15 days in Kyoto Prefecture, Hokkaido & Tokyo Prefecture Itinerary

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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Hase-dera Temple and Kurama-dera. Get outdoors at Waterfall of Mino and Mt. Daimonji. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Yamazaki River (in Nagoya), Sakuya Konohanakan (in Osaka) and Tsukiyominomiya (in Ise). There's still lots to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gio-ji Temple, browse for treasures at Kyoto Kimono Rental Sakura, contemplate the long history of Daikaku-ji, and delve into the lush surroundings at Kasugayama.

To see ratings, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Kyoto trip planner .

Mumbai, India to Kyoto is an approximately 15.5-hour combination of flight and train. You can also fly; or do a combination of flight, bus, and train. The time zone changes from India Standard Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually a 3 hour difference. Traveling from Mumbai in December, expect Kyoto to be much colder, temps between 13°C and 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Kutchan-cho.

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

Start off your visit on the 13th (Fri): learn more about the world around you at Kutchan Natural History Museum, then do some two-wheel cruising with White Isle Niseko, then look for all kinds of wild species at Kagaminuma, and finally head outdoors with Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort. Keep things going the next day: have some family-friendly fun at Niseko Kids Club, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, head outdoors with Asahigaoka Ski Areas, then admire the natural beauty at Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, and finally see the interesting displays at Shu Ogawara Museum of Art.

For more things to do, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Kutchan-cho trip itinerary builder app .

You can do a combination of bus, flight, and train from Kyoto to Kutchan-cho in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or take a train. Expect much colder weather when traveling from Kyoto in December: highs in Kutchan-cho hover around 0°C, while lows dip to -2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Shakotan-cho.

Shakotan-cho is a quiet coastal town with sandy beaches, viewing points, and an underwater observatory for spotting salmon and sea urchins.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sun): take in the awesome beauty at Sakotandake, take in the dramatic natural features at Shakotan Peninsula, contemplate the long history of Kamui Misaki Denjidai Trace, then enjoy the sea views from Cape Kamui Lighthouse, then take in the dramatic natural features at Cape Kamui, and finally steep yourself in history at Nishindenshukan Yamashime Banya.

For maps, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Shakotan-cho trip planning website .

Traveling by car from Kutchan-cho to Shakotan-cho takes 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 0°C in December, and nighttime lows around -2°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to travel to Furano.

Situated in the center of the island, Furano has become known for its idyllic rural landscape, and the drastic changes it experiences as seasons shift.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Mon): examine the collection at Kita no Kunikara Museum, then take in panoramic vistas at Rokugo Viewing Platform, then look for gifts at Anpanman Shop Furano, and finally see the interesting displays at Furabi.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Furano online sightseeing planner .

Traveling by car from Shakotan-cho to Furano takes 3.5 hours. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Shakotan-cho in December since evenings lows in Furano dip to -8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can drive to Teshikaga-cho.

A small town amid big scenery, Teshikaga-cho sits in a national park.

On the 17th (Tue), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Mashu, hike along Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail, examine the collection at Taiho Sumo Memorial Museum, then trek along Ponpon Trail, then see the interesting displays at Kawayu Eco Museum Center, and finally take an in-depth tour of Teshikaga Town Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum.

For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Teshikaga-cho trip planner .

You can drive from Furano to Teshikaga-cho in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In December, daily temperatures in Teshikaga-cho can reach 0°C, while at night they dip to -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Rausu-cho.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Wed): Head underground at Maccaus Cave, make a trip to Rausu Seaport, get a new perspective on nature at Rusa Field House, then enjoy the sea views from Rausu Lighthouse, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Rausu Shrine, and finally look for gifts at Michi-no-Eki Rausu Funaki Shop.

To see more things to do, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, use the Rausu-cho trip tool .

You can drive from Teshikaga-cho to Rausu-cho in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 0°C in December, and nighttime lows around -5°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Shari-cho.

Tourism in Shari-cho, a small town situated on Hokkaido's eastern tip, flourishes mainly because of its immediate proximity to the Shiretoko World Heritage Site.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): don't miss a visit to Oshinkosin Observation Deck, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Shari, then admire the masterpieces at Kita no Alp Art Museum, and finally stop by Shari Kobo Shiretokoya.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Shari-cho route planner.

Getting from Rausu-cho to Shari-cho by car takes about 1.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 0°C, and evening lows to -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to travel to Tokyo.

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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Samukawa Shrine and Fire Museum. Get outdoors at Kamakura Hiking Trails and Kiyose Sunflower Farm. Explore Tokyo's surroundings by going to Yokohama Nature Sanctuary (in Sakae) and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (in Koganei). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at Tokyo National Museum The Heiseikan, look for all kinds of wild species at Tokyo Port Wildbird Park, pick up some new knowledge with TOKYO Samurai Kembu, and stroll around Mejiro no Mori.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo road trip site .

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Shari-cho to Tokyo in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and flight; or take a train. When traveling from Shari-cho in December, plan for warmer days in Tokyo, with highs around 14°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 4°C. On the 22nd (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.