Japan itinerary – 13 nights – appreciate feedback

My gf and I are visiting in November for 13 nights.

Day 1: November 14 – Tokyo (Arrival)

  • Arrival in Tokyo 530pm local time
  • Reach accommodation in Shinjuku 7-8pm
  • Dinner somewhere Local

Day 2: November 15 – Tokyo (Ueono/Asakusa)

  • Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
  • Ueno Park
  • Tokyo National Museum
  • Akihabara

Day 3: November 16 – Tokyo (Hakone)

  • Day trip to Hakone (if nice weather)

OR

  • Imperial Palace
  • Toyosu or Tsukiji market
  • Team Lab Planets 

Day 4: November 17 – Tokyo (Harajuku / Shibuya)

  • Meiji Shrine
  • Takeshita Street
  • Yoyogi Park
  • Shibuya 

Day 5: November 18 – Kanazawa

  • Train from Tokyo to Kanazawa (3-4hours)
  • Omicho Market

Day 6: November 19 – Kanazawa

  • Kenroku-en Garden
  • Kanazawa Castle & Castle Park
  • Samurai District

Day 7: November 20 – Kyoto

  • Train from Kanazwa to Kyoto (2 hours)
  • Nishiki market for lunch
  • Relax / explore local area
  • Birthday dinner

Day 8: November 21 – Kyoto (Osaka)

  • Day trip to Osaka
  • Umeda Sky Building
  • Osaka Palace
  • Evening in Dotonbori / Food tour
  • Train back to Kyoto

Day 9: November 22 – Kyoto

  • Hires bikes to explore city
  • Heian Shrine
  • Kiyomizu-dera temple

Day 10: November 23 – Kyoto (Nara – maybe)

  • Half day trip to Nara
  • Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple
  • Train back to Kyoto

Day 11: November 24 – Hiroshima 

  • Brunch in Kyoto
  • Train to Hiroshima (1-2hours)
  • Peace Memorial Park and Museum

Day 12: November 25 – Hiroshima

  • Miyajima Island Day trip
  • Train from Hiroshima to Tokyo (4-5 hours)

Day 13: November 26 – Tokyo

  • Stuff we didn’t in first leg (eg, if we did Hakone/Mt Fuji)

Day 14: November 27- Tokyo

  • AM activities
  • Depart Tokyo

Things we're not sure about:

  • Staying in Shinjuku: Necessary? Overrated? We’ve currently got accommodation there for both legs but can cancel/change. Perhaps better to stay somewhere else on the return leg?
  • Day trips to Hakone/Nara worth it?
  • Any Must Do’s missing
  • Any days too crammed / not enough
  • Is it worth hiring a car in Kyoto (for the day trips and various sites)?
  • What do people think of Kanazawa as part of the trip? 

by TheMadStork9