Fushimi Inari at early morning before the crowds arrived was magical, walking through the endless gates together in near silence is a memory that still gives me chills.

Osaka's street food scene alone is worth the whole trip, hands down.

The cities themselves couldn't be faulted, Miyajima especially. But four cities in thirteen nights meant we never quite settled anywhere, and one extra buffer night in the middle would have saved the trip from feeling like a relay.

Watching the tide come in around the floating torii at Miyajima with my husband, just the two of us, ranks as one of our top travel memories ever.

Thirteen nights across four cities is a lot of packing and unpacking. We loved every single city on this route, no regrets there. The pace between Hiroshima and Osaka felt a touch rushed though, barely time to settle before moving again. Would recommend building in one extra buffer day somewhere in the middle for future couples doing this same itinerary.

Premium hotels made this feel like a proper honeymoon upgrade.