Your flight arrives at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport at around 8:00pm, so keep this as a recovery evening rather than planning sightseeing. Immigration, baggage collection and airport procedures may take 45–90 minutes. From Narita Airport, allow roughly 90 minutes to 2.5 hours to reach a central Tokyo hotel, including the station transfer and check-in; from Haneda Airport, allow about 45–90 minutes door-to-door. The exact time depends on your hotel area, queues and the train you catch.
Use an IC card such as Suica or PASMO if available, or buy the appropriate airport ticket after collecting your luggage. If you are staying somewhere not directly served by a train, a short taxi ride from the nearest station may be worthwhile with bags. Avoid booking a timed attraction tonight: even with an on-time landing, the group may not reach the hotel until approximately 10:00–11:30pm.
After checking in, find a casual restaurant, convenience store or hotel dining option close to the hotel rather than crossing the city. Budget approximately ¥1,000–2,500 per person for a simple meal; vegetarian choices are easiest when you look for rice, noodles, tofu or vegetable dishes and confirm whether fish stock or bonito is used. If you arrive too late for a full restaurant meal, convenience stores usually have rice balls, salads, tofu, fruit and other quick options, though vegetarian labelling should still be checked carefully.
Keep the rest of the evening unstructured. Set out clothing and essentials for tomorrow, charge your phones and allow everyone to sleep after the long journey. The planned anime and modern Tokyo day can begin at a comfortable pace in the morning.
Start at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, ideally with a timed entry around 10:00 or 10:30. Allow about two hours, though the experience is deliberately non-linear: rooms connect unexpectedly, lights and projections respond to movement, and it is easy to spend longer than planned. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid bringing bulky luggage; some areas are dark, mirrored or uneven. Tickets must be reserved in advance for a specific time, and availability can be tight, so make this booking before the trip. Admission is commonly around ¥4,000–5,000 for adults, subject to the current schedule and pricing.
For lunch, stay in Azabudai Hills rather than crossing the city. The complex has several convenient cafés and restaurants, and you can ask clearly for vegetarian options—Japanese “vegetarian” dishes can still contain dashi made from fish, so specify dashi nashi if necessary. From Azabudai Hills, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Zojo-ji Temple; the temple area is close enough to make this a pleasant transition rather than another major train journey.
Spend around 45 minutes at Zojo-ji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric Buddhist temples, set dramatically beneath Tokyo Tower. Take time to look at the main gate, the broad temple precinct and the rows of small Jizo figures in the garden area. Entry to the grounds is free, while particular buildings or exhibitions may charge separately; opening hours vary by area, so treat indoor access as conditional. Please keep voices low and avoid photographing worshippers during prayers.
Continue on foot to Tokyo Tower, roughly 10–15 minutes away, and allow about 90 minutes for the observation decks and surrounding views. The Main Deck is usually sufficient for a relaxed visit; a higher deck may require a separate ticket and timed availability. Admission is generally around ¥1,200–3,000 depending on the deck and booking method. Late afternoon is a good time for changing views over Shiba, Roppongi and central Tokyo, but allow for queues, especially if you want sunset.
Finish in Ginza with dinner at Ginza Hachigou, known for its refined ramen-style broth and limited daily service. Check its current opening schedule and reservation or queue system carefully before relying on it—hours and access can change, and it may sell out. Budget approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Explain your vegetarian requirements when ordering and confirm that the broth contains no fish or meat stock; your children can choose the regular menu if separate options are available. From Tokyo Tower, take the Toei subway toward Higashi-Ginza or use a taxi if everyone is tired, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes door-to-door. After dinner, leave the rest of the evening free for a gentle stroll through Ginza rather than adding another attraction.
Begin around 9:00 at Senso-ji, when the temple grounds are atmospheric but not yet at their busiest. Walk through Kaminarimon and along the approach to the main hall, taking time to notice the incense burner, smaller shrines and the contrast between the grand gate and the quieter lanes around the temple. The grounds are free; the main hall generally opens from around 6:00, though exact seasonal hours can vary. From central Tokyo, take the Ginza Subway Line to Asakusa Station, then walk about five minutes.
Allow about an hour for Nakamise-dori, browsing wooden toys, folding fans, textiles and traditional snacks. For vegetarian choices, look for plain rice crackers, sweet bean cakes and other clearly labelled sweets, checking carefully for fish-based stock or gelatin where relevant. Continue west on foot to Kappabashi Dougu Street, roughly 15–20 minutes away. This is one of Tokyo’s most enjoyable browsing areas: explore knife shops, lacquerware, ceramics and the wonderfully realistic plastic food displays. Most shops open around 10:00 and close in the late afternoon, so this timing works well; allow about 1.5 hours and remember that specialist stores may close on irregular days. Prices range from a few hundred yen for small souvenirs to considerably more for knives and professional cookware.
Have lunch at Asakusa Yadoroku, a long-established rice-ball restaurant near Senso-ji, budgeting roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person. Seating is limited and the restaurant may sell out, so arrive close to opening or be prepared to wait. Vegetarian options are possible but not guaranteed: ask specifically about fillings, dashi, bonito flakes and pickled ingredients, and do not assume a vegetable-looking side dish is fish-free. Your children can choose from the broader selection of freshly made onigiri. After lunch, keep the rest of the afternoon unplanned—Asakusa is best enjoyed slowly, with time for a short rest at the hotel or an unhurried wander along the quieter temple backstreets.
Make a relaxed start in Roppongi with Mori Art Museum, ideally arriving near opening time so you can enjoy the exhibition before the galleries become busier. Allow around two hours, including the viewing areas and any special exhibition rooms. Admission is commonly around ¥2,000–2,500, depending on the exhibition; check the official schedule and reserve a timed ticket if one is required. From your hotel, use the subway to Roppongi Station, then follow signs for Roppongi Hills—allow 10–15 minutes from the station entrance to the museum and lift queues.
Walk through Roppongi to 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Tokyo Midtown, roughly 15 minutes from Mori Art Museum. Its exhibitions are smaller and more contemplative, so allow about 90 minutes rather than rushing through. Opening days and admission vary by exhibition, with tickets generally around ¥1,400–1,600; confirm the current programme because it may close on a weekday or between exhibitions. Afterward, take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Roppongi Station to Omote-sando Station, then walk approximately 15 minutes through Aoyama to Nezu Museum. Allow two hours for the Japanese and East Asian collection and its beautifully landscaped garden. Admission is usually around ¥1,500–1,800, and the museum is often closed on Mondays, though the exact calendar should be checked before you go.
Finish at Brown Rice Canteen on Omotesando, a short walk from Nezu Museum. This is a particularly easy dinner choice for a mixed group: the menu is vegetarian and macrobiotic, while the setting is calm and unfussy after a gallery-heavy day. Budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Go before the late dinner rush if possible, and check the current closing time as it can change. From here, Omote-sando Station gives you straightforward subway connections back to most central Tokyo neighborhoods; keep the evening open for a slow stroll along Kiyosumi-dori—sorry, Omotesando itself—or a quiet drink nearby rather than adding another major attraction.
Begin around 9:00 at Meiji Jingu, entering through the broad forested approach from Harajuku Station. Allow about 90 minutes for the walk, shrine buildings and a quiet look at the sake barrels; the grounds are free and generally open from sunrise until sunset, with the exact hours changing seasonally. This is a good gentle start before Harajuku becomes crowded. From the shrine, walk a few minutes to Takeshita Street for roughly an hour of people-watching, youth fashion, character goods and colourful sweets. It is busiest around midday, so keep bags close and expect the narrow street to move slowly.
Take the JR Yamanote Line from Harajuku to Shibuya, then change to the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line for Sangenjaya; allow about 30–40 minutes including the transfer and walking. From there, continue by local train or taxi toward Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory. The Totoro-shaped cream puffs are popular and flavours can sell out, so check the current opening hours and arrive as early as practical; reservations may be available for the café, but do not rely on walk-in availability. Allow about 45 minutes. Vegetarian options are usually available, though cream-puff flavours and café offerings should be confirmed on the day. Afterward, leave some unplanned time in Setagaya rather than rushing straight back—this quieter residential area feels very different from central Harajuku.
Return to Shibuya by train or taxi, allowing 30–45 minutes, and book a private room at Karaoke Kan Shibuya Hachiko-mae for two to three hours. Reserve ahead if possible, especially for the evening; expect approximately ¥1,500–3,500 per person depending on the room, duration and drink plan. Ask about a vegetarian food option separately, as karaoke menus often centre on meat and seafood. Finish with flexible browsing at Tsukiji Outer Market, reached from Shibuya by the Ginza Line and a change to the Hibiya Line, usually around 35–45 minutes. Although many stalls close in the afternoon, some restaurants and shops remain open into the evening—verify individual hours before making this the basis of dinner. For vegetarian eating, look carefully at broths, bonito flakes, hidden meat stock and shared grills; Tsukiji is better treated as a snack-and-stroll stop than a guaranteed vegetarian dinner.
Take a mid-morning Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, allowing roughly 3½–4½ hours door-to-door once you include getting to the station, finding the platform, luggage and the transfer to your Kyoto accommodation. A Nozomi takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, with reserved seats generally around ¥14,000–15,000; book through SmartEX or JR Central, and reserve an oversized-baggage space if any suitcase exceeds the usual dimensions. On arrival at Kyoto Station, drop bags at your hotel or use station lockers before continuing by taxi or a short bus ride to central Kyoto. With the station transfer and check-in logistics, a late lunch is more realistic than trying to start sightseeing immediately.
Spend around 1½ hours at Nishiki Market, best approached from Karasuma Station or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. It is a narrow, lively food street rather than a conventional market for sitting down, so take your time browsing pickles, yuba, sesame treats, sweets and Kyoto produce. Vegetarian options are plentiful, but ask before sampling anything cooked in dashi or bonito stock; useful phrases are “だしなし” (dashi nashi, without dashi) and “ベジタリアンです” (bejitarian desu, I’m vegetarian). Avoid blocking the busy walkway while eating, as many stalls ask visitors to consume food beside the shop. Most businesses operate roughly late morning to early evening, but individual hours vary and some close on Wednesdays.
From Nishiki, walk east through the Gion area—about 15–20 minutes—to Yasaka Shrine, which makes a gentle first introduction to Kyoto’s traditional atmosphere. The shrine grounds are free and generally accessible throughout the day; come near dusk when the lanterns begin to glow and the crowds thin slightly. Continue to Gion Shirakawa, where a relaxed hour beside the canal takes you past willow trees, stone lanes and carefully preserved machiya houses. Please keep to public paths and do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission. Finish at Mumokuteki Café, a dependable vegetarian and vegan-friendly choice in central Kyoto, for a relaxed dinner of Japanese-style comfort food; allow about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Check its latest hours before setting out, since restaurant schedules can change, and take a taxi back to your hotel if everyone is tired after the travel day.
Start around 8:00 at Kiyomizu-dera, reached by taxi from central Kyoto or by bus to Gojozaka followed by a 10–15-minute uphill walk. Early arrival makes a noticeable difference: the approach is quieter, and you will have more space around the wooden main stage and the hillside views towards southern Kyoto. Allow about two hours, including queues and the temple’s different halls. Admission is typically around ¥400–¥500, and opening times vary seasonally, so check the official site shortly before visiting.
Walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, allowing roughly 90 minutes for the stone lanes, traditional wooden buildings, small craft shops and sweet shops. This is a lovely place to browse rather than rush, but the slopes and uneven paving are tiring, so comfortable shoes are worthwhile. For a vegetarian-friendly lunch, continue towards Omen Ginkaku-ji later in the day rather than settling for a quick snack here; food queues in this area can be long, particularly on Saturdays.
From the lanes, walk or take a short taxi ride towards Kennin-ji in Gion—roughly 15–20 minutes on foot, depending on where you finish. This quieter Zen temple is a good contrast to the morning crowds, with calm tatami rooms, gardens and memorable ink paintings; allow about an hour. Admission is generally around ¥600–¥800, with opening days and hours worth checking before you go.
Finish at Omen Ginkaku-ji for Kyoto-style udon. The restaurant is known for its generous assortment of vegetables, sesame and dipping broth, and it is particularly convenient for a vegetarian meal; expect roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person. It is associated with the Ginkaku-ji area rather than central Gion, so take a taxi from Kennin-ji—usually around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic—or use local transit with a short walk. Go before the busiest dinner period if possible, and confirm current hours and vegetarian preparation details on the day. This is a full but unhurried Higashiyama day; after dinner, return directly to your accommodation rather than adding another major sight.
Leave central Kyoto around 8:00–8:30, allowing about 45 minutes door-to-door to reach Saga-Arashiyama Station. Use an IC card or buy a local ticket at Kyoto Station; trains can be busy on Sunday, so avoid the last-minute rush. From the station, walk roughly 10 minutes toward Tenryu-ji, with the attractive back streets of Saga-Arashiyama making the approach more pleasant than taking a taxi all the way.
Begin at Tenryu-ji, one of Kyoto’s great Zen temples, allowing around 90 minutes for the buildings and garden. The Sogenchi Garden is the highlight, with borrowed mountain scenery and a beautifully composed pond landscape. Entry to the garden and temple buildings is usually paid separately, together costing roughly ¥1,000–¥1,500; opening times are generally from around 8:30, but check the official site nearer your visit. Afterward, walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest for about 45 minutes. Go straight through the main path first, then take quieter side streets rather than lingering only at the busiest viewpoint.
Continue uphill to Ōkōchi Sansō Garden, a former villa with immaculate gardens, small tea-house buildings and excellent views across Kyoto. Allow about 1–1½ hours; the admission fee is around ¥1,000 and normally includes a modest tea and sweet, making it good value despite being one of Arashiyama’s pricier sights. The paths are sloped and involve steps, so comfortable shoes are worthwhile. For lunch, return to Shigetsu, the refined vegetarian restaurant within Tenryu-ji. Its shōjin ryōri is ideal for you, while your children can enjoy a distinctly Kyoto-style meal rather than a generic vegetarian option. Expect roughly ¥3,000–¥6,000 per person, and reserve ahead if possible; service follows set sittings and availability can disappear quickly.
Keep the rest of the afternoon deliberately loose. After lunch, you can browse the small shops around Saga-Arashiyama or simply return to the station without adding another major attraction. The return journey on the JR Sagano Line takes about 20 minutes from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kyoto Station, plus walking and waiting time. Arashiyama is much more enjoyable when you accept that the bamboo path will be busy and focus instead on the temple garden, villa and slower lanes around it.
Keep this deliberately light after the previous day’s sightseeing. Check in at your Kyoto ryokan in the late afternoon, allowing time to remove shoes, understand the room arrangements and settle into the futon-and-tatami setting. Many traditional inns serve dinner at a fixed sitting, so confirm the dinner time and whether the bath is communal, reservable or private when you arrive. If you have large luggage, ask the ryokan to store it until the room is ready rather than carrying it around Kyoto.
Use the first afternoon to enjoy the stay itself rather than adding another major attraction. If the property offers tea, seasonal sweets, yukata or a short cultural introduction, this is a good time to take part. A two-night booking makes the experience much more relaxed: you can unpack properly, enjoy the facilities and avoid treating the ryokan as merely an overnight stop.
Before dinner, stroll toward the Kamo River if your ryokan is within easy walking distance; otherwise take a short taxi ride rather than adding a complicated bus connection. Keep the walk to roughly 45–60 minutes, enjoying the bridges and changing evening light without trying to cover a large part of the city. Return with a little margin before the meal, particularly if the ryokan serves dinner in your room or in a scheduled dining room.
Have the ryokan’s included seasonal dinner, usually a sequence of small dishes rather than one large vegetarian or meat-based plate. Tell the ryokan clearly in advance that one guest is vegetarian, specifying whether fish stock, bonito flakes, shellfish, eggs or dairy are acceptable; vegetarian kaiseki often requires advance preparation and cannot always be changed at the last minute. Your children can have the standard menu if the booking is arranged separately.
Allow around 1.5–2 hours for dinner and keep the rest of the evening unplanned. Depending on the property, a staff member may prepare the futons while you dine, or the room may already be arranged. Enjoy the bath and the quiet atmosphere, and keep tomorrow’s schedule gentle so you can make full use of the second night rather than rushing out early. Ryokan stays vary considerably in price, but dinner-and-breakfast packages commonly add roughly ¥10,000–30,000 or more per person above a room-only rate; confirm exactly what is included in your reservation.
Keep this as a deliberately unhurried day in your Kyoto ryokan, allowing everyone to enjoy the second night rather than packing in another long excursion. Have the traditional breakfast if it is included, then leave your room after the futons are put away and take a gentle walk towards Shosei-en Garden. The garden is particularly good for a quiet wander, with ponds, bridges and landscaped paths; allow roughly 1–1.5 hours and expect admission to be around ¥500–700.
Continue on foot to Higashi Hongan-ji, one of the city’s major Jodo Shinshu temples. Its enormous wooden halls are impressive, but the visit is compact enough to suit a relaxed itinerary. Dress respectfully, remove shoes where requested and allow about 45 minutes. The walk between the garden and temple is easy, though a short taxi ride is worthwhile if the weather is hot or anyone wants to preserve energy.
Return to your Kyoto ryokan for a leisurely lunch nearby or at the property, then leave the afternoon open for reading, a bath, a short neighbourhood walk or simply making use of the traditional room. A ryokan stay is most enjoyable when you are not rushing out for another major attraction. If your children would like a little independent time, this is also an easy day for the three of you to split up briefly and regroup for dinner.
Confirm the dinner arrangements with the ryokan staff in advance, especially your vegetarian requirements. A traditional multi-course meal can often be adapted, but explain clearly that you do not eat meat or fish; vegetarian dashi is not automatic. Depending on what is included in your plan, dinner may add roughly ¥8,000–20,000 per person, while a simpler nearby meal is usually about ¥1,000–3,000. Use the property’s bath before or after dinner according to its house rules, and keep voices low in shared areas.
Spend your final evening enjoying the ryokan’s details: seasonal dishes, tea, yukata and the experience of sleeping on futons. Allow at least 2–3 hours for dinner rather than treating it as a quick meal. Pack most luggage tonight so tomorrow’s departure for Osaka is straightforward, while keeping an overnight bag accessible for the next stop. Your hosts can usually help arrange a taxi or explain the best route to the station; allow about 30–45 minutes for the local transfer, plus check-out and luggage handling, before beginning tomorrow’s journey.
After arriving from Kyoto and settling in, start at Shitennoji if you can reach Tennoji by late morning. Allow about 90 minutes to explore the central temple grounds, pagoda area and quieter outer paths. The grounds are generally free, while the inner garden and treasure-house areas charge separate admission, usually a few hundred yen each. If your Kyoto arrival is later than expected, shorten this visit rather than rushing the rest of the day. From central Osaka, Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station is the most convenient subway stop.
Walk west through Tennoji Park to the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, allowing around 90 minutes. Its Japanese and Asian collections are a welcome change of pace after the temple, but check the official exhibition calendar first, as galleries and special displays can have irregular opening days. Admission varies by exhibition, commonly around ¥300–1,800. Wednesday is a sensible day for this stop, but confirm the current opening schedule before travelling. Leave room for a short break in the park before continuing toward Shinsekai.
Continue into Shinsekai, allowing roughly 30 minutes to wander along the retro streets around Janjan Yokocho and Tsutenkaku. Look for small kushikatsu counters, retro game arcades and local cafés, while checking menus carefully because traditional sauces and broths often contain fish or meat. Ride up Tsutenkaku for about an hour; timed entry or online tickets may be useful at busy periods, and the main observatory commonly costs around ¥1,000–1,500. Check the current final-admission time so you do not leave the tower until too late.
Finish at Ajinoya Honten in Namba, reached by subway from Dobutsuen-mae or by taxi in roughly 10–15 minutes. Expect a queue at this popular okonomiyaki restaurant, particularly at dinner; arriving before 17:30 or accepting a later meal can reduce the wait. Budget about ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Ask clearly for the vegetarian preparation and confirm the batter, sauce, mayonnaise and cooking surface, as dashi, pork or seafood may otherwise be included. After dinner, keep the evening unhurried around Namba—there is no need to add another major attraction after the Kyoto-to-Osaka transfer.
Leave your Osaka hotel around 7:00–7:30, allowing roughly 4–5 hours door-to-door for checkout, reaching Shin-Osaka Station, the shinkansen journey, luggage collection and the tram or taxi into central Hiroshima. A reserved Sakura or Nozomi seat is sensible, especially with luggage; at Hiroshima Station, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway tram toward Hiroshima Port or Eba and get off at Genbaku-Domu-mae, or use a taxi if you want to protect your museum time. Store bags at your hotel or station lockers before continuing to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Allow about two hours here, and expect an emotionally demanding visit—go slowly and leave space afterward rather than trying to rush straight through.
Walk through Peace Memorial Park from the museum to the Atomic Bomb Dome, a moving contrast to the museum’s interior exhibits. Around 30 minutes is enough to view it from the riverbanks and read the nearby explanations; please keep voices low, as this remains a place of remembrance rather than simply a sightseeing stop. Continue on foot to the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall, allowing about an hour for its quiet architecture, survivor testimonies and memorial displays. The park is compact, but the day’s travel and subject matter can be tiring, so take a short riverside pause before lunch if needed. The museum and memorial facilities generally have modest admission fees—often a few hundred yen—but check the official site for current timed-entry or reservation requirements.
Finish at Nagata-ya, a short walk from the park, for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki cooked on the hotplate. It is popular, so a queue is possible; arriving outside the main lunch and dinner peaks makes the relaxed option more realistic. Ask clearly for a vegetarian version and confirm the ingredients, since the standard batter, sauce, mayonnaise and cooking surface may involve meat, seafood or bonito; your children can choose the classic layered version. Budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Afterward, keep the evening easy: check into your Hiroshima accommodation, or take a gentle walk along the Motoyasu River if everyone still has energy.
Leave central Hiroshima around 8:00–8:30, allowing 45–60 minutes to reach Miyajimaguchi. The simplest route is the JR train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station, followed by the short walk to the JR Miyajima Ferry terminal. Use your IC card for the train and ferry, and check the day’s tide times before leaving: the famous torii is most dramatic around high tide, while low tide allows you to walk out across the beach. The crossing takes about 10 minutes, and the ferry ride itself is a pleasant introduction to the island.
Walk from the pier to Itsukushima Shrine, allowing around 90 minutes. Go straight there before browsing the souvenir streets, as the approach becomes busy later in the morning. Deer wander around the waterfront, but avoid feeding them and keep maps or food tucked away—they are very good at finding paper. Admission is roughly ¥300, and the shrine’s appearance changes considerably with the tide.
For lunch, go to Kakiya, a popular oyster restaurant near the main shopping streets. Your children can try the island’s famous oysters, while you should speak clearly with staff about being vegetarian and confirm that dishes do not contain oyster sauce, dashi or fish stock; vegetarian sides may be available, but this is not a dedicated vegetarian restaurant. Expect roughly ¥2,000–4,000 per person. After lunch, walk uphill for about 15 minutes to Daisho-in, one of Miyajima’s most atmospheric temples. Allow around 90 minutes for its lantern-filled halls, rows of small Buddhist figures and hillside views. The route is quieter than the main waterfront and gives you a good sense of the island beyond the shrine.
Continue to the Miyajima Ropeway station, allowing 2–3 hours for the ropeway, queues and viewpoints on Mount Misen. The ride involves a gondola change and can be busy, so leave some flexibility rather than planning a tightly timed return ferry. At the upper station, the views are excellent in clear weather, but the final summit viewpoints involve additional walking over uneven, occasionally steep paths. If the queue is long or weather is hazy, enjoy the lower viewpoints and return without trying to force the full summit walk.
Take a ferry back to Miyajimaguchi, then the JR train to Hiroshima Station. Allow at least an hour for the return journey, and longer if the ropeway queue is heavy. Keep the evening easy after the island’s hills: Hondori and the side streets around Fukuromachi are convenient for dinner, with plenty of casual restaurants where your children can try Hiroshima-style dishes. For you, check carefully for fish stock and bonito flakes, which are common even in apparently vegetable-based dishes. Miyajima is best treated as a full day rather than a quick excursion—the combination of tides, temple paths and mountain transport makes an unhurried schedule much more enjoyable.
Take a reserved morning Sanyo/Tokaido Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Tokyo Station. Although the train journey is just under four hours, allow around 6–7 hours door-to-door for checkout, getting to the station, luggage and the transfer to your Tokyo accommodation. Departing around 7:30–8:00 gives you the best chance of reaching central Tokyo with enough afternoon left; reserve seats together if possible, and choose the luggage area if you have large cases. On arrival, leave bags at your hotel or a station locker before exploring Marunouchi.
If you arrive before the gardens close, walk across to Imperial Palace East Gardens for a calm first look at Tokyo again. Allow 60–90 minutes for the former castle grounds, stone walls, seasonal planting and the remaining foundations of Edo Castle. The gardens are free, but opening days and seasonal hours vary, so check the Imperial Household Agency’s calendar; they are not open every day. If your train is delayed or it is a garden-closure day, simply enjoy the architecture around Tokyo Station Marunouchi instead—particularly the red-brick station façade, Marunouchi Naka-dori and the department-store arcades.
Head to KITTE, directly beside the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, for the free KITTE Garden rooftop terrace. It is a particularly easy stop after a long travel day, with good views over the station platforms and the surrounding office towers; allow about 45 minutes, and check the building’s closing time as it can vary. Finish with dinner at T’s Tantan Tokyo Station, a fully vegan ramen restaurant inside the station complex, where the sesame and soy-based bowls work well for everyone in the group. Expect roughly ¥1,000–2,000 per person. Because the restaurant is within the ticketed station area, follow the signs carefully and avoid exiting the gates until you have found the correct concourse.
With a 9:00pm departure, keep the final day gentle rather than trying to cross the city. After breakfast, visit Kiyosumi Gardens, where stepping-stone paths, a pond and carefully arranged trees provide a calm last walk. Allow around 1–1.5 hours, and check the official opening information before leaving because attraction hours can change.
Continue a short distance to Fukagawa Fudoson, an active temple complex with striking decorative details and a more local atmosphere than Tokyo’s busiest sights. Allow about 45 minutes, keeping voices low and following any instructions around worship areas. This pairing works well for a relaxed final morning and avoids carrying luggage between several major districts.
Have lunch around Monzennakacho, where you will find casual Japanese restaurants and small local shops. A vegetarian meal is usually possible, but ask clearly about fish stock, bonito flakes and meat-based sauces; budget roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person for a casual lunch. Your children can choose more flexible local dishes nearby, while you may find tofu, vegetable set meals, soba or rice-based options depending on the restaurant.
Leave the afternoon intentionally open for coffee, a final convenience-store snack run or returning to the hotel to repack. Keep passports, medication and travel documents in hand luggage, and confirm whether your accommodation can hold bags after checkout. If you still want one last shopping stop, use a small neighbourhood shopping street rather than adding a distant attraction.
Plan to leave your hotel around 4:30–5:00pm for Narita Airport, or around 5:30–6:00pm for Haneda Airport, adjusting for your hotel and airline terminal. Allow roughly 75–100 minutes door-to-door to Narita and about 45–75 minutes to Haneda, including luggage collection, station or bus-stop access and possible traffic or platform delays. An airport bus can be easiest with suitcases, while rail is often more predictable in heavy traffic; check the exact route on the day.
For a 9:00pm international departure, aim to be at the airport around three hours beforehand. The transfer timing is a planning target rather than a guaranteed schedule, so confirm the airline’s terminal and check-in deadline before checkout. Keep a buffer for queues, baggage drop and security, and treat the evening flight as the firm anchor of the day rather than adding another distant sightseeing stop.
No packing list attached yet.