Day by Day

Evening arrival at Narita; private car to the Shinjuku hotel, about 90 minutes

Imperial Palace East Gardens in the morning

Shinjuku Gyoen at opening — 1,000+ cherry trees (¥500 pp)

Reserved seat on the Fuji Excursion limited express, Shinjuku → Mt. Fuji Station — about 1h 53m, all-reserved so seats are booked in advance

Fuji Five Lakes day

Sleep in — no fixed plans

Private pre-booked car, Fujiyoshida → Hakone — about 3 hours at a fixed fare (no direct coach exists on this leg)

Hakone Open-Air Museum — senior-friendly paths and the Picasso Pavilion (¥1,800 pp web ticket)

Hakone Tozan Railway down to Odawara

Kiyomizu-dera on its wooden stage (¥500 pp)

Southern half of the Philosopher's Path

Bamboo Grove early, before the crowds

Lower torii gates at Fushimi Inari, early

Reserved Nozomi Shinkansen, Kyoto → Hiroshima — the first train after 11:00, direct in about 1h 40m

World Heritage Sea Route ferry from the Peace Park pier — direct across the bay, no train change

Shukkei-en garden (¥350 pp)

Reserved Nozomi, Hiroshima → Tokyo — the first train after 11:00, direct in about 3h 50m

Direct highway bus from Tokyo Station both ways (¥1,600 each way)

Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast, early

Private car to Narita, leaving the hotel about 10:30