Allow roughly 16–20 hours door-to-door from Edinburgh to your Tokyo hotel, including the flight connection, immigration, baggage collection and airport transfer. From Haneda Airport, central Tokyo is often 30–60 minutes away; from Narita Airport, allow roughly 75–100 minutes. Use the airport limousine bus, train or a pre-booked taxi depending on your arrival terminal, luggage and energy levels. Keep the evening flexible, as immigration queues, delayed baggage and hotel check-in can easily push sightseeing later than expected.
If you arrive early enough and the weather is dry, walk through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for around 1½ hours. Its broad paths, ponds and landscaped sections are ideal for stretching your legs without committing to a demanding sightseeing schedule. Check the official seasonal opening information before travelling, as it normally closes in the late afternoon and has a regular weekly closure day.
For wet weather, skip the garden and stay around Shinjuku Station, where underground passages and department stores provide shelter between short walks. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good alternative if its observation facilities are open: the views are free, although visibility may be limited in heavy rain and queues or operating arrangements can change. Allow extra time for lifts and security, and treat this as optional after the long journey.
If the weather is only showery, take a brief look at Omoide Yokocho, the atmospheric narrow lanes beside Shinjuku Station. They are compact, busy and often smoky, so in persistent rain it is perfectly reasonable to skip the wander and go straight to dinner. From the garden or station area, use a short walk, one local train hop or a taxi rather than adding unnecessary outdoor time.
For dinner, choose a casual Shinjuku restaurant with a varied menu: Mum should confirm that vegetarian dishes contain no meat or fish stock, while the adult children can order meat or seafood. Japanese menus may use hidden dashi broth, so showing a written request such as “vegetarian, no meat or fish” is useful. Budget approximately ¥1,500–3,500 per person, depending on whether you choose a casual set meal, izakaya-style restaurant or a more substantial dinner. Check the current opening hours and booking policy on the day, then return directly to the hotel and keep the evening quiet before tomorrow’s Shibuya day.
Start at Meiji Jingu, reached via Harajuku Station or Meiji-jingumae Station. Allow about 1–1½ hours for the forest approach, shrine buildings and a quiet pause away from the city; admission is free. In light rain, the broad tree cover makes this manageable, but wear shoes with good grip because the gravel paths can become slippery. If there is persistent heavy rain, shorten the visit to the main buildings and use the saved time indoors later.
Continue to Takeshita Street for colourful youth fashion, character goods and anime-pop browsing. Allow about an hour, although the narrow, busy street is not especially pleasant in heavy rain. Vegetarian snacks are available, but Mum should check fillings, sauces and broths carefully, as savoury items may contain meat or fish. The adult children can choose from the wider range of street food if they wish.
Take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda or Ginza Line towards Aoyama, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes including walking and any transfer, then spend around two hours at the Nezu Museum. This is the day’s strongest wet-weather choice: the galleries provide substantial indoor time, while the garden can be added if the rain eases. Check the 2027 exhibition calendar and opening information before travelling; admission is commonly around ¥1,500–2,000, and temporary closures or special exhibitions can affect the visit.
Afterwards, allow time to wander around Aoyama if conditions are dry or showery. In heavy rain, skip the outdoor wandering and travel directly towards Shibuya by subway or taxi. Keep an umbrella or light waterproof layer handy, and allow extra time for crowded pavements and slower crossings.
Visit Shibuya Scramble Crossing for about an hour. In dry weather, experience it from street level before finding an upper-floor café or viewpoint; in wet weather, go straight to a covered viewing spot in or around the station and nearby department stores. Some observation venues require timed admission or advance booking, so check availability rather than relying on walk-in entry. If the rain becomes disruptive, the indoor department stores, character shops and arcades around Shibuya are an easy substitute.
For dinner, choose a mixed-menu Japanese restaurant in Shibuya where Mum can have a clearly vegetarian dish while the adult children order meat or fish. Budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person, depending on the restaurant and the children’s choices. Ask staff to confirm whether vegetarian dishes contain dashi, bonito, meat-based stock or shared cooking oil; Japanese “vegetable” dishes are not always fully vegetarian. Checking the current opening hours and booking where possible is sensible, especially for a small restaurant.
Start at teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu, allowing about two hours for the immersive rooms. Reserve a timed ticket in advance and arrive 20–30 minutes early; entry depends on the booked slot. The barefoot water sections and uneven floors can be awkward, so wear trousers that roll up easily and avoid large luggage. From central Tokyo, allow roughly 30–45 minutes door-to-door via Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Line, or via the Yurikamome to Shin-Toyosu Station.
Afterwards, spend about an hour at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai. Mum should ask vendors specifically about fish stock, bonito flakes, oyster sauce and dashi, while the adult children can choose more freely from the seafood, meat and snack stalls. Vegetarian options vary by vendor, so this works best as a flexible tasting stop rather than one fixed group meal. Allow approximately ¥1,000–2,000 per person for a casual lunch or snacks, depending on what each person chooses.
In dry or light weather, walk through Toyosu Park for around 45–60 minutes, following the waterfront and taking a relaxed break. In heavy rain, replace it with Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu, an indoor shopping and dining complex nearby. Allow roughly 10–15 minutes between the two areas on foot; the shopping centre also gives everyone more choice if the group wants different food or coffee.
Continue to Tsukiji Outer Market by the Yurakucho Line and Hibiya Line, allowing around 20–30 minutes including the transfer and walking. Spend 1–1½ hours exploring the food lanes and shops. Mum should check for bonito-based broth, fish-derived seasoning and hidden seafood ingredients, while the adult children can sample the market’s broader offerings. Much of the market is exposed, and individual stalls may close earlier or change service in poor weather, so shorten this stop if rain becomes persistent.
Travel from Tsukiji to Akihabara in roughly 20–25 minutes by the Hibiya Line and a short walk. Komaki Shokudo Kamakura is a good choice for Mum because its Japanese set meals are vegan; expect approximately ¥1,500–2,500 per person. As it is plant-based, the adult children may prefer to eat there as well or choose a separate meat or seafood dinner at another nearby restaurant—check current opening hours and availability before committing, particularly if arriving later.
After dinner, keep the evening flexible: browse Akihabara’s electronics, manga and anime shops, with plenty of indoor options if the weather is poor. In dry weather, there is also time for a gentle wander around Kanda Myojin and the quieter side streets.
Begin around 10:00 at Akihabara Electric Town, allowing about two hours for the main Chuo-dori area and the side streets around Suehirocho. The electronics shops, arcades and anime stores are mostly indoors, making this a useful option in wet weather. Popular shops may involve queues, and a Suica or PASMO card will make short journeys easier.
Continue to Animate Akihabara for about an hour. It is a fully indoor stop with several floors of manga, character goods and current anime releases. The children may want extra time in the arcades or larger specialist shops, while Mum can take a café break or browse at a gentler pace if the group wants to split briefly.
Walk or take the JR Yamanote Line one stop to Okachimachi for 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN, a covered collection of small craft, jewellery, stationery and design studios beneath the railway. Individual studios do not necessarily share the same opening pattern, so check the official listing beforehand. If some are closed, treat the railway arcade as a short browse and continue to Ueno rather than waiting.
Have lunch around Okachimachi or Ueno, choosing a casual restaurant where Mum can request a vegetarian dish and the others can order meat or fish. Allow 2–2½ hours at Tokyo National Museum, concentrating on the Japanese Gallery and one or two additional buildings rather than trying to see the entire complex. Standard admission is commonly around ¥1,000 per adult, with special exhibitions costing extra; check the official website for current gallery schedules and ticket arrangements.
If the weather is dry, take a short walk through Ueno Park before dinner. In heavy rain, skip the park and remain longer in the museum or go directly to the station. For a reliably vegetarian meal, Mum can eat at T’s Tantan ecute Ueno, whose menu is entirely vegan and generally costs about ¥1,000–1,800 per person.
The adult children do not need to eat vegan: they can choose a nearby restaurant in or around Ueno Station offering meat or fish, then meet Mum afterwards at the station or hotel. Because T’s Tantan ecute Ueno is within the station complex, check whether the entrance requires access through the JR ticketed area; station staff can direct you to the correct gate. Keep the evening flexible, as this arrangement avoids making the whole group follow one menu while still giving Mum a straightforward, clearly vegetarian option.
Begin at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for the planned Tai Chi session, allowing about an hour. A pre-arranged class is the safest option, since public sessions are not guaranteed every day; check the organiser’s schedule and the garden’s opening arrangements nearer October 2027. If rain is forecast, treat Tai Chi as weather-dependent rather than making the journey specifically for it. The garden normally charges a modest admission fee, around ¥500, and Shinjuku-sanchome Station is the most convenient access point.
If Tai Chi is cancelled, go directly to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories after breakfast. They are free, although security queues may take 10–20 minutes and tower availability can vary, so check the official schedule before leaving. The observatories are reached easily from Tochomae Station and keep the morning largely indoors.
In dry or lightly showery weather, travel from Tochomae Station to Iidabashi Station on the Toei Oedo Line and spend roughly 1–1½ hours around Kagurazaka. Explore Kagurazaka-dori, the narrow lanes around Hyogo-yokocho, and the area’s traditional-meets-French atmosphere. Choose a restaurant or café with a clearly marked vegetarian dish for Mum and meat or seafood options for the other two; allow approximately ¥1,000–2,500 per person for lunch, depending on whether you choose a light meal or a full set menu.
In heavy rain, keep the walk short and use a café or covered shopfronts instead, since some of the stone lanes can be slippery. Continue by taxi or train towards Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, allowing about 20–30 minutes including walking. Visit for around 1½ hours if the weather is comfortable; admission is usually around ¥300. For persistent rain, substitute the garden with the Printing Museum, Tokyo, an indoor museum near Korakuen Station. Allow about 1–1½ hours and check its current opening days and exhibition schedule, as museum closures can be weekday-specific.
Finish around Omotesando, travelling from Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi Line and changing as needed, or taking a taxi if everyone is tired. Rather than choosing a fully vegetarian restaurant, reserve a well-reviewed Japanese, international or izakaya-style restaurant in the area that can provide a substantial vegetarian main dish for Mum alongside meat or seafood dishes for the adult children. Confirm when booking that the vegetarian meal contains no meat or fish stock if that is important; budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person.
Allow time for a slow wander around the department stores, galleries and covered sections near Omotesando Station. Comfortable shoes with good grip, compact umbrellas and a light waterproof layer will make the outdoor portions easier. If the group is hungry at different times, Omotesando’s department-store food halls are a practical fallback, with separate vegetarian, noodle, sushi and meat options rather than requiring everyone to order from the same menu.
Begin in Asakusa around 08:00, when the historic district is at its calmest. Wander through the older lanes around the temple precinct at an easy pace, allowing time for photographs and breaks. The public temple grounds are free; offerings and fortune slips, if desired, generally cost a few hundred yen. If rain is heavy, shorten the outdoor section and spend longer in the covered arcades.
Continue to Hoppy Street and the neighbouring arcades for about an hour. This is a good browsing stop, but many local dishes use meat, fish or dashi, so it is better not to rely on it for your mum’s meal. The adult children can sample suitable snacks or drinks if they wish; budget roughly ¥500–1,000 per person for a light stop.
Walk approximately 10–15 minutes to the Kappabashi kitchenware district. Browse ceramics, chopsticks, knives, restaurant signs and the district’s famously realistic food models. The road is not completely covered, so bring compact umbrellas and use the shops as rain breaks. Individual shop hours vary, particularly on weekends, so check current listings before setting out.
For lunch, choose a mixed-menu café or restaurant in the wider Asakusa area rather than a strictly vegetarian venue. Your mum should ask for a vegetable dish made without fish-based dashi, bonito flakes, meat stock or fish sauce; the other two can order meat or seafood if available. Allow approximately ¥1,200–2,500 per person for a casual lunch. Japanese menus do not always make stock ingredients obvious, so translation support on a phone is useful.
If the weather is dry or only lightly wet, walk 15–20 minutes towards the Sumida riverside for skyline views and a slower pause. In steady rain, use the Sumida Hokusai Museum instead, checking its current opening hours and exhibition admission before travelling. Allow roughly ¥400–600 per person for admission, subject to the exhibition; a taxi from Asakusa may cost approximately ¥1,000–1,500 depending on traffic.
Reserve a private room at Karaoke Kan Asakusa for around two hours, ideally in advance for Saturday evening. Budget approximately ¥1,500–3,500 per person, with weekend and drink-plan prices often higher. Finish with dinner nearby, choosing a restaurant with both a reliable vegetarian main course and broader options for the other two. Confirm that your mum’s dish is free from fish stock and meat toppings; budget around ¥2,000–3,500 per person. A short taxi back to your accommodation is sensible if the evening is wet or late.
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, ideally departing around 09:00–10:00. The train takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, but allow roughly four hours door-to-door for getting to the station, finding the Shinkansen gates, boarding with luggage and transferring from Kyoto Station to your hotel. Reserve three seats together through SmartEX when bookings open; the fare is approximately ¥14,000 per adult, before local transport or a taxi to the hotel.
On arrival, leave bags at the hotel or use luggage storage at Kyoto Station. If rain is heavy, take a taxi for the first sightseeing stop rather than managing wet pavements with luggage. Otherwise, Nishiki Market is about 20 minutes by subway and on foot, or roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.
Spend around 1½ hours at Nishiki Market, where Mum can look for yuba, tofu, vegetable sushi, pickles and sesame-based snacks while the adult children can sample seafood, meat skewers or other non-vegetarian specialities. Check ingredients carefully: apparently vegetarian items may contain fish stock or bonito, and each stall uses its own preparation methods. The covered roof helps in wet weather, although the narrow market can be crowded and slippery near the entrances.
In dry or manageable weather, walk about 15 minutes east to Kennin-ji and allow 1½ hours for its gardens and screen paintings. If rain is persistent, replace it with the Kyoto International Manga Museum, reached from Nishiki in roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi or subway. Check the official calendar before travelling, since closure days and exhibitions can change.
If the weather clears, take a gentle hour-long walk through Gion, concentrating on public streets around Hanamikoji and Shirakawa. Keep voices low, do not photograph geisha or maiko without permission, and avoid blocking entrances. In heavy rain, shorten this to a brief look from a taxi or return to the hotel for a rest.
For dinner, stay near Kyoto Station and choose a mixed-menu Japanese restaurant or hotel dining room rather than an exclusively vegetarian venue. Mum should ask specifically for a vegetarian dish without fish stock, bonito or meat, while the adult children can order meat or fish; showing a written Japanese dietary note is helpful. Allow approximately ¥2,000–4,500 per person, and check current hours and reservation requirements. From Gion, a taxi may take 15–25 minutes in traffic; public transport takes roughly 25–35 minutes.
Begin at Kiyomizu-dera close to opening time, when the temple approach is generally quieter. Allow around two hours for the wooden stage, pagoda views and temple buildings. The route from Gojozaka is uphill and can be tiring, particularly for your mum; a taxi to the upper drop-off area is worthwhile, especially with umbrellas or slippery conditions. Admission is commonly around ¥400–¥500, but check the official website nearer the trip for current fees and any special entry arrangements.
In dry or lightly rainy weather, continue downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, allowing about 1–1½ hours for browsing. In persistent rain, shorten the lane walk and spend more time in the shops, cafés and covered temple buildings. For lunch, choose a Japanese restaurant or café offering both vegetarian dishes and meat or fish options. Ask whether the vegetarian dish contains dashi, bonito flakes or other fish-based ingredients; allow roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person for a casual lunch.
Visit Kodai-ji after lunch, allowing about 1½ hours for the temple buildings, gardens and bamboo grove. Much of the garden route is outdoors, so in wet weather prioritise the interiors and take care on the stone paths. If the rain becomes heavy, replace the garden visit—or add a warm indoor stop—with the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design in Okazaki, where you can browse traditional Kyoto textiles, ceramics, lacquerware and other crafts. Check the museum’s current opening arrangements before travelling, as regular closing days and special closures can change.
In good weather, stroll through Maruyama Park for 30–45 minutes before continuing towards Gion. In heavy rain, skip the park and use a short taxi ride between the Higashiyama sights and dinner; walking distances are manageable but the paving becomes slippery. Kyoto buses can be slow in this area, so taxis are often practical for three people, particularly when sharing the fare.
Have dinner at a vegetarian-friendly Japanese restaurant in Gion where the menu also includes meat or fish for the other two adults. Reserve ahead and explain clearly that one diner is vegetarian while the other two are not. Ask whether the kitchen can provide a genuinely vegetarian dish without fish-based dashi, bonito flakes, oyster sauce or meat stock; budget approximately ¥3,000–¥8,000 per person depending on the restaurant and whether you choose à la carte dishes or a set menu.
After dinner, Gion-Shijo Station is a convenient onward transport point. If the weather is poor or everyone is tired, take a taxi rather than walking the full way. Keep the afternoon flexible so you have room for browsing, warming up in a café and adjusting the outdoor stops to the actual rain.
After arriving in Nara, head towards Todai-ji and begin with the Great Buddha Hall, which provides a substantial indoor visit and avoids making the first part of the day too dependent on the weather. Allow around 1½–2 hours, including the nearby temple buildings. Admission is typically around ¥800, but check the official schedule and current fee closer to the visit.
Continue to the Nara National Museum, directly nearby, if rain is persistent or if your mum would prefer more indoor time. Its Buddhist art collections and galleries make it the best wet-weather alternative; allow about 1½ hours and check its opening calendar and any special-exhibition charges in advance.
When conditions are dry or only lightly wet, take a short walk through Nara Park to see the deer. Buy crackers only from authorised sellers and stop feeding once they are finished. Paths can become slippery in rain, and a taxi is sensible for the short transfer to Kasuga Taisha if the woodland approach feels too tiring. Keep this shrine optional rather than rushing it.
For lunch in or near Naramachi, choose a restaurant where Mum can have a clearly vegetarian set meal, vegetable sushi, noodles or tofu-based dishes, while the other two can order meat or fish from the regular menu. Japanese restaurants often use shared broth or sauces, so ask staff to confirm that the vegetarian dish does not contain fish stock. Allow roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person; smaller traditional restaurants may close between services, so checking availability or reserving ahead is worthwhile.
Spend the remaining time in Naramachi, browsing traditional machiya streets, craft shops and small galleries. In wet weather, shorten the outdoor wandering and prioritise indoor stops, or return to the Nara National Museum if you did not visit earlier. Allow about 20–30 minutes to reach the station or your onward transport by bus, taxi or on foot, leaving extra time for crowds and rain. Keep the day flexible: prioritise Todai-ji, the museum and lunch, then add Kasuga Taisha only if everyone still has the energy.
After arriving from Nara, head to Arashiyama and begin with Arashiyama Bamboo Grove if the weather is dry or only lightly wet. Continue to Tenryu-ji, allowing time for both the temple buildings and garden; admission is generally around ¥500–800 depending on the areas visited. Start early where possible, as the bamboo path and temple approaches become busy later in the morning.
If the ground is dry, continue uphill to Okochi Sanso Garden for its landscaped paths and views, then stroll towards Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. These outdoor stops are optional rather than essential in persistent rain. For lunch, choose a tofu, yuba or vegetable set meal in Arashiyama for mum, while the other two can order meat or fish dishes at a restaurant offering mixed menus; allow roughly ¥1,200–2,500 per person.
In heavy rain, keep Tenryu-ji as the main outdoor visit and replace the longer walks with the Kyoto International Manga Museum. It is reached from Arashiyama towards central Kyoto in roughly 35–50 minutes by train and walking, depending on the connection; allow about ¥1,000–1,500 for admission and check its current opening days before travelling. Alternatively, choose the Kyoto Railway Museum near Umekoji, which usually needs around two hours and costs roughly ¥1,200–1,500.
The Randen Arashiyama Station footbath is a pleasant short stop if it is operating and the weather is mild, but skip it in cold or heavy rain. Do not try to fit both museums into the day; one substantial indoor attraction leaves time for lunch, transfers and a slower pace.
Return to central Kyoto for dinner at Mumokuteki Café, which should suit mum with vegetarian and vegan dishes. The adult children can either choose non-vegetarian options where available or eat at a nearby mixed-menu restaurant if they want meat or fish; keeping dinner flexible is easier than requiring one menu to suit everyone. Expect around ¥1,500–2,500 per person at the café, with a possible wait during the evening peak.
From Arashiyama, allow roughly 40–50 minutes to reach central Kyoto by train, including walking and a transfer; a taxi is more convenient in heavy rain but costs considerably more. If energy remains, browse the covered sections of Teramachi Shopping Arcade and Shinkyogoku. Comfortable shoes, compact umbrellas and an unhurried plan will make this day much more enjoyable.
After arriving in Hiroshima and leaving your luggage at the hotel, head to Peace Memorial Park by tram or taxi. Allow about 15–25 minutes from central Hiroshima, depending on your hotel and traffic. Begin at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, allowing roughly two hours; it is emotionally demanding, so leave time to pause rather than rushing through the exhibits. Check the official website for the current ticketing arrangements, as timed admission or queues may apply. Admission is usually modest, around ¥200, but allow extra time if you have a reserved entry slot.
In dry weather, walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park afterwards, including the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, Children’s Peace Monument and Peace Flame. The paths are mostly level, although the open riverside areas can feel exposed in wind and rain. Keep the outdoor section shorter in poor weather and use covered pauses where possible.
Have lunch at Nagata-ya, close to the park. Mum should ask specifically for a vegetarian okonomiyaki and confirm that the batter, dashi, toppings and cooking surface contain no meat or seafood. The adult children can order the restaurant’s usual meat or seafood versions, but explain the split requirement clearly before ordering because Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is often cooked on a shared griddle. Expect approximately ¥1,500–2,500 per person and allow 20–40 minutes for a possible queue; an early lunch is sensible.
After lunch, walk to the Atomic Bomb Dome for around 30 minutes if the weather is manageable. In persistent rain, keep the visit brief from the riverside and continue to Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, where you can spend a comfortable hour or more indoors. Admission is commonly in the region of ¥1,500–2,500 for adults, but check the current fee before visiting.
The memorial district makes a full, thoughtful day without adding too many stops. Return to your hotel by tram or taxi; a taxi is worthwhile if the pavement is slippery or Mum is tired. For dinner, choose a restaurant near the hotel where a vegetarian set or vegetable dishes can be confirmed separately from meat and seafood orders, rather than relying on a shared broth or stock.
Leave Hiroshima Station around 07:30–08:00 for Miyajimaguchi, then take the JR ferry to Miyajima. Allow roughly 45–60 minutes each way, including the walk between train and ferry; budget approximately ¥360 per person each way for the combined train and ferry if you are not using a pass. Check tide times before leaving, as the torii at Itsukushima Shrine is most photogenic around high tide. Waterproof shoes are useful, and allow extra time for ferry queues.
Walk first to Itsukushima Shrine, allowing about 1½ hours. Much of the route is sheltered, so light rain need not spoil the visit, although strong wind or very high tides can affect waterfront views. Continue to Daisho-in, where covered temple areas, lanterns and small Buddhist figures make it one of the better Miyajima sights for a damp day. The approach is uphill but manageable at an unhurried pace.
Have lunch around Omotesando Shopping Street. Mum should ask specifically for vegetarian or vegan food and confirm that dishes contain no fish stock, bonito flakes, meat or oyster sauce; the adult children can choose the local seafood, grilled items or other non-vegetarian dishes available nearby. Keeping lunch flexible rather than choosing one fixed restaurant will make it easier to satisfy everyone, with a typical meal costing roughly ¥1,000–2,500 per person.
In dry or showery weather, consider Momijidani Park for an easy walk. If everyone still has energy, the Miyajima Ropeway towards Mount Misen takes roughly 2½ hours including walking, queues and viewpoints, but it is weather-dependent and can stop in strong wind or poor visibility. For persistent rain, skip the ropeway and park and visit Miyajima Aquarium instead, then browse the more sheltered parts of Omotesando Shopping Street. Check current opening arrangements and admission fees before travelling.
Allow at least 1½ hours to return from central Miyajima by ferry and train, and check the final ferry and JR departures before committing to the ropeway. For dinner, choose a restaurant near Hiroshima Station that can provide a clearly vegetarian or vegan dish for Mum while offering meat or seafood for the other two adults. Ask staff to confirm the broth and sauces, since apparently vegetable dishes in Japan may still contain dashi. Allow approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person; booking is sensible because dedicated vegetarian choices can be limited at busy times.
The island involves ferry steps, uneven paving and some uphill walking, so carry a compact umbrella, water and a small towel. If the weather turns genuinely wet, the most comfortable version of the day is Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in, Miyajima Aquarium and the covered shopping street, treating the ropeway as optional rather than essential.
Leave the morning and early afternoon for the separate Hiroshima-to-Tokyo journey, arrival logistics, and transfer to your accommodation. Once checked in, keep this deliberately light: allow time to unpack, recharge, and confirm tomorrow’s airport plan rather than trying to fit in another major sightseeing district.
If you arrive with enough energy, travel to Tokyo Skytree for the observation decks. From central Tokyo, allow roughly 30–45 minutes by train, plus time for station navigation and queues. Observation-deck admission is commonly around ¥2,100–¥3,500 per adult depending on the ticket type and deck; reserve a timed slot in advance, especially for sunset, but leave plenty of flexibility in case the shinkansen or hotel transfer runs late. If the weather is poor or everyone is tired, skip the decks and continue directly to dinner.
After Tokyo Skytree, browse Tokyo Solamachi, directly below the tower. This is a practical choice for a mixed-diet group: your mum should look for clearly marked vegetarian dishes, tofu or vegetable-based meals, while the other two can choose meat or seafood dishes. Ask staff to confirm that vegetarian food contains no meat, fish stock, bonito flakes, or meat-based sauces, as these can be easy to overlook in Japan. Allow roughly ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person for a casual meal, or around ¥3,000–¥5,000 for a more substantial restaurant dinner.
Finish with a short walk around Oshiage before returning to the hotel. Keep luggage, passports, and flight details ready tonight. For tomorrow, allow approximately 1–1.5 hours to reach Haneda or 1.5–2 hours to reach Narita from central Tokyo, plus the airline’s recommended airport check-in time; if the departure is very early, staying near the airport may be worthwhile.
Keep the final morning easy after yesterday’s return from Hiroshima. Have breakfast near your accommodation, pack, and check out according to the hotel’s policy; most hotels can hold your luggage if you have several hours before the flight. Choose a nearby café or restaurant with a clearly vegetarian dish for Mum, while the adult children can order meat or fish if they wish. Allow roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person for a casual final meal.
Travel to Tokyo airport according to the airport shown on your ticket. From central Tokyo, allow roughly 45–90 minutes door to door for Haneda, or about 75–120 minutes for Narita, depending on your starting point, luggage, and train or airport-bus connection. Add extra margin for three travellers and checked bags; the exact route depends on your accommodation and flight time.
Aim to reach the airport around three hours before an international departure. After check-in, security, immigration, and any tax-free procedures, the departure area should offer enough variety for the group: Mum should look for vegetarian or plant-based meals, while the adult children can choose non-vegetarian options separately. Do not schedule another sightseeing stop today; keep the remaining time for shopping, a meal, and boarding.
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