12 days in Japan Itinerary

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Fire Museum, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT, and other attractions you added. Explore hidden gems such as Asakusa Shrine and Yanaka. Ueno and Sensō-ji are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's more to do: steep yourself in history at Nezu Shrine.

To find traveler tips, photos, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Tokyo trip planner .

Bengaluru, India to Tokyo is an approximately 15-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from Bengaluru to Tokyo. In September, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to take a train to Nikko.

A gateway to a sprawling and diverse national park, a center of Shinto spiritualism and place of Buddhist worship, an emblem of the riches and dominance of the Tokugawa shogunate: Nikko means many things to many people.

On the 29th (Sun), trek along Odashirogahara, contemplate the long history of Nikko Futarasan Jinja Chugushi Shrine, and then admire the sheer force of Urami Waterfall.

To see where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Nikko online sightseeing planner .

You can take a train from Tokyo to Nikko in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Nikko are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to take a train to Kyoto.

The national capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto retains much of the charm of old Japan, boasting numerous temples and shrines that seem completely untouched by the modern world.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shinnyodo Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamigamo Shrine, then steep yourself in history at Kifune-jinja Shrine, then contemplate the long history of Hosenin, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Enkō-ji Temple.

To see other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Kyoto day trip planning tool .

You can take a train from Nikko to Kyoto in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and flight. Traveling from Nikko in September, you will find days in Kyoto are somewhat warmer (33°C), and nights are about the same (23°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to take a train to Hiroshima.

Grapple with history and appreciate modernity in Hiroshima, a city known around the world for its tragic past and inspiring rebirth.

On the 1st (Tue), get a taste of the local shopping with Kamiyacho, take in the spiritual surroundings of Mitaki Temple, and then don't miss a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Hiroshima tour planner.

Getting from Kyoto to Hiroshima by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In October in Hiroshima, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 19°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) so you can catch the train to Kyoto.

On the 2nd (Wed), stop by Ippodo Tea Kyoto, step into the grandiose world of Nijo Castle, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kinkaku-ji, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gio-ji Temple.

To find more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Kyoto trip planner .

Traveling by train from Hiroshima to Kyoto takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Thu) so you can take a train to Nara.

The country's first established capital, Nara houses some of the most storied buildings and natural attractions in Japan, with eight World Heritage Sites in total.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Toshodaiji Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Joruri Temple, pause for some photo ops at Todai-ji Temple, take an in-depth tour of Nara National Museum, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Nigatsu-do Temple, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Nara Park.

For maps, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Nara online trip builder .

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Nara takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of subway and train. In October, daytime highs in Nara are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to catch the train to Osaka.

Proud of their hometown's distinct culture and dialect, many natives of Osaka describe their city as "Japan's anti-capital." An antidote to Tokyo's hectic energy, Osaka marches to the beat of its own drum, serving as the country's longtime commercial and industrial hub.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Fri): step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle, see the interesting displays at Modern Transportation Museum, then get to know the fascinating history of Hozenji Yokocho, and finally wander the streets of Dotonbori.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Osaka online vacation builder .

You can take a train from Nara to Osaka in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Osaka when traveling from Nara in October, with lows around 17°C. On the 5th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Tokyo.

On the 5th (Sat), steep yourself in history at Hie Jinjya.

For traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo trip planning website .

Getting from Osaka to Tokyo by train takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. On the 6th (Sun), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.