26 days in Japan Itinerary

Pilgrims and aviators come to Narita, a town known during the Edo period for its temple, and now known primarily for its airport.

For other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Narita online trip itinerary builder .

Prince George, Canada to Narita is an approximately 20-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Prince George to Narita, you'll lose 17 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Prince George in November, plan for warmer days and a bit warmer nights in Narita: temperatures range from 19°C by day to 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a train 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.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Ghibli Museum Mitaka, Imperial Palace and Rikugien Garden. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Kencho-ji Temple and Ugafuku Shrine ( Goddess of Money Washing). Get some historical perspective at Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple) and Kokyo Gaien National Garden. Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Sensō-ji and kick back and relax at Odaiba Kaihin Koen (Odaiba Seaside Park).

For maps, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Tokyo trip itinerary builder site .

Traveling by train from Narita to Tokyo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or drive. In November, daily temperatures in Tokyo can reach 19°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. You'll set off for Nikko on the 23rd (Sat).

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.

To see photos, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Nikko journey planner .

Take a train from Tokyo to Nikko in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Tokyo in November: highs in Nikko hover around 15°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) so you can go by car to Nagano.

Near the confluence of the Chikuma and Sai rivers, Nagano combines historic sites with nearby forested alps dotted with shrines.

Ganshoin Temple and Togakushi Jinja Hokosha will appeal to history buffs. Get a sense of the local culture at Zenko-ji Temple and Nunobiki Kannon. Step out of Nagano with an excursion to Myoko Kogen in Myoko--about 56 minutes away. There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Matsushiro, take an in-depth tour of Togakushi Folk Museum Togakushi Ninja Museum, don't miss a visit to Sanada House, and identify plant and animal life at Iizuna Highlands Oyachi Marsh.

For traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read Nagano driving holiday app .

You can drive from Nikko to Nagano in 3.5 hours. Another option is to take a train. Traveling from Nikko in November, Nagano is little chillier at night with lows of 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) so you can take a train to Kanazawa.

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

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Thu): explore the world behind art at Kanazawa Noh Museum, contemplate the long history of Kanazawa Castle, examine the collection at Kanazawa Phonograph Museum, then steep yourself in history at Higashichaya Old Town, and finally admire the masterpieces at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. On the 29th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the spiritual surroundings of Natadera Temple, then stroll through Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, and then explore the world behind art at Toyama Glass Art Museum.

To find more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Kanazawa day trip planning site .

You can take a train from Nagano to Kanazawa in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or drive. In November, daily temperatures in Kanazawa can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Fri) 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.

You've now added Arashiyama to your itinerary. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Tofuku-ji Temple and Kodai-ji Temple. Get a sense of the local culture at Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kennin-ji Temple. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Ise (Ise Shrine Geku & Oharai-machi) and Nara (Nigatsu-do Temple, Nara Park, & more). There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Toji, don't miss a visit to Eikando Zenrinji Temple, take a stroll through Gion, and steep yourself in history at Ninna-ji Temple.

To find photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Kyoto trip builder .

You can take a train from Kanazawa to Kyoto in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. December in Kyoto 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 take a train to Himeji.

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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Tue): steep yourself in history at Yoneda Taishiji Temple, see the interesting displays at Japan Toy Museum, then take in the pleasant sights at Himeji Castle, then contemplate the long history of Nishi no Maru, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Nagoyama Reien Busharito.

To see reviews, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read Himeji vacation maker .

Take a train from Kyoto to Himeji in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Himeji can reach 13°C, while at night they dip to 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) to allow time to travel 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Hase-dera Temple and Hozenji Yokocho. Get some historical perspective at Toshodai-ji Temple and Omiwa Shrine. Take a break from Osaka with a short trip to Tanzan Shrine in Sakurai, about 1h 15 min away. And it doesn't end there: wander the streets of Dotonbori, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hōzen-ji Temple, and see the interesting displays at Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum.

To find reviews, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Osaka day trip planning website .

You can take a train from Himeji to Osaka in an hour. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Osaka can reach 13°C, while at night they dip to 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) 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.

On the 8th (Sun), contemplate the long history of Itsukushima Shrine, stroll through Mikasahama Beach, and then step off the mainland to explore Miyajima. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Mon): see the interesting displays at JMSDF Kure Museum, steep yourself in history at Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mitaki Temple, and finally contemplate the long history of Atomic Bomb Dome.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, read Hiroshima 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 10th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a train to Okayama.

A major transit hub in western Japan, Okayama provides a convenient mid-point between Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Tue): head off the coast to Inujima, step into the grandiose world of Okayama Castle, then admire the masterpieces at Yumeji Art Museum (Yumeji-Kyodo Bijutsukan), and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kibitsuhiko Shrine. Keep things going the next day: admire the natural beauty at Okayama Korakuen Garden, see the interesting displays at Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Bicchukokubunji Temple.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Okayama trip planner .

Traveling by train from Hiroshima to Okayama takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 10°C in December, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can travel to Tokyo.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Ghibli Museum Mitaka, Imperial Palace and Rikugien Garden. Start off your visit on the 12th (Thu): stroll around Rikugien Garden, then ponder the world of politics at Imperial Palace, then explore the world behind art at Ghibli Museum Mitaka, and finally contemplate the long history of Nezu Shrine.

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

Getting from Okayama to Tokyo by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. When traveling from Okayama in December, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Tokyo: temperatures range from 14°C by day to 4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can travel back home.