Hi everyone! I’m heading to Japan for the second and third weeks of November 2025. I would need you to sense check the final leg of my trip (Osaka-Naoshima-Hiroshima) spending 5 days in total.
I love walking, exploring, and packing a lot into my days, but I want to make sure my itinerary is realistic and not overly ambitious. Photography is also my greatest passion. I’d also love to hear if I’m missing any must-see spots or if there’s anything I should tweak.
In particular, I’m not sure whether my timing for Naoshima is realistic – I wonder whether I should spread that plan over the whole day or add more things to see. Here’s my draft plan:
Day 1: Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka by train
- Afternoon: Castle Park (Osaka Castle).
- Evening: Dotonbori (Glico Man sign, Ebisubashi bridge, street food), Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower (if time allows).
Day 2: Day trip to Nara from Osaka
- Arrive in Nara (Kintetsu-Nara Station)
- Kasugataisha Shrine
- Nara Deer Park
- Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple
- Gardens at Isuien Garden or Yoshikien Garden
- Kōfukuji Temple
- Mochiidonocho – Nara’s Old Town Shopping District
- Higashimuki Shopping Street
- Depart back to Osaka
Day 3: Naoshima
- 6:45 AM – Depart Osaka: JR Sanyo Shinkansen (Hikari/Sakura) from Shin-Osaka to Okayama (45 min). Transfer to JR Uno Line to Uno Station (50 min). Arrive at Uno Port by 8:45 AM.
- 8:55 AM – Ferry: Take the 9:22 AM ferry to Miyanoura Port (20 min, ¥300, not JR Pass-covered). Arrive by 9:45 AM in Miyanoura.
- 10:00 AM – Kusama’s Red Pumpkin and Naoshima Pavilion.
- 10:30 – 10:45 – Cycle to Museum Area.
- 10:45 – Benesse House Museum, Gotanji Beach and Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin (free, beachside). Spend 1 hour.
- 11:45 – Chichu Art Museum (Monet’s Water Lilies and Turrell’s installations). Spend 1 hour.
- 12:45 – 1:00 PM Cycle to hotel in Honmura
- 1:00 PM – Check in hotel
- 2:00 PM – Art House Project. Spend 2 hours
- [Q: not sure whether the timing I estimated is realistic – would you recommend adding more things to visit or spreading this plan over the whole day?]
Day 4: Hiroshima
- 9:15 AM – Depart Naoshima. Catch 9:45 AM ferry to Uno. Take JR Uno Line to Okayama (10:10 AM, arrive 11:00 AM). Take train to Hiroshima.
- Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima Castle, Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
- [Q: I know this is extremely overpacked – would you recommed dropping the museum?]
Day 5: Day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima
- Morning: Itsukushima Shrine (floating torii gate), Daisho-in Temple.
- Afternoon: Mount Misen (Miyajima Ropeway), Omotesando shopping street.
- Return to Hiroshima in the evening.
by Adagio987