The long-awaited moment has arrived! Not only am I headed back to Japan in mid-May, but this time I’ll be bringing the wife and stepdaughter along for a change as well! Some time in Tokyo and Kansai, of course, but also for me a chance to visit Ishigaki and Hiroshima for the first time – so good times all around.

They’ll fly in directly to Osaka, so we’ll start with their and Kyoto. With only four nights for city it seems to me like we’re rushing through, though obviously many tourists spend just a night or two and try to see everything. I’d really like to visit the royal palace in Kyoto, assuming we can sort out tickets, as well as some small hikes just outside of each city to get a change from the massive megacity vibes in each.

First, though, I’ve gotta get them in from the airport. Neither of them have been to Japan before, and the wife is notoriously bad at navigating public transport, so I think the moment is ripe for an airport transfer to get them straight to the hotel with minimal fuss. I, arriving the day before, will obviously be taking public transport like a good lad. I do think I’ll go on the little river cruise the night I arrive to Osaka, a day before then, as I’ll be staying in Namba just a short walk from Dotonbori and it seems like a good photo opp.

Once we get to Hiroshima, we’ll take a quick night before heading over to Miyajima, climbing the hill and staying in a more traditional guesthouse in the village for one evening. Morning on the island, then back to Hiroshima to explore for a few night.

From there,

There’s a good 3-day bus pass option for Hiroshima, so we’ll probably try to take public transporation most of the time we’re in the city. That’ll sort us out for Hiroshima, but then I’m looking at some daytrips not far from there to explore a little more of the weird side of the region. Rabbit Island seems like a goofy thing (though a quite sad history), for one.

I guess in Tokyo they’ll want to go up some kind of tall building. I’m a big fan of free, so I’ll push for the Metro building, but there’s also a Miyazaki store near the Skytree that makes that a convenient itinerary addition – so I suppose it remains a distinct possibility as well.

Tokyo is an amazing tourist city, but it’s even better for food than for sightseeing. I’ll probably try out this local rec for foods this trip, as I’ve eaten well on previous visits but have only rarely had my mind blown.