Use Fukushima Station as your first stop to drop your bags and reset after the international journey. The airport-to-city transfer depends on where you land, so keep this part of the day deliberately loose; if you arrive via Tokyo, allow several hours for the airport transfer, shinkansen journey and hotel check-in. If you reach the station later in the day, ask your hotel to hold your bags and be ready to shorten the outings rather than rush them.
If you have the energy and arrive in time, take a taxi or local bus to the Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art in Morinita. It’s a calm introduction to the region, with views toward the Azuma mountains; allow about 1–1½ hours. Typical hours are 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., but check the museum’s calendar before setting out: it usually closes on Mondays, and holiday-week schedules can shift the closing day. Then continue by taxi to Hanamiyama Park in Watari for a gentle hillside walk and winter views. January is well outside blossom season, and seasonal buses may not be running, so confirm access locally and arrange a taxi back rather than relying on a return bus.
Return to Fukushima Station for dinner at a central restaurant that has confirmed a fully vegan meal in advance; allow roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Vegan options can be limited, so contact the restaurant before you go and specify no meat, fish, bonito broth, dairy or egg—“vegetarian” dishes in Japan often use fish stock. Your hotel can help call and confirm. If the journey has left you tired, make dinner the priority and keep the park visit especially short.
Start at Fukushima Inari Shrine, a peaceful central stop with vermilion gates and a compact grounds that take about 45 minutes to explore; entry is free. Then walk or take a short taxi to Fukushima City Old-Saito Residence in Oyamacho. Allow 45–60 minutes to see the preserved merchant home; it generally opens during daytime hours, but check its schedule before setting out. Admission is modest, usually around ¥200. The January air can be sharp, so dress warmly for the shrine grounds and the walk.
Head to Iizaka Onsen on the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line from the city centre; the ride takes roughly 25 minutes, then allow a little time to walk around the town. Set aside 2–3 hours for the old streets and, if you fancy a soak, a public bath such as Sabakoyu. These baths are simple, traditional and often very hot; bathing access and hours can change, so check locally and bring a small towel. Continue to Kyu Horikiri-tei, a restored merchant residence close to the onsen district. It is usually free to enter and takes around 45 minutes; check the day’s opening hours before you go.
Return to central Fukushima for your vegan-friendly dinner. Arrange a reservation at a restaurant near Fukushima Station and clearly request a fully vegan meal—no fish stock or bonito, meat, eggs, or dairy; dashi can turn an otherwise vegetable-based dish non-vegan. Expect roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person, depending on the meal. Calling ahead is wise: dedicated vegan choices can be limited, especially on a winter Tuesday evening.
Allow 2–3 hours door to door for the move from Fukushima, including getting to the station, your train journey, and dropping luggage at your Tokyo hotel. Once you’re at Tokyo Station, spend about 45 minutes admiring the restored red-brick Marunouchi building and getting your bearings; the station is large, so leave a little time to navigate between exits.
Walk to the Imperial Palace East Gardens for a 1–1.5-hour wander through the former Edo Castle grounds. Admission is free, but hours vary by season; check the Imperial Household Agency’s schedule before setting out. The gardens are generally closed on Mondays and Fridays, so Wednesday is a good day to visit.
Return toward Marunouchi Naka-dori, an elegant avenue of boutiques, public art, and cafés. Give yourself around 45 minutes to browse, then head back into Tokyo Station for vegan ramen at T’s Tantan—budget roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person. Check the station’s current branch details before you go; it may be inside the ticket gates, so you could need a valid station ticket or to enter the gates from your platform.
Start at Nezu Shrine around 8:30, when the grounds are peaceful and the vermilion torii tunnel is especially atmospheric. Allow about an hour; the grounds are free to enter and generally open from early morning until late afternoon. From there, walk roughly 20 minutes or take a short taxi to Yanaka Ginza. Shops usually get going around 10:00, though hours vary, so browse the little storefronts and look for a snack once things open. Vegan options can be limited: check ingredients carefully, especially for dashi, egg and milk.
From Yanaka Ginza, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. Give yourself 2–3 hours for the galleries; general admission is around ¥1,000 for adults, but check the current exhibitions, ticket details and closing time before you go. Then stretch your legs on the paths around Ueno Park for about 45 minutes. The museum is typically open until 17:00 and closed Mondays; Thursday is usually a good day to visit, but confirm the day’s hours and any exhibition-specific arrangements.
Head from Ueno to Shinjuku by JR train or Tokyo Metro, allowing around 25–35 minutes including station walks. Finish at Vegan Gyoza Yu for plant-based gyoza and other vegan dishes; budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check its current opening hours and whether reservations are needed before setting out, as restaurant schedules can change.
Arrive at Hamarikyu Gardens soon after its usual 9:00 opening; allow about 1½ hours to stroll the tidal ponds, old pine trees and teahouse paths. Admission is typically around ¥300, and the garden usually closes at 17:00, with last entry at 16:30—check the current hours before you set out. From the Shiodome side, take the Yurikamome toward Toyosu or use a taxi; allow roughly 25–35 minutes to reach teamLab Planets TOKYO. Timed tickets are generally essential, so book ahead and leave a little margin for entry queues; the visit itself takes about 1½–2 hours.
Browse Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai after teamLab, allowing an hour or so for its market-style food stalls and bathhouse complex. It’s a lively place to look around, but vegan dishes can be limited and broths or sauces may contain fish, so ask staff about ingredients rather than relying on a dish’s name. Then head to Odaiba Seaside Park—the Yurikamome makes the trip scenic, or a taxi is convenient if you’re tired. Take an easy hour-long winter walk along the bay: it’s lovely for skyline and Rainbow Bridge views, but the water is far too cold for swimming.
From Odaiba, allow around 40–60 minutes by transit to Ain Soph. Soar in Ikebukuro; the route typically involves the Yurikamome and a transfer, so check live service and allow extra time at rush hour. Set aside about ¥2,000–4,000 per person for a fully vegan dinner. Restaurant hours and reservations can change, so confirm that Ain Soph. Soar is open on your date before making the cross-city trip.
Allow 2–3 hours door to door from your Tokyo hotel for the train, station transfers and bag drop in Atami. Head first to Atami Sun Beach for a brisk, roughly 45-minute walk along the waterfront; January is chilly and not swimming weather, so bring a windproof layer. From the beach, a short taxi ride or an uphill walk takes you to Kiunkaku in Showa-cho, a richly detailed historic villa with a garden. Set aside 1–1½ hours, and check its current opening arrangements before setting out.
Take a taxi to Atami Plum Garden in Baiencho—its hillside paths are a welcome change of pace after the waterfront. Allow 1–1½ hours; early blossoms are possible in January, but flowering depends on the year. Garden hours and any seasonal admission fee can vary, so check before visiting. Finish at Organic Cafe Atelier for a relaxed meal; budget about ¥1,500–3,000 per person and contact the cafe ahead of time to confirm a fully vegan dish and ingredients. Since the cafe’s hours and vegan options may change, confirm both before building your afternoon around it.
Allow 2½–3½ hours door to door to reach Nagoya, check in and leave your bags. Head to Atsuta Jingu once settled; its shaded shrine grounds are free to enter and take around 1–1½ hours to explore. The main grounds are generally open from early morning, but individual facilities have their own hours. Keep voices low and follow the customary rinse-and-bow etiquette if you choose to pray.
Stay in Atsuta for Shirotori Garden, a tranquil Japanese landscape garden about a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride away. Allow roughly an hour; opening days and seasonal hours can vary, so check before setting out. Admission is usually around ¥300. From there, take the subway or a taxi to Osu Kannon—allow about 25–35 minutes by public transport—and spend around 1½ hours at the temple and wandering the covered Osu shopping arcades. The temple grounds are free; shops and stalls vary in hours, and Sunday can be lively.
Finish at Cafe Chaihona, a short stroll through Osu’s lanes. Budget about ¥1,000–2,000 per person, and ask staff to confirm vegan ingredients and substitutions rather than assuming a dish is plant-based; Japanese stocks and sauces may contain fish. Leave a little time to browse the arcades before dinner, and check the café’s current opening hours before making it your final stop.
Allow 2–3 hours door to door to travel from Nagoya, reach your Kyoto hotel and leave your luggage; keep the first stop relaxed rather than trying to catch an early opening. Head to Nishiki Market for about 1–1½ hours among the food counters and craft stalls. Many shops open around 10:00 and close in the late afternoon, but hours vary. It’s a lively place to browse, though fish stock, bonito and dashi turn up in many dishes—ask about ingredients, and treat the market mainly as a look-around if you want to avoid uncertain foods.
Continue to Nijo Castle for roughly 1½–2 hours exploring the shogun residence and gardens. It’s generally open during daytime hours and closed on Tuesdays; check the official schedule and last entry before setting out. From there, allow around 20–30 minutes by taxi or a longer public-transit ride to Kyoto Imperial Palace. The surrounding Kyoto Gyoen park is a pleasant walk, but palace access and tours have specific arrangements, and the palace itself is generally closed on Mondays—so on this Monday, plan on the park and exterior rather than entry to the palace buildings.
Finish at TowZen for a dedicated vegan meal; budget about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. It’s outside the central sights, so allow extra time to reach it by taxi or public transit, and check its current Monday hours and reserve if possible. Confirm the meal is fully vegan when ordering, especially if you have strict requirements about broth or cross-contact.
Allow 1½–2½ hours door to door for the move from Kyoto, getting across Osaka and leaving your bags at the hotel. Then head to Osaka Castle in Chuo. Give the grounds and museum about two hours; the park is free, while the main tower museum typically costs around ¥1,200. The tower can draw queues, so treat its interior as optional if the wait is long. The museum generally opens 9:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30, but check current hours before you go.
Walk about 15 minutes to Osaka Museum of History, opposite the castle park, and allow 1½–2 hours for its city-focused exhibits and excellent views back toward the castle. It usually opens 9:30–17:00 and is closed on Tuesdays, so today’s Tuesday schedule is a snag: the museum is generally shut. Keep the planned stop in mind, but don’t count on getting inside; check its official calendar for any exceptional opening before setting out. If it is closed, enjoy a slower walk around the castle district rather than trying to force in another museum.
Take the subway toward Namba, then walk to Namba Yasaka Shrine for 30–45 minutes; its enormous lion-head prayer hall is especially striking in the late afternoon. The grounds are free and usually open during daylight hours. From there, allow roughly 15–20 minutes by subway or taxi to Paprika Shokudo Vegan in Shinsaibashi for an all-vegan dinner—budget about ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Check current service hours and reserve if possible, particularly for a specific dinner time.
Allow 4–5 hours door to door to reach Tottori, including getting to the station, the train, and leaving your bags at the hotel. Check the day’s timetable and reserve the Super Hakuto ahead; an early departure matters here, as winter daylight is short. From Tottori Station, take a local bus toward Tottori Sand Dunes—typically around 20 minutes, though check the current schedule before setting out.
Give Tottori Sand Dunes 1½–2 hours to wander the ridges and look out to the winter Sea of Japan. It’s exposed and often windy, so bring a warm layer and shoes you don’t mind getting sandy. The neighboring Sand Museum is an easy walk away; allow another hour or so, but confirm that the current exhibition is running on your date, as opening periods can be seasonal. If the train runs late or the museum is between exhibitions, prioritize the dunes before sunset.
Head back toward central Tottori for Tottori Castle Ruins and Jinpukaku. Allow about 1½ hours for the grounds and villa, and check Jinpukaku’s hours and access before you go; it generally closes in the late afternoon, so this stop may need to come before the museum if arrival timing requires it. Finish near Tottori Station with a fully vegan meal: call a nearby restaurant in advance and specifically ask about fish-based dashi, which is common even in vegetable dishes. Budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person; HappyCow can help identify current options, but confirm directly before relying on a listing.
Allow 4½–5½ hours door to door from Tottori for the train connections, station access and dropping your bags. Check the day’s timetable and reserve your seats in advance; at Okayama, leave a comfortable buffer to change trains. With a morning departure, aim to reach Ritsurin Garden early enough to enjoy it without rushing. The garden generally opens from around 7:00 in winter and admission is about ¥410; allow 1½–2 hours for its ponds, pine trees and carefully framed views.
From Ritsurin Garden, take a taxi or local train toward central Takamatsu, then wander Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Street for about an hour. Browse the covered arcade’s shops and cafés, and pause for a drink if you need a warm-up. Continue toward Takamatsu Symbol Tower in Sunport—roughly a 15–20-minute walk from the arcade, or a short taxi ride. Allow around 45 minutes for the harbor and city views; observation areas and opening hours can vary, so check access on the day.
Finish near the station at a vegan-friendly restaurant in Sunport or central Takamatsu. Budget about ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and contact the restaurant ahead if possible: Japanese broths often contain fish-based dashi, so confirm that the meal is vegan and has no dashi or egg. If the rail journey runs late, keep the garden visit to its highlights rather than trying to squeeze in every stop; winter daylight fades early.
Allow 3–4 hours door to door from Takamatsu for the train, station access, luggage and hotel check-in; verify the connection times and leave bags if your room isn’t ready. Head to Matsuyama Castle while you still have daylight. The climb and castle grounds take about 1½–2 hours; the ropeway or chairlift saves the steepest part, but allow extra time for queues. The ropeway, chairlift and castle have separate charges, so check current prices and winter hours before setting out.
Walk or take a short tram or taxi down to Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum in Okaido. Its exhibits explore Matsuyama’s history and literary connections; allow 1–1½ hours, and check the day’s closing time before you go. Then take the tram toward Dogo for Dogo Onsen Honkan and a wander through the historic streets nearby. Give this stop 1–2 hours: admire the distinctive bathhouse, or bathe if access is available. Bathing options, entry procedures and any reservation requirements can change, so check ahead rather than counting on a particular slot.
Return by tram to Okaido for a vegan meal. Arrange a fully vegan dinner in advance with a central restaurant or ask your hotel concierge to confirm a suitable venue and ingredients; allow roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and be explicit about avoiding fish stock, bonito flakes and dairy. Matsuyama’s trams make it easy to link Okaido and Dogo without a taxi; keep a little flexibility in the evening in case the onsen is busy or dinner needs a confirmed booking.
Take the planned rail route via Okayama and allow 5–6 hours door to door for the trains, connection, station access and dropping your bags at the hotel. Check the connection before you set out and leave a comfortable transfer buffer at Okayama. With an early start, aim to reach central Fukuoka around midday; keep your luggage at the hotel or a station locker so you can explore comfortably.
Start at Kushida Shrine in Hakata, a lively, central shrine closely tied to the city’s festivals; allow about 45 minutes. Its grounds are generally accessible from early morning into the evening, though facilities and seasonal arrangements can vary. From there, walk about 5–10 minutes to the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum in Gion. Set aside an hour for its exhibits on traditional Hakata life and crafts; it typically closes in the early evening, so check the current hours and make this your priority if your train arrives later than expected. Admission is usually a few hundred yen.
Walk around 10–15 minutes to Canal City Hakata for an easy browse through its shops and entertainment spaces; allow 1–1½ hours, and check the directory for current events or performances. Finish at Mochi Mochi Vegan Ramen for a fully vegan bowl—budget roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person. Confirm its current location and opening hours before heading over, as restaurant schedules can change.
Start with an easy loop around Ohori Park (about 1–1½ hours). The paths circle a broad lake, with plenty of benches for a slow start; the park is free and open throughout the day. From there, walk about 10 minutes to Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park. Allow roughly an hour for the stone ramparts and city views. The grounds are free to explore, though winter daylight is short, so keep moving if you want time for the museum and coast.
Head back toward Fukuoka Art Museum, set beside the park. Allow 1½–2 hours for its Japanese and international collections; check the museum’s current hours, exhibition details and weekly closure before setting out, as admission and special exhibitions can vary. Then take a taxi or local bus to Momochi Seaside Park (around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic) for a one-hour waterfront stroll. January is brisk and breezy here—bring a warm layer, and treat this as a beach walk rather than swimming time.
Finish at Chabuton Fukuoka Tenjin in Tenjin, reached from Momochi by bus or taxi; allow around 20–30 minutes. Budget roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person, but don’t assume the ramen is vegan: ask staff to confirm both the broth and toppings, including any animal-derived ingredients, and whether they can accommodate a fully vegan bowl. If they can’t, choose a simple plant-based option only after checking ingredients carefully. The day involves plenty of walking, so a taxi between the waterfront and Tenjin is a comfortable way to save your legs.
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