25 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.

Samurai Museum and Edo-Tokyo Museum will appeal to museum buffs. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 and Tokyo National Museum. There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, wander the streets of Ginza, and get your game on at Owl cafe Akiba Fukurou.

To find more things to do, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read Tokyo trip itinerary maker website.

Perth, Australia to Tokyo is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Perth to Tokyo. While traveling from Perth, expect much colder days and slightly colder nights in Tokyo, ranging from highs of 19°C to lows of 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to drive to Kawaguchi.

Kawaguchi is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, in the central Kantō region of Japan., the city had an estimated population of 578,727 and a population density of 9340 persons per km². Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Mitsuzoin Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Saifuku-ji Temple, thensee the interesting displays at Visual Museum, thenadmire the masterpieces at Kawaguchi Municipal Art Gallery Atlia, and finally take a stroll around Kawaguchi Lilia.

To see other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Kawaguchi trip itinerary planning app.

You can drive from Tokyo to Kawaguchi in an hour. Expect a daytime high around 19°C in November, and nighttime lows around 11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Nikko.

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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Taiyuimbyo Shrine and Nikko Futarasan jinja. Visiting Ryuzu Waterfall and Yudaki Falls will get you outdoors. There's much more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Kammangafuchi Gorge, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Rinno-ji Temple, take in the pleasant sights at Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, and steep yourself in history at Yomeimon (Main Gate).

To see maps, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Nikko trip site.

Traveling by car from Kawaguchi to Nikko takes 2 hours. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Kawaguchi in November: highs in Nikko hover around 15°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to 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 4th (Wed): soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, admire the striking features of Takayama Jinya, thenget to know the fascinating history of Higashiyama Walking Course, and finally see the interesting displays at Takayama Showa Museum. On the 5th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in panoramic vistas at Tenshukakau Observatory, learn more about the world around you at Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), thenindulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area, and finally browse the eclectic array of goods at Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, use the Takayama trip maker.

Getting from Nikko to Takayama by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Nikko in December, expect slightly colder with lows of 3°C in Takayama. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) so you can go by car 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 6th (Fri): see the interesting displays at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Atsuta Jingu Shrine, wander the streets of Sakae, thenengage your brain at Nagoya City Science Museum, thensee the interesting displays at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Kasuga Shrine.

To find maps, photos, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Nagoya route planner.

You can drive from Takayama to Nagoya in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. December in Nagoya sees daily highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to take a 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Tenryuji Temple. Your inner history buff will appreciate Kinkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji Temple. The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, take in the spiritual surroundings of Eikando Zenrinji Temple, admire the striking features of Ninna-ji Temple, and make a trip to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Kyoto itinerary app.

Traveling by train from Nagoya to Kyoto takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Nagoya in December, you will find days in Kyoto are a bit warmer (13°C), and nights are about the same (4°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) early enough to catch the train 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.

For shopping fun, head to Dotombori District or Midosuji Street. Get a sense of the local culture at Koyasan Okunoin and Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Explore Osaka's surroundings by going to Himeji Castle (in Himeji) and Koyasan Danjo Garan (in Koya-cho). Next up on the itinerary: explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, appreciate the extensive heritage of Hozenji Yokocho, browse the different shops at Aeon Mall Osaka Domecity, and get a taste of the local shopping with Hankyu Umeda Honten.

To find ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Osaka holiday planner.

You can take a train from Kyoto to Osaka in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 13°C, and evening lows to 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Daishoin Temple and JMSDF Kure Museum. You'll explore and learn at Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and Yamato Museum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hiroshima: Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Shrine & Itsukushima Shrine Torii). The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mitaki Temple, contemplate the long history of Atomic Bomb Dome, don't miss a visit to Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, and see the interesting displays at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

For reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Hiroshima day trip planning site.

Traveling by train from Osaka to Hiroshima takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and train. December in Hiroshima sees daily highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Miyakojima.

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

Relax by the water at Toguchi no Hama and Aragusuku Beach. Visiting Scuba & Snorkeling and Shimojiiima Island will get you outdoors. There's much more to do: head off the coast to Irabu-jima Island, visit a coastal fixture at Higashi Hennazaki Lighthouse, get interesting insight from Tours, and look for all kinds of wild species at Yabiji.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima trip builder tool.

You can do a combination of train and flight from Hiroshima to Miyakojima in 5 hours. Another option is to fly. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Hiroshima in December: highs in Miyakojima hover around 25°C, while lows dip to 20°C. You will have some time to spend on the 20th (Fri) before leaving for home.