’s requirements. If they can’t confirm ingredients and cooking methods, choose a reliable meal elsewhere in the park or use suitable food you’ve brought only after checking USJ’s current outside-food rules. Having a few familiar snacks from India as a backup is sensible, but verify what the park permits before packing them.
After yesterday at Universal Studios Japan, keep the start sensible: leave your Osaka accommodation around 7:00–7:30 am for the roughly two-hour trip to Saga-Arashiyama Station. Walk about 10 minutes to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The public paths are free and open at all hours; allow 30–45 minutes, and expect the quietest stretch early, before tour groups arrive. Stay on the marked paths and take your time—the grove is more atmospheric when you pause rather than rush through for photos.
Continue to Tenryu-ji, next to the grove. Its garden typically opens at 8:30 am; garden admission is about ¥500, with an additional fee to enter the temple buildings. Allow 1–1.5 hours. If you consider eating at the temple, ask specifically about fish-based dashi: vegetarian dishes may still contain it, and “no meat” is not enough to establish that a meal is suitable. From here, stroll toward Togetsukyo Bridge (about 10–15 minutes on foot) for river and mountain views; give it around 30 minutes, with time to browse the nearby lanes if something catches your eye.
Walk roughly 15 minutes uphill to Okochi Sanso Garden for a quieter hour among the paths and garden viewpoints. Admission is about ¥1,000 and usually includes a bowl of matcha and a small sweet; check the day’s closing time before setting out, as the garden closes in the late afternoon. For dinner, head back to Saga-Arashiyama Station and take the JR Sagano Line to Kyoto Station, then visit Kyoto Ramen Koji on the station building’s 10th floor. Ramen options vary, and broths commonly contain meat or fish; your partner should confirm every ingredient, including dashi and toppings, or use an RTE meal from India. Budget about ¥1,000–1,500 per bowl and allow 45–60 minutes before continuing back to Osaka.
Leave Arashiyama early enough to reach Fushimi Inari Taisha around 7:30–8:00 am; the shrine grounds are open around the clock, and the lower torii paths are much calmer before tour groups arrive. Allow 2–3 hours: walk through the famous gates and climb as far up Mount Inari as feels comfortable. The full round trip to the summit takes about 2–3 hours and includes plenty of steps, so turning back at one of the viewpoints is perfectly worthwhile.
From Inari Station, take the JR Nara Line one stop to Tofukuji Station, then walk about 10 minutes to Tofuku-ji. Give its gardens and Tsūtenkyō Bridge around 1.5 hours; the temple generally opens around 9:00 am and closes in the late afternoon, with seasonal hours and admission fees varying by area. Late October can bring early autumn color, though peak foliage is usually later. Afterward, walk or take a short taxi ride to Sanjūsangen-dō—its long hall and rows of statues are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace. Plan about an hour; it typically closes at 5:00 pm, with last admission before closing.
Head to CHOICE in Sanjō for dinner (budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person), then stroll Pontocho Alley for 30–45 minutes. Because your partner avoids both egg and dashi, don’t rely on a dish being labelled vegetarian: explain the restriction clearly and confirm directly with staff that the dish and its broth or sauce contain neither. Pontocho is a narrow atmospheric lane, so enjoy a look around rather than counting on finding a suitable meal there; it’s especially charming after dusk.
Take a morning Shinkansen so you reach Shinjuku with time to check in or leave your bags at the hotel. The journey is roughly 3–3.5 hours door to door, and a reserved seat is worthwhile if you’re travelling with suitcases; book ahead and check whether your train has oversized-baggage rules. Keep the afternoon flexible—if check-in takes longer than expected, shorten the garden visit rather than rushing through it.
If you arrive with enough daylight, spend about 1.5 hours wandering Shinjuku Gyoen: its broad lawns and carefully tended Japanese, English and French-style gardens make a restorative change of pace after the train. Late October can bring early autumn colour, though the most vivid foliage often comes later. The garden generally closes in the late afternoon, with last entry before closing; check the current hours and admission fee (typically around ¥500) before setting out.
From the garden, head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Nishi-Shinjuku for the free observation decks and a city panorama—go around dusk if timing works, and check the current deck hours and closures before you walk over. Finish at AIN SOPH. Journey Shinjuku for a fully vegan dinner; allow roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Since restaurant hours and booking arrangements can change, confirm them in advance, and mention “no egg, no dashi” when ordering so your partner can dine comfortably.
From Shinjuku, take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station (about 5 minutes), then walk to the shrine’s forested entrance. Meiji Jingu is free to enter; its grounds open around sunrise and close around sunset, so check the seasonal hours for your date. Allow about 1½ hours for the long, peaceful approach and a look around the shrine. The broad gravel paths are a nice contrast to the city, but comfortable shoes help.
Walk back toward Harajuku Station and browse Takeshita Street for about 45 minutes; shops generally get going around 11 am, so it’s livelier later in the morning. Treat the snack stalls as browsing rather than a guaranteed meal: crepes and other sweets commonly contain egg, and ingredients or shared equipment may be unclear. From there, stroll south to Omotesando (roughly 10–15 minutes on foot) for its tree-lined avenue, striking architecture and shops; take your time for an hour or so, without feeling you need to cover every block.
Continue on foot toward Shibuya (around 20–25 minutes from central Omotesando) or take the Tokyo Metro one stop from Omotesando Station to Shibuya Station. At Milan Nataraj Shibuya, ask specifically for dishes with no egg, dashi, meat or fish, and confirm that the kitchen can accommodate a strict vegetarian meal; “vegetarian” in Japan can still include dashi, so don’t rely on the label alone. Budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. After lunch, spend about 30 minutes at Shibuya Scramble Crossing and its surrounding lights; it’s especially atmospheric after dark, and the station’s pedestrian routes make it easy to return to Shinjuku by JR Yamanote Line.
Take the Toei Oedo Line from Shinjuku to Toshimaen; the ride is about 20–25 minutes, and the studio is a short walk from the station. Book a timed-entry ticket in advance and arrive a little early for check-in. Set aside 4–6 hours for the tour: it’s immersive, with plenty to see, so there’s no need to rush through the sets and exhibits.
After the tour, take a gentle 30–45-minute walk around the former Toshimaen area. Think of this as a neighbourhood wander rather than a formal attraction: the local streets make a pleasant breather after the studio’s indoor sets. If you’re hungry, check the studio’s food options before leaving; for your partner, confirm ingredients carefully, since “vegetarian” in Japan may still include egg, fish stock or dashi.
Head to Tokyo Station for dinner at T’s Tantan, which serves fully vegan ramen—roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person and a reassuring option for an egg- and dashi-free meal. Check the current outlet location and opening hours before setting out; some station shops are inside the ticket gates, so access may require a train ticket. After dinner, take the JR Chuo Line to Shinjuku and stretch your legs with an easy 30–45-minute stroll along Shinjuku Southern Terrace, a relaxed way to wind down near the station.
After yesterday’s Studio Tour, take an easy start and head to Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama. Allow about 1½–2 hours for its Japanese and East Asian collection, then slow down in the museum’s lovely garden, where winding paths, ponds and tea houses feel a world away from the city. It’s generally open 10:00 am–5:00 pm and closed Mondays; admission is usually around ¥1,500–¥2,000, so check the current schedule and ticket details before setting out.
Walk about 15 minutes north to Aoyama Cemetery for a quiet, leafy stroll. It’s a working cemetery, so keep voices low and stay on the paths; the broad lanes lined with trees make a peaceful change from Tokyo’s busy streets. From here, continue toward Shibuya by train or taxi, leaving a little buffer for the walk and station transfers.
Head to Shibuya Sky for your timed rooftop visit. Book ahead, especially for a clear-sky slot near sunset, and arrive early for security and the lift; allow about 1½ hours overall. Tickets vary by date and time, so check the official booking site. The rooftop can close or restrict access in strong winds or bad weather, so keep your plans flexible.
Finish at Nagi Shokudo, a vegan restaurant in Shibuya, usually around ¥1,000–¥2,000 per person. Confirm its current opening days and hours before you go, and ask staff to verify that the dishes contain no egg or dashi; vegan menus are a helpful starting point, but checking directly is wise. From Shibuya Sky, it’s a short walk through the neighborhood—an easy, satisfying end to the day.
Take the JR Yamanote Line from Harajuku to Akihabara (about 25–30 minutes), then walk roughly 10–15 minutes to Kanda Myojin. Arrive in the morning for a quieter visit to this colourful, centuries-old shrine; allow about 45 minutes, and remember that the grounds are free to enter. Its mix of traditional architecture and modern pop-culture charms feels very Tokyo.
Walk back toward Akihabara Electric Town for 2–3 hours among electronics shops, game arcades and anime stores. The area gets livelier toward midday, so browse at your own pace rather than trying to cover every block. For a quieter change of scene, walk about 10 minutes south to 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan, a collection of craft and design shops tucked beneath the railway arches. Many shops generally open around 11 am and close around 7 pm; individual hours vary.
Continue on foot or take a short train ride to Ueno Park for an hour among its broad paths and leafy museum grounds; the park itself is free, though museums charge admission and often close in the late afternoon. Then take the JR Yamanote Line from Ueno to Tokyo Station for dinner at T’s Tantan, a fully vegan ramen restaurant, typically around ¥1,000–2,000 per person. Check its current Tokyo Station location and opening hours before setting out, as station outlets and access arrangements can change. Vegan food avoids meat, eggs and dashi, but since your partner needs strict preparation, confirm ingredients and cross-contact directly with staff.
After the 20–25-minute train ride from Akihabara to Shinjuku, leave your bags at the hotel if needed, then head to Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens; allow roughly 30–40 minutes across Tokyo to reach it. This traditional landscape garden is especially lovely in autumn, though the leaves may only just be turning in early November. It’s open 9:00 am–5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:30; admission is about ¥300. Give yourselves 1–1½ hours to follow the paths around the pond and bridges.
Walk about 10 minutes to Tokyo Dome City for a relaxed look around its shops and lively ride area; rides are optional and individually priced, so you can simply enjoy the atmosphere without buying a pass. For lunch, check menus carefully: even vegetable dishes may contain dashi, and “vegetarian” doesn’t always mean egg-free. Your Indian RTE packets are a useful backup. From here, allow roughly 20–30 minutes to reach Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine grounds are free to visit; the Yūshūkan museum has a separate admission fee (around ¥1,000) and is worth considering if you’re interested in Japan’s military history. Check its current hours before setting off, as the last entry is in the late afternoon.
Head back to Shinjuku Golden Gai for a wander through its tiny lantern-lit lanes; arriving around dusk lets you see the neighborhood come alive without needing to make a late night of it. Many venues are very small bars with a cover charge, and some are intended for drinking rather than dining, so look for a welcoming café or bar and check the door or menu before sitting down. It’s perfectly fine to browse for 45 minutes and leave if nowhere feels like a fit.
If your flight timing allows, take a gentle 30-minute stroll through Shinjuku Chūō Park in Nishi-Shinjuku. It’s a pleasant pocket of greenery among the office towers, and a good chance to stretch your legs before the journey. Then stop by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for its observation decks only if you haven’t visited before and have time: admission is free, but opening hours and access can vary, so check the current visitor information and allow for possible queues. Keep your luggage at the hotel or in station lockers while you’re out.
For a fully vegan meal, AIN SOPH. Journey Shinjuku is a convenient option if its opening hours line up with your departure; budget roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Confirm the day’s hours before heading over, and allow time to return for your bags. If the timing is tight, use the RTE food you brought rather than risking a rushed meal—especially as strict vegetarian meals without egg or dashi can take extra checking in Japan.
From Shinjuku, allow roughly 1–1½ hours by rail to Haneda Airport or 1½–2 hours to Narita Airport, depending on your terminal, route and connections. Check the airport and terminal on your ticket, then use a route planner on the day; for Narita, the Narita Express is a straightforward option from Shinjuku, while Haneda is usually reached via rail connections. Leave generously for airport check-in and security, and keep passports, tickets and any last snacks easy to reach.
No packing list attached yet.