Matsuyama, the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima & Okayama in 5 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Dogo Onsen, the Shimanami Kaido, hilly Onomichi, Hiroshima’s Peace Park, Miyajima’s floating torii and Kurashiki’s canals along the Seto Inland Sea.

JapanHot springsCulture & historyNatureFood
Length5 days / 4 nights
CitiesMatsuyama, Onomichi, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Okayama, Kurashiki
CurrencyJPY Japanese yen
Best time to goMar–May and Oct–Nov are ideal; summers are hot, so avoid midday cycling.

Day-by-day overview

Day 1Matsuyama × Dogo Onsen

10:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Matsuyama Airport
Type / No.Flight
The airport bus takes about 20 minutes to town.
12:00📍 Sight
Matsuyama Castle (by ropeway)
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
14:00🍽 Food
Tai-meshi sea-bream rice
MealLunch
🍜 Must-eat
15:30🏨 Stay
Check in to a Dogo ryokan (add yours)
Type / platformRyokan
Check-in / out15:00 / 10:00
♨️ Hot spring
17:00📍 Sight
Dogo Onsen Honkan
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
One of Japan’s oldest baths, fully reopened after restoration.
♨️ Hot spring📸 Photo spot
19:00🍽 Food
Dinner in Dogo arcade
MealDinner

Day 2Shimanami Kaido × Onomichi

08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformRyokan
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
JR to Imabari
Type / No.Train
About 40 minutes.
10:00📍 Sight
Cycle over the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge
Suggested time2.5 hrs
Rent at Sunrise Itoyama and ride a section and back.
📸 Photo spot
13:30🚗 Transport
Highway bus across the Shimanami Kaido to Onomichi
Type / No.Bus / coach
Limited services — check the timetable.
15:30📍 Sight
Senko-ji Temple & Cat Alley
Suggested time2 hrs
Ride the ropeway up and walk down.
🚶 Lots of walking📸 Photo spot
18:00🍽 Food
Onomichi ramen
MealDinner
🍜 Must-eat
19:30🚗 Transport
Train to Hiroshima
Type / No.Train
21:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00

Day 3Hiroshima × Miyajima

09:00📍 Sight
Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Museum
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
Please visit respectfully; there’s often a queue for the museum.
12:00🍽 Food
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
MealLunch
🍜 Must-eat
13:30🚗 Transport
Train + ferry to Miyajima
Type / No.Ferry / boat
A small Miyajima visitor tax applies.
14:30📍 Sight
Itsukushima Shrine & the floating torii
Suggested time3.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
Check the tide table: high tide for the floating look, low tide to walk out to it.
📸 Photo spot
17:30🍽 Food
Grilled oysters & momiji manju
MealCafé / snack
🍜 Must-eat
19:00🚗 Transport
Back to Hiroshima
Type / No.Train

Day 4Okayama × Kurashiki

08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
Shinkansen to Okayama
Type / No.Train
About 40 minutes.
09:30📍 Sight
Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
One of Japan’s three great gardens.
📸 Photo spot
12:00🍽 Food
Okayama fruit parfait
MealLunch
White peach and muscat in season.
🍜 Must-eat
14:00📍 Sight
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Suggested time3 hrs
Take a small boat along the canal.
📸 Photo spot
18:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
19:00🍽 Food
Dinner in Okayama
MealDinner

Day 5Fly home

09:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
10:00🚗 Transport
Fly from Okayama or via Osaka
Type / No.Flight
Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka in ~45 min, then on to Kansai Airport.

🎟 Book these before you go

Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.

🌦 Monthly temperatures: Matsuyama, Onomichi, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Okayama, Kurashiki

City / monthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Matsuyama & Shikoku
High / low
10°
2°
11°
3°
14°
6°
20°
10°
24°
15°
27°
20°
31°
24°
32°
25°
29°
21°
23°
15°
18°
9°
12°
4°
Hiroshima
High / low
10°
2°
11°
3°
14°
6°
20°
10°
24°
15°
27°
20°
31°
24°
33°
25°
29°
21°
23°
15°
17°
9°
12°
4°
Okayama
High / low
9°
1°
10°
1°
14°
4°
20°
9°
25°
14°
28°
19°
32°
24°
33°
25°
29°
21°
23°
14°
17°
8°
11°
3°

(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)

FAQ

How many days does Matsuyama, the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima & Okayama in 5 Days take?

It’s planned as 5 days / 4 nights with 29 stops (8 sights and 7 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.

What should I book in advance?

Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.

How do I make this template my own?

Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.

Make it your trip

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Use this template

Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.

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