12 days in Japan Itinerary

The hilly port city of Nagasaki has become known internationally as one of the two Japanese cities to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the close of World War II.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Tue): take an in-depth tour of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, see the interesting displays at Nagasaki Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, then take in nature's colorful creations at Glover Garden, then contemplate the long history of Former Glover House, and finally examine the collection at Kyugosho Memorial Exhibit.

For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Nagasaki trip itinerary builder app .

Ubud, Indonesia to Nagasaki is an approximately 14.5-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also do a combination of bus, flight, and train. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Ubud to Nagasaki due to the time zone difference. Expect much colder temperatures when traveling from Ubud in March; daily highs in Nagasaki reach 17°C and lows reach 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Kumamoto.

Centered around its castle, Kumamoto stands as a historic city with plenty of modern-day appeal to add to the mix.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Wed): take in the spiritual surroundings of Catholic Tetori Church, then take an in-depth tour of Newspaper Museum, and then step into the grandiose world of Kumamoto Castle.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Kumamoto online trip maker .

You can do a combination of car and ferry from Nagasaki to Kumamoto in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In March, daily temperatures in Kumamoto can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to travel 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 28th (Thu): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Todai-ji Temple, examine the collection at Todaiji Temple Cultural Center, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kofuku-ji Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kasuga Grand Shrine, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nigatsu-do Temple, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Nara Park.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Nara driving holiday planner.

Traveling by combination of flight, bus, and train from Kumamoto to Nara takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In March, daily temperatures in Nara can reach 16°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) early enough to drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Fri): steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, steep yourself in history at Tofuku-ji Temple, and then contemplate the long history of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kinkaku-ji, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ryoanji Temple, then explore the historical opulence of Nijo Castle, and finally contemplate the long history of Sanjusangendo Temple.

For more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, use the Kyoto trip itinerary site .

Traveling by car from Nara to Kyoto takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and subway. Expect slightly colder evenings in Kyoto when traveling from Nara in March, with lows around 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) to allow time to take a train to Nagoya.

Known nationally as an industrial heartland, Nagoya boasts a far more cosmopolitan and cultural core than its reputation would lead you to believe.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Sun): explore the world behind art at Tokugawa Art Museum, step into the grandiose world of Nagoya Castle, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Atsuta Jingu Shrine, and finally examine the collection at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Nagoya trip itinerary maker app .

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Nagoya takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In March in Nagoya, expect temperatures between 13°C during the day and 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to take a train to Matsumoto.

A castle town, Matsumoto possesses one of the best-preserved feudal structures in the country, and maintains its historical attractions and traditions while simultaneously exuding a modern, cosmopolitan charm.

On the 1st (Mon), take in the pleasant sights at Matsumoto Castle, explore the different monuments and memorials at Koboyama Ancient Tomb, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Zenkyuin Temple, and finally head outdoors with Mt. KItahodaka.

To find ratings, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Matsumoto route maker .

Getting from Nagoya to Matsumoto by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Nagoya in March, plan for little chillier nights in Matsumoto, with lows around 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Hakone-machi.

Sitting at the foot of Mount Fuji, Hakone-machi has become a popular retreat from Tokyo for locals and tourists alike.

On the 2nd (Tue), explore the world behind art at Pola Museum of Art, explore the world behind art at The Hakone Open-Air Museum, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu.

For where to stay and tourist information, read our Hakone-machi trip itinerary planning tool .

Traveling by car from Matsumoto to Hakone-machi takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Matsumoto in April: highs in Hakone-machi hover around 15°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) to allow time to drive to Yokohama.

Once a small fishing town, Yokohama was one of the first ports to welcome foreign trade in the 19th century, after which it grew into Japan's second largest city and a bustling metropolis.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): shop like a local with Yokohama Chinatown, admire the natural beauty at Sankeien Gardens, and then wander the streets of Minato Mirai 21.

To find maps, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Yokohama trip planner.

You can drive from Hakone-machi to Yokohama in 1.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of bus, train, and subway. Traveling from Hakone-machi in April, you will find days in Yokohama are a bit warmer (21°C), and nights are about the same (13°C). Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Chuo.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Chuo vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Chuo is just a stone's throw from Yokohama. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in April, and nighttime lows around 13°C. You'll set off for Tokyo on the 3rd (Wed).

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.

On the 4th (Thu), take a stroll through Odaiba and then shop like a local with Ginza.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Tokyo online sightseeing planner .

Tokyo is very close to Chuo. April in Tokyo sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 5th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.