18 Day Itinerary

Hello, I'll be going to Japan with my GF in November and I'm debating how to best use my time there, here's my plan now:

Day 1-5: Tokyo (November 21-25, 4 Nights, Staying in Tokyo)

• Day 1 (Nov 21): Arrive at Haneda Airport at 19:25 → Check into a hotel in Shibuya
• Day 2 (Nov 22): Explore Asakusa, Sensō-ji Temple, and Tokyo Skytree → Afternoon in Akihabara.
• Day 3 (Nov 23): Visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku’s Takeshita Street
• Day 4 (Nov 24) – Flexible Options:
  • Option 1: Day trip to Nikko (Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls).
  • Option 2: Stay in Tokyo: Visit Odaiba & teamLab Planets/Broderless → Explore Ginza in the evening.
  • Option 3: Day trip to Fujikawaguchiko (~2 hours by bus/train) → Visit Chureito Pagoda, Maple Corridor, Oishi Park → Return to Tokyo in the evening.

Day 6-7: Hakone (November 25-27, 2 Nights, Staying in Hakone)

• Day 5 (Nov 25) – Flexible Options:
  • Option 1: Travel directly to Hakone (~1.5 hrs by train/bus) → Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum → Check into onsen in Gora/Yumoto.
  • Option 2: Stop in Fujikawaguchiko on the way to Hakone (if not visited the pervious day) → Visit Chureito Pagoda, Oishi Park, or Lake Kawaguchi → Continue to Hakone in the evening.
• Day 6 (Nov 26): Take the Hakone Ropeway for Mount Fuji views → Visit Owakudani & cruise on Lake Ashi.
• Day 7 (Nov 27): Morning in Hakone → Shinkansen to Kyoto (~2.5 hrs) → Check into Kyoto hotel near Kamakura.

Day 8-10: Kyoto (November 27-30, 3 Nights, Staying in Kyoto)

• Day 8 (Nov 28): Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha → Explore Tōfuku-ji Temple → Optional sake tasting in Fushimi.
• Day 9 (Nov 29): Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) → Explore Gion in the evening.
• Day 10 (Nov 30): Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple → Afternoon Shinkansen to Hiroshima (~2 hrs) → Check into Hiroshima hotel.

Day 11-12: Hiroshima & Miyajima (November 30-December 2, 2 Nights, Staying in Hiroshima/Miyajima)

• Day 11 (Dec 1, Staying in Hiroshima): Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Shukkeien Garden.
• Day 12 (Dec 2, Staying in Miyajima or Hiroshima): Take a ferry to Miyajima Island → Explore Itsukushima Shrine → Hike or take ropeway to Mount Misen.

Day 13: Himeji Stop (December 3) → Continue to Osaka (Staying in Osaka)

• Morning: Take the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Himeji (~1 hour).
• Late Morning/Early Afternoon:
  • Himeji Castle (~2 hours).
  • Koko-en Garden (~45 minutes).
  • Quick lunch near Himeji Station.
• Afternoon: Take the Shinkansen from Himeji to Osaka (~30 minutes) → Check into Osaka hotel.
• Evening: Explore Dotonbori & Namba, enjoy Osaka street food (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu).

Day 14-16: Osaka (December 3-6, 3 Nights, Staying in Osaka)

• Day 14 (Dec 4): Day trip to Nara → Visit Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha → Return to Osaka.
• Day 15 (Dec 5): Visit Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and Umeda Sky Building.
• Day 16 (Dec 6): Morning in Osaka → Shinkansen to Kanazawa (~2.5 hrs) → Check into Kanazawa hotel.

Day 17-18: Kanazawa (December 6-8, 2 Nights, Staying in Kanazawa)

• Day 17 (Dec 7): Visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Day 18 (Dec 8): Explore Higashi Chaya District, Nagamachi Samurai District, Omicho Market → Evening Shinkansen to Tokyo (~2.5 hrs) → Check into Tokyo hotel near Ginza/Tokyo Station.

Day 19-20: Tokyo & Departure (December 9, Staying in Tokyo, Departing Late Night)

• Day 19 (Dec 9): Spend last full day shopping or filling gaps → Enjoy a farewell dinner in Tokyo.
• Late Evening (Dec 9): Travel to Haneda Airport. Flight departing at 01:00 on December 10.

My question is if there are places worth staying that I didn't mention, Takayama and Shirakawago sound interesting but it seems like it might be too much of a detour for the time I have there.
I'd love to hear your suggestions.