22 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 Asakusa Shrine, Nezu Shrine and Hachiko. Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): take in panoramic vistas at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings and then make a trip to Tokyo Tower. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the waterfront views at Sumida River, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Asakusa Shrine, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Senso-ji Temple, don't miss a visit to Nezu Shrine, then admire the natural beauty at Kansenen Park, and finally admire the natural beauty at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

For reviews, maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Tokyo trip generator.

If you are flying in from Germany, the closest major airports are Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Narita International Airport and Hyakuri Airport. In October, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Kamakura.

The coastal town of Kamakura sits close to Tokyo, with the ancient settlement featuring a number of important historical and cultural sites.

On the 2nd (Thu), make a trip to Kōtoku-in, contemplate the long history of Hase-dera Temple, then step off the mainland to explore Enoshima Island, then steep yourself in history at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Kenchoji Temple.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Kamakura vacation builder.

Traveling by car from Tokyo to Kamakura takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train. Traveling from Tokyo in November, expect a bit warmer with lows of 16°C in Kamakura. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Tokyo.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read Tokyo trip planner.

Traveling by car from Kamakura to Tokyo takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train. Traveling from Kamakura in November, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Tokyo, with lows of 11°C. You will leave for Nikko on the 3rd (Fri).

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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): steep yourself in history at Taiyuimbyo Shrine, contemplate the long history of Nikko Futarasan jinja, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nikkō Tōshō-gū.

To find traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Nikko vacation trip planner.

Traveling by car from Tokyo to Nikko takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Tokyo.

To find reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Tokyo trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Nikko to Tokyo in 2 hours. Another option is to take a train. On the 4th (Sat), you're off toFuji.

Fuji is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. On the 4th (Sat), head outdoors with Fujigawa Service Area - Inbound, contemplate the waterfront views at Waketamaike Spring, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha.

To find more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Fuji trip itinerary builder.

You can take a train from Tokyo to Fuji in 1.5 hours. Another option is to drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can take a train to Tokyo.

For more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Tokyo travel itinerary creator.

Traveling by train from Fuji to Tokyo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 5th (Sun) to allow time for the train ride 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.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sun): examine the collection at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Atsuta Jingu.

To see other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Nagoya online itinerary creator.

You can take a train from Tokyo to Nagoya in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. When traveling from Tokyo in November, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Nagoya: temperatures range from 16°C by day to 11°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 6th (Mon) before leaving for Takayama.

Hidden high up in the Japanese Alps, Takayama remained largely cut off from the rest of Japan for centuries, allowing the local culture to grow in relative isolation.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Mon): get a sense of history and politics at Takayama Jinya, then wander the streets of Sanmachi Suji, and then view the masterpieces at Fujii Art Gallery (Fujii Bijutsu Mingei-Kan).

For maps, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Takayama trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Nagoya to Takayama by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Takayama when traveling from Nagoya in November, with lows around 7°C. You will have some time to spend on the 7th (Tue) before leaving for Kanazawa.

An old castle town largely unspoiled during World War II, Kanazawa features well-preserved architecture spread across a range of districts.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Tue): step into the grandiose world of Kanazawa Castle and then contemplate the long history of Higashichaya Old Town.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Kanazawa trip planner.

Traveling by car from Takayama to Kanazawa takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Takayama in November, you will find days in Kanazawa are a bit warmer (18°C), and nights are about the same (9°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can catch the 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.

Popular historic sites such as Nijo Castle and Sanjusangendo Temple are in your itinerary. Do some cultural sightseeing at Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama. When in Kyoto, make a side trip to see Byodoin in Uji, approximately 42 minutes away. There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kinkaku-ji, take a stroll through Gion, steep yourself in history at Heian Shrine, and take in nature's colorful creations at Katsura Imperial Villa.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Kyoto travel itinerary creator.

Take a train from Kanazawa to Kyoto in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In November in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 10°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Koya-cho.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): steep yourself in history at Koyasan Daimon, make a trip to Koyasan Danjo Garan, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kongobu-ji Temple, then take in the awesome beauty at Mount Koyasan, and finally stroll the grounds of Okunoin.

To see traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Koya-cho online itinerary creator.

Traveling by car from Kyoto to Koya-cho takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a train. In November, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive 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.

On the 15th (Wed), find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Japan and then step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Tōdai-ji and then look for all kinds of wild species at Nara Park.

For other places to visit, photos, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Osaka travel planner.

Traveling by car from Koya-cho to Osaka takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Traveling from Koya-cho in November, plan for a bit cooler nights in Osaka, with lows around 10°C. On the 16th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Hiroshima.

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

To find other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Hiroshima tour planner.

You can take a train from Osaka to Hiroshima in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train, flight, and ferry. In November, daily temperatures in Hiroshima can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can take a train to Fukuoka.

The largest city on the island, Fukuoka formed through the merger of two former cities that had grown up either side of the Naka River.

To find more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Fukuoka travel planner.

Getting from Hiroshima to Fukuoka by train takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of ferry and flight. In November in Fukuoka, expect temperatures between 20°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Nagasaki.

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.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Nagasaki travel planner.

Drive from Fukuoka to Nagasaki in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In November, daily temperatures in Nagasaki can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. On the 19th (Sun), you're off toHimeji.

The castle around which the city of Himeji has developed represents one of the best preserved in the country, and has been designated as a national treasure and a World Heritage Site.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Himeji travel planner.

Do a combination of flight and train from Nagasaki to Himeji in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. November in Himeji sees daily highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Tokyo.

On the 20th (Mon), make a trip to Tokyo Central Railway Station, then take a stroll through Odaiba, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Todoroki Valley.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Tokyo itinerary builder.

Traveling by combination of train and flight from Himeji to Tokyo takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.