Japan 15 Days - Tokyo to Hiroshima - May 2026

Nezu Shrine

Azalea garden in full bloom mid-May. One of Tokyo's oldest shrines with stunning tunnels of color.

Ain Soph Journey

Fully vegan restaurant near Shinjuku. Famous fluffy pancakes and plant-based burgers. Perfect for strict vegetarians.

Flamingo Shimokitazawa

Popular vintage clothing shop. Great for thrift fashion finds.

New York Joe Exchange

Curated secondhand fashion in a former bathhouse. Shimokitazawa institution.

Stick Out

Vintage clothing shop in Shimokitazawa. Quality leather goods and accessories.

Nakano Broadway

Multi-floor shopping complex. Watch shops on 3F-4F (Jackroad, TIME ZONE). Browse first, buy on return visit.

Golden Gai

Iconic maze of 200+ tiny bars in Shinjuku. Best after 9:30pm. Many bars welcome foreigners.

Tokyo DisneySea

Full day. Vulcania Restaurant has vegetarian options. Get there at rope drop.

Senso-ji (Sanja Matsuri)

Sanja Matsuri main procession mid-May. One of Tokyo's biggest festivals with portable shrines carried through the streets.

Ghibli Museum

Reserve tickets well in advance. If sold out, consider Ghibli Park in Aichi or teamLab instead.

Omoide Yokocho

Atmospheric alley of tiny eateries near Shinjuku station. Limited vegetarian options but worth a walk through.

Bar Benfiddich

Award-winning cocktail bar in Shinjuku. Bartender forages his own ingredients. Reservation recommended.

Kozantei Ubuya

Luxury ryokan with private onsen and direct Mt. Fuji views from the bath. Confirm vegetarian meal options in advance.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

800,000 moss phlox flowers with Mt. Fuji backdrop. Arrive before 9am to beat crowds. Peak mid-May.

Oshino Hakkai

Eight crystal-clear spring ponds fed by Mt. Fuji snowmelt. Traditional thatched-roof village setting.

Fuji Speedway

Drift experience in the Fuji area. Book in advance. Fuji Motor Sports Museum also worth a visit.

Sanmachi Suji

Edo-period merchant street. Sake breweries, craft shops. Try hoba miso (vegetarian), sansai vegetables, tofu dengaku.

Kappa Bridge

Iconic suspension bridge in Kamikochi. Start of the 8km flat trail to Myojin Pond and Taisho Pond. Snow-capped Alps views.

Taisho Pond

Mirror-like pond reflecting the Northern Alps. Created by a 1915 eruption. End point of the Kamikochi trail loop.

Hida Folk Village

Open-air museum with relocated gasshō-zukuri thatched houses. Beautiful in any season. Evening visit possible.

Philosopher's Path

2km canal-side walk from Nanzenji to Ginkakuji. Lined with cherry trees and small temples.

Nanzen-ji

Massive Zen temple complex. Don't miss the brick aqueduct and the gardens.

Ginkaku-ji

Silver Pavilion. Gorgeous moss garden and sand cone. Northern end of the Philosopher's Path.

Gion District

Kyoto's geisha district. Best at dusk for a chance to spot maiko heading to engagements.

Shigetsu (Shojin Ryori)

Buddhist vegetarian cuisine inside Tenryu-ji temple grounds. Multi-course set meals, fully plant-based. Perfect for strict vegetarians.

Tenryu-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple. Arrive at 8am opening for the garden before crowds. Connects to bamboo grove.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Towering bamboo forest. Visit early morning for empty paths. Walk through from Tenryu-ji to Okochi Sanso.

Okochi Sanso Garden

Actor's hilltop villa with sweeping views of Kyoto and Arashiyama. Matcha included with entry. Hidden gem most tourists skip.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

10,000 vermillion torii gates. Starting at 3pm is smart. Upper mountain circuit (2hrs) thins out the crowds dramatically.

Himeji Castle

Japan's most spectacular original castle. 90-minute stopover from Kyoto to Hiroshima works perfectly.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Devastating and essential. Allow 2+ hours. The park grounds have the A-Bomb Dome and cenotaph.

Itsukushima Shrine

Floating torii gate, iconic at high tide. The island transforms after 5:30pm when day-trippers leave.

Iwaso Ryokan

Historic ryokan on Miyajima since 1854. Confirm vegetarian kaiseki in advance. Private onsen available.

Mt. Misen

Miyajima's sacred peak (535m). Ropeway + 30min hike to summit. Panoramic Seto Inland Sea views. Or full hike 90min up.

Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi)

Onomichi's hillside temple walk. Cat statues, stone steps, Seto Inland Sea views. Charming retro town for an afternoon.

MAZDA Museum

Buffer day option. Factory tour showing car production line. Book in advance. Great for car culture fans.

Tomonoura

Buffer day option. Ponyo's inspiration. Preserved Edo-era port town. Photogenic harbor, temples, and narrow lanes.

Shukkeien Garden

Buffer day option. Miniature landscape garden in central Hiroshima. Peaceful retreat, beautiful in any season.

Totoro Coffee Shop

Oiishi Park

Lavanda and kochia.

Enko-ji

Lot of cute jizos.

Chureito Pagoda

Hida-Furukawa

#village

Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory

白髭のシュークリーム工房 More info: http://www.shiro-hige.net/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwzytXhSvnN/ #food

Takayama Jinya

高山陣屋 Places used as government offices during the Edo period are called "jinya," and it seems that Takayama is the only place in Japan where they still exist. More info: https://jinya.gifu.jp/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3U7ahwSOsy/?img_index=6 #architecture

Blue Bottle Coffe Kyoto Cafe

ブルーボトルコーヒー 京都カフェ A building over 100 years old has been renovated and now houses a Blue Bottle Coffee. More info: https://store.bluebottlecoffee.jp/pages/kyoto IG post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1rWRqlSTRn/ #cafe

Hirayu no Mori (hotel & hot spring)

ひらゆの森の温泉 There are a total of 16 outdoor baths (onsen) available, for both men and women combined. You can also enjoy private rental onsen for day trips. More info: https://www.hirayunomori.co.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHP--IygcXK/?img_index=1 #onsen

Kuumba du Falafel

#falafel

Daishōin Temple

大聖院

Hiroshima Castle

広島城 More info: https://www.rijo-castle.jp/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbzwGThrm2Y/

SPICE LAB TOKYO

Upscale modern Indian cuisine in Ginza. Familiar flavors from home with a Japanese twist. Vegetarian options galore. Comfort food for Indian travelers.

Seiko Museum Ginza

Free museum showcasing Seiko's history since 1881. Vintage timepieces, Grand Seiko movements, clockmaking demos. A must for watch enthusiasts.

T's TanTan (Tokyo Station)

Famous vegan sesame tantanmen ramen inside Tokyo Station. Convenient on travel days. No meat, no fish, no eggs.

Paradise Vintage

Top-rated vintage leather bags in Jingumae. Pristine Chanel, Hermès, and other designer bags. Open daily 12-8pm.

KOMEHYO VINTAGE TOKYO

Designer vintage bags at affordable prices. Jingumae location near Omotesando. Great selection of leather goods.

Vintage Qoo

Multi-floor luxury vintage selection. Strong on 1950s-2000s leather pieces. Chanel flaps, Hermès, and more.

Mumokuteki Cafe Kyoto

Excellent vegan/vegetarian cafe in downtown Kyoto. Organic, plant-based Japanese meals. Perfect for strict vegetarians.

Daikoku Parking Area

THE legendary late-night car meetup spot in Japan. Modified JDM cars, supercars, itasha. Best on Friday/Saturday nights after 10pm. Near Yokohama, accessible from Tokyo.

Vegan Bistro Jangara

Purely vegan bistro in Harajuku by the Jangara Ramen chain. Ramen, pasta, and comfort food, all plant based. No meat, no fish, no eggs.

OKO - Fun Okonomiyaki Bar

Vegan/vegetarian okonomiyaki in Dotonbori, Osaka. Could work if you squeeze in a 3hr Osaka stopover on Day 11 (Kyoto to Hiroshima). Fun, interactive cooking experience.