First trip itinerary: Kansai and Kyushu

We are a couple who will be visiting Japan for the first time (and will not be the last). We really appreciate everything we have read and learned on this forum so far. Below is our itinerary divided into two legs. We tried to include places that caters to our interests and plan to utilize luggage forwarding where makes sense. Any feedback or your experiences at these places would be appreciated!

Dates: Thursday November 14 to Saturday November 30.
Interests: traditional arts and culture, gardens, museums, onsen, seafood, fall foliage


Leg 1 Osaka, Kyoto, Miyajima
Thursday 11/14:
AM: 10 am arrive at KIX.
PM: Leave luggage at Osaka hotel. CAPCOM store in Shinsaibashi (hubby�fs must do)

Friday 11/15: National Museum of Ethnology at the Expo�f70 park.

Saturday 11/16:
AM: Travel to Kyoto via Hankyu line, Matsunoo Taisha and/or Saihoji (need reservation),
PM: Katsura Imperial Villa (need reservation). Overnight in a guesthouse near Ryoanji.

Sunday 11/17:
AM: Sleep in
PM: Ninnaji and Myoshinji

Monday 11/18:
AM: Ryoanji and Kinkakuji at opening time
PM: Shimogamo shrine and/or Kyoto Botanical Garden

Tuesday 11/19:
AM: Train to Miyajima, stop over in Himeji
PM: overnight at a ryokan in Miyajima

Wednesday 11/20: Miyajima, Mt Misen and Dashoin

Thursday 11/21:
AM: Hiroshima Peace Park
PM/Evening: overnight in Mojiko

Leg 2 Kyushu will rent a car

Friday 11/22:
AM: Karato fish market.
PM: sumo tournament in Fukuoka. Overnight in Fukuoka

Saturday 11/23: Daizaifu, Kyushu National Museum, overnight in Yamaga

Sunday 11/24: Yochiyo-za, Mt Aso, overnight in Yamaga

Monday 11/25: Mt Aso, overnight in Kurokawa onsen

Tuesday 11/26: Hita, overnight in Tara, Saga

Wednesday 11/27: Yutoku inari, oyster shack for lunch, Takeo shrine, overnight in Ureshino

Thursday 11/28: pottery village, overnight in Ureshino

Friday 11/29: Karatsu, overnight in Fukuoka

Saturday 11/30: Fly home

Thank you!

Dates: Thursday November 14 to Saturday November 30.
Interests: traditional arts and culture, gardens, museums, onsen, seafood, fall foliage

Leg 1 Osaka, Kyoto, Miyajima
Thursday 11/14:
AM: 10 am arrive at KIX.

Very nice style of question! Dates, arrival time, and interests are accurately written. Unless these information we can not answer correctly.

You seems to avoid super crowded places which is nice.

You will have 3 days in Kyoto, from 16th to 18th November. These dates seems to be too early for the peak color but you will be able to enjoy some autumn foliage.

Kyoto is not famous for seafoods, but is the capital of cuisine in Japan so you may want to once visit a Kaiseki restaurant.

Popular onsen ryokan in Miyajima and Kurokawa will be rapidly booked out, so you should book as early as possible.

Enjoy your trip!