15 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.

You've added Imperial Palace, Nihon Minkaen Japan Open Air Folk House Museum, Takeshita Street, and other attractions to your itinerary. Your inner history buff will appreciate Kencho-ji Temple and Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple). It doesn't end there: take a stroll through Yanaka.

For reviews, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Tokyo trip itinerary planning app .

San Francisco, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 17 hours traveling from San Francisco to Tokyo. In November, daytime highs in Tokyo are 62°F, while nighttime lows are 49°F. On the 22nd (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Tenryuji Temple and Toji. Do some cultural sightseeing at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Take a break from Kyoto with a short trip to Hikone Castle in Hikone, about 58 minutes away. The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kennin-ji Temple, make a trip to Eikando Zenrinji Temple, steep yourself in history at Tofuku-ji Temple, and take in nature's colorful creations at Nanzen-ji Temple.

To find photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Kyoto tour itinerary builder tool .

Take a train from Tokyo to Kyoto in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 62°F in November, and nighttime lows around 48°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to travel to Tokyo.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Akihabara, Diver City Tokyo Plaza and Kabukicho. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Hozomon and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. When in Tokyo, make a side trip to see Atami Sun Beach in Atami, approximately 1h 30 min away. Enjoy Tokyo some more: wander the streets of Odaiba.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read Tokyo attractions planning app .

You can take a train from Kyoto to Tokyo in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) early enough to travel to Awaji.