14 days in Japan Itinerary

Ishigaki, the most populous island in the chain, features the country's southernmost city and acts as a transport hub for exploring the landmasses that surround.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Banna Park and Cape Ongazaki. There's still lots to do: take in the waterfront at Nishi Pier, visit a coastal fixture at Cape Hirakubozaki, take in panoramic vistas at Maesedake Observation Site, and kick back and relax at Yonehara Beach.

For reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki road trip planning app .

Jakarta, Indonesia to Ishigaki is an approximately 12.5-hour combination of bus and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Jakarta to Ishigaki is 2 hours. In January, Ishigaki is slightly colder than Jakarta - with highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to ride a ferry to Iriomote-jima.

Taketomicho Iriomote-Jima stands as the second largest island in Okinawa.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Fri): take in the dramatic scenery at Pinaisara Falls, step off the mainland to explore Iriomote Island, and then make a trip to Heritiera Littoralis Tree of Nakama River. Keep things going the next day: admire the sheer force of Mizuochi Falls, take in the pleasant sights at Ruins of Amitory Village, and then scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.

To see where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Iriomote-jima trip planner .

You can ride a ferry from Ishigaki to Iriomote-jima in an hour. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in January, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) so you can catch the ferry to Miyakojima.

A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Shimojiiima Island and Higashi Hennazaki Lighthouse. Next up on the itinerary: snap pictures at Kurima Bridge, don't miss a visit to Ikema Ohashi Bridge, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sunayama Beach, and enjoy the sand and surf at Yonaha Maehama Beach.

For photos, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima trip itinerary builder website .

Traveling by ferry from Iriomote-jima to Miyakojima takes 4 hours. In January, daytime highs in Miyakojima are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to travel to Nakijin-son.

Steeped in Ryukyuan history, Nakijin-son tourism centers around the ruins of an ancient stonewall castle.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Nakijin Castle Ruins, take in the views from Kouri Bridge, and then head off the coast to Kouri-jima Island. On the 17th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: make a trip to Okinawa Memorial Park Ocean Expo Park, meet the residents at Okichan Theater, and then admire the natural beauty at Tropical Dream Center.

For more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read our Nakijin-son tour itinerary builder tool .

Getting from Miyakojima to Nakijin-son by combination of taxi, flight, and bus takes about 4.5 hours. Traveling from Miyakojima in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Nakijin-son, with lows of 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can travel to Nozawaonsen-mura.

Many visitors take a trip to Nozawaonsen-mura, a picturesque hot spring village in Nagano Prefecture, to get away from it all.

On the 18th (Fri), tour the pleasant surroundings at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort and then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa.

For ratings, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, read Nozawaonsen-mura travel planner .

Explore your travel options from Nakijin-son to Nozawaonsen-mura with the Route module. In January, Nozawaonsen-mura is cooler than Nakijin-son - with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can travel to Kutchan-cho.

Kutchan-cho's reputation rests on two things: skiing and potatoes.

On the 19th (Sat), admire the natural beauty at Mishima's Shibazakura Garden and then fly down the slopes at Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu Ski Place.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Kutchan-cho trip planner .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Nozawaonsen-mura to Kutchan-cho. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Nozawaonsen-mura in January: highs in Kutchan-cho hover around -3°C, while lows dip to -6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.