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.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Minato Mirai 21 and Ginza. Get some cultural insight at Tokyo National Museum and Odaiba. The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Senso-ji Temple, examine the collection at Samurai Museum, get your game on at Owl cafe Akiba Fukurou, and make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Tokyo journey planning website .

Perth, Australia to Tokyo is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Perth to Tokyo. While traveling from Perth, expect cooler days and slightly colder nights in Tokyo, ranging from highs of 19°C to lows of 11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to go by car 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. Start off your visit on the 30th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of Mitsuzoin Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Saifuku-ji Temple, then examine the collection at Visual Museum, then explore the world behind art at Kawaguchi Municipal Art Gallery Atlia, and finally listen to music at Kawaguchi Lilia.

To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Kawaguchi trip maker tool .

Traveling by car from Tokyo to Kawaguchi takes an hour. In November in Kawaguchi, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 11°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sat) so you can 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.

Popular historic sites such as Taiyuimbyo Shrine and Nikko Futarasan jinja are in your itinerary. Get a sense of the local culture at Yudaki Falls and Yomeimon (Main Gate). And it doesn't end there: take in the dramatic scenery at Ryuzu Waterfall, take in the spiritual surroundings of Nikko Tosho-gu, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Chuzenji, and take in the dramatic natural features at Kammangafuchi Gorge.

For maps and other tourist information, use the Nikko trip itinerary tool .

You can drive from Kawaguchi to Nikko in 2 hours. When traveling from Kawaguchi in November, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Nikko: temperatures range from 15°C by day to 13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can go by car 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.

On the 4th (Wed), indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens, take in the spiritual surroundings of Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, then admire the landmark architecture of Takayama Jinya, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Higashiyama Walking Course, and finally examine the collection at Takayama Showa Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy breathtaking views from Tenshukakau Observatory, then get a new perspective on nature at Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), then savor the flavors at Food & Drink, and finally hunt for treasures at Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market.

For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read Takayama travel site .

Traveling by car from Nikko to Takayama takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Takayama when traveling from Nikko in December, with lows around 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Fri): see the interesting displays at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, take in the spiritual surroundings of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, wander the streets of Sakae, then get curious at Nagoya City Science Museum, then see the interesting displays at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kasuga Shrine.

For traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Nagoya trip tool .

Getting from Takayama to Nagoya by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In December in Nagoya, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Tenryuji Temple and Eikando Zenrinji Temple. Popular historic sites such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple are in your itinerary. There's lots more to do: admire the natural beauty at Nanzen-ji Temple, contemplate the long history of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Nishi Honganji.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Kyoto tour itinerary site .

Traveling by train from Nagoya to Kyoto takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Nagoya in December, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Kyoto: temperatures range from 13°C by day to 4°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can 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 Dotonbori or Minami (Namba). Discover out-of-the-way places like Koyasan Okunoin and Koyasan Danjo Garan. Take a break from Osaka with a short trip to Himeji Castle in Himeji, about 1h 20 min away. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, take in the pleasant sights at Midosuji Street, get a taste of the local shopping with Hankyu Umeda Honten, and get to know the fascinating history of Hozenji Yokocho.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Osaka online holiday planner .

Osaka is just a short distance from Kyoto. Expect a daytime high around 13°C in December, and nighttime lows around 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Hiroshima.

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

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Yamato Museum and Mitaki Temple. Get some historical perspective at Daishoin Temple and Peace Flame. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hiroshima: Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Shrine & Itsukushima Shrine Torii) and JMSDF Kure Museum (in Kure). Next up on the itinerary: get engrossed in the history at Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sumiyoshi Shrine, contemplate the long history of Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, and examine the collection at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

For traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Hiroshima sightseeing website .

Traveling by train from Osaka to Hiroshima takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and train. In December, daytime highs in Hiroshima are 13°C, while nighttime lows are 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Miyakojima.

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

We've included these beaches for you: Yonaha Maehama Beach and Sunayama Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Aragusuku Beach and Kayaking & Canoeing. There's much more to do: see the vivid underwater world at Yabiji, get interesting insight from Tours, head off the coast to Shimojiiima Island, and make a trip to East Henna Cape.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Miyakojima day trip planning website .

You can do a combination of train and flight from Hiroshima to Miyakojima in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. While traveling from Hiroshima, expect a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Miyakojima, ranging from highs of 25°C to lows of 20°C. On the 20th (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.