Hello, I (29M) am planning a 2 week trip to Hiroshima -> Shikoku -> Okayama -> Izu, the Shikoku and Izu will be the main focus and parts of it will have a car. This will be my 4th trip to Japan, so I am fairly comfortable with visiting and exploring out-of-the way places. For this itinerary I'm specifically looking for feedback on:
– Are there any parts of the trip that seem unfeasible or would have issues?
– Are there are points of interest beyond what I mention worth checking out?
– Any specific suggestions for meeting locals with this itinerary? (I speak fluent Japanese)
– Any other food / accommodation / attraction suggestions are welcome
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Day 1 (Friday, November 14, 2025) – Tokyo -> Miyajima
– Flight lands at 1:30 pm, shinkansen to Hiroshima, local + ferry to Miyajima
– Reach by ~7-8 pm, stay at a guest house in Miyajima for the night
Day 2 (Saturday, November 15, 2025) – Miyajime + Hiroshima
– Wake up early, check out the Itsukushima Jinja and Torii in peace
– Hike up Mt. Misen or take the cablecar if active
– Afternoon: Take the ferry to Hiroshima, check out Shukkein Garden and Hiroshima Castle
– Dinner, peace park, night at hotel near peace park
Day 3 (Sunday, November 16, 2025) – Hiroshima -> Onomichi -> Shinminami Kaido (pt. 1)
– Early morning train to Onomichi
– Hike up the Cat alley connecting to Senkou Temple (optional: take the cable car up to the observatory)
– Rent an e-assisted bike, take the first ferry, and get cycling on Shinminami Kaido
– End the day at Ryokan SUMINOE on Ikuchi Island
Day 4 (Monday, November 17, 2025) – Shinminami Kaido (pt. 2)
– Early breakfast, do the rest of the Shinminami Kaido
– Return the bike at Sunrise Itoyama, take a bus to Imabari
– Rest in Imabari, towel shopping
– Take a train to Matsuyama, end the day at the hotel
Day 5 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025) – Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen
– Spend the day exploring Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen
– Matsuyama Castle, Bansuiso, Dogo Onsen, Isaniwa Shrine
– Dinner and return to Matsuyama hotel
Day 6 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025) – [car] Matsuyama -> Oshima Island
– Pick up rental car, drive to the south
– Spots to cover (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue):
– Shimonada Station
– Ozu Castle, Uwajima Castle
– Nametoko Gorge
– Ashizuri-Uwaki National Park
– Drive to Resort Ryokan on Oshima Island, end the day
Day 7 (Thursday, November 20, 2025) – [car] Oshima Island -> Kochi
– Wake up early, drive to Kochi
– Spots to cover (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue):
– Nakatsu Gorge
– UFO Line
– Niko Deep
– Katsurahama Beach
– End the day in Ryokan in Kochi city
Day 8 (Friday, November 21, 2025) – [car] Kochi -> Iya Valley -> Kotohira
– Early breakfast, drive to Kotohira covering parts of Tokushima prefecture on the way
– Spots to cover (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue):
– Iya Valley
– Oboke Gorge
– Iyanonsen (onsen day-visit)
– Nagoro village (probably skip this one)
– Sanuki Manno Park
– If possible, do some Kotohira Shrines (they all close by 6, so only do this if reaching by 5)
– End the day at Ryokan in Kotohira
Day 9 (Saturday, November 22, 2025) – [car] Kotohira + Takamatsu
– Early breakfast, do Kotohiragu / Kompira if not done the previous day
– Take the car, cover spots (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue)
– Zentsuji
– Marugame Castle
– Shikokumura (high priority)
– Ritsurin Garden (high priority)
– Takamatsu Castle Park
– Return the car (at or before 5/6 pm) in Takamatsu
– Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Takamatsu
Day 10 (Sunday, November 23, 2025) – Takamatsu -> Naoshima -> Okyama
– Take the Takamatsu -> Naoshima ferry in the morning
– Spend half / most of the day exploring Noashima
– Ferry into Okayama
– Visit Okayama Castle (closes 9:30 pm, or skip if tired)
– Spend the night at the Okayama hotel
Day 11 (Monday, November 24, 2025) – Okayama + Kurashiki
– Morning train to Kurashiki
– Cover Kurashiki attractions (they're all bunched together)
– Return to Okayama before the Korakuen closes, explore Korakuen
– Dinner and night at the Okayam hotel
Day 12 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025) – [car] Okayama -> Jogasaki (Izu Day 1)
– Take the earliest 6 am Shink to Atami (ETA 9:45 am)
– Maybe check out Kinomiya Shrine, collect car at Atami around 10:30 or 11 am
– Drive along the east coast, cover spots (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue)
– Banjo Falls
– Jogasaki Coast (duh)
– Izu Shaboten Zoo
– Izu Ocean Park
– Spend the evening in Yumenoya
– NOTE: maybe arrive early to this one, high-end ryokan worth spending more time in
Day 13 (Wednesday, November 26, 2025) – [car] Jogasaki -> Kannon Onsen (Izu Day 2)
– Ryokan breakfast, cover nearby spots I couldn't yesterday due to Ryokan
– Cover spots (NOTE: Several of these can be skipped depending on driving fatigue)
– Joren -> Kawazu Falls
– Shimoda Aquarium
– Ebisu Island / Irozaki cape (play by ear)
– End the day in Kannon Onsen ryokan
Day 14 (Thursday, November 27, 2025) – [car] Kannon Onsen -> Shuzenji (Izu Day 3)
– Cover the west-side of Izu coast (spots TBD, play by ear)
– Check some beaches out along the way
– End the day in Ryokan near Shuzenji station
Day 15 (Friday, November 28, 2025) – Shuzenji -> Atami -> Tokyo
– Wake up early, cover spots between Shuzenji and Atami (e.g. Panaroma Park, Kinomiya Shrine)
– Hand car off in Atami around 11 am or so
– Explore some Atami (MAO Museum of art, Kiunkaku)
– Return to Tokyo by late afternoon
Day 16 (Saturday, November 29, 2025) – Tokyo
– Free Tokyo day – live music / karaoke, theme cafes, small worlds, etc.
Day 17 (Sunday, November 30, 2025) – Tokyo -> Home
– Early morning (10 am) flight, maybe find some things to do super early if possible
by GavilarKholin