29 days in Japan Itinerary

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

Relax by the water at Sunayama Beach and Yonaha Maehama Beach. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Aragusuku Beach and Kayaking & Canoeing. Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Toguchi no Hama, step off the mainland to explore Ikema-jima Island, identify plant and animal life at Yabiji, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see more things to do, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima road trip app .

Melbourne, Australia to Miyakojima is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (Victoria) (AEST) to Japan Standard Time (JST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. When traveling from Melbourne in May, plan for a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Miyakojima: temperatures range from 32°C by day to 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) early enough to travel to Ishigaki.

Ishigaki, the most populous island in the chain, features the country's southernmost city and acts as a transport hub for exploring the landmasses that surround.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Cape Hirakubozaki and Island Countryside Settlement. Family-friendly places like Kondoi Beach and Nakamoto Beach will thrill your kids. When in Ishigaki, make a side trip to see Fuki Beach in Kuro-shima, approximately 1h 05 min away. There's still lots to do: paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, walk around Banna Park, and discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Ishigaki trip maker website .

You can fly from Miyakojima to Ishigaki in 2 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) to allow time to ride a ferry to Iriomote-jima.

Taketomicho Iriomote-Jima stands as the second largest island in Okinawa.

Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Ida no Hama Beach and Hoshisuna Beach. Discover out-of-the-way places like Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Iriomote Island. There's much more to do: admire the sheer force of Pinaisara Falls, get interesting insight from Tours, get outside with Todomari Beach, and kick back and relax at Nakano Beach.

To see where to stay, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Iriomote-jima travel planner .

Getting from Ishigaki to Iriomote-jima by ferry takes about an hour. In May, daytime highs in Iriomote-jima are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Onna-son.

Located on the coast in the middle of the island, Onna-son has become known for its beaches and seaside economy.

Explore hidden gems such as Scuba & Snorkeling and Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. Visit Sefa-Utaki and Nakijin Castle Ruins for their historical value. Change things up with these side-trips from Onna-son: AEONMALL OKINAWA RYCOM (in Kitanakagusuku-son), Motobu-cho (Kame no Hama Beach, Okichan Theater, & more) and Uruma (Kafu Banta & Katsuren Castle Ruins). Next up on the itinerary: don't miss a visit to Onna Station Nakayukui Market.

For ratings, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Onna-son visit planner .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Iriomote-jima to Onna-son. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Iriomote-jima in May; daily highs in Onna-son reach 30°C and lows reach 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) so you can travel to Yakushima-cho.

A popular destination for Japanese tourists, Kumage-gun Yakushima-cho is a true paradise for nature lovers, with over 1,900 species and subspecies of plants.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Fri): take in the dramatic scenery at Oko no Taki Fall, then head outdoors with Nagata Inakahama, and then explore the stunning scenery at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley. On the 16th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the sheer force of Sempiro Falls and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Yakusugi Land.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Yakushima-cho trip planner.

Getting from Onna-son to Yakushima-cho by combination of flight and taxi takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and taxi; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and taxi. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Onna-son in May since evenings lows in Yakushima-cho dip to 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) so you can travel 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 Toji and Hikone Castle. Get some cultural insight at Koyasan Okunoin and Ise Shrine Geku. Venture out of the city with trips to Toba Aquarium (in Toba), Ise (Oharai-machi & Sarutahiko Shrine) and 玄宮園 - Genkyūen Garden 玄宮園 (in Hikone). There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Koyasan Danjo Garan, get to know the fascinating history of Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, explore the activities along Amanohashidate, and steep yourself in history at Ninna-ji Temple.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Kyoto tour itinerary maker app .

Getting from Yakushima-cho to Kyoto by combination of taxi, flight, and bus takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi, ferry, and train; or do a combination of taxi, ferry, bus, and train. In May, daytime highs in Kyoto are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) so you can catch the train to Kanazawa.

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

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple and Ainokura Gassho Community. Kids will appreciate attractions like Chirihama Nagisa Driveway and Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kanazawa: Shirakawa-mura (Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, Tenshukakau Observatory, & more), Maruoka Castle (in Sakai) and Gokayama (in Nanto). The adventure continues: contemplate the long history of Oyama Shrine, see the interesting displays at D. T. Suzuki Museum, and make a trip to Tsuzumi Gate.

To see more things to do, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Kanazawa vacation planner.

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Kanazawa takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. While traveling from Kyoto, expect little chillier days and about the same nights in Kanazawa, ranging from highs of 26°C to lows of 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Hase-dera Temple and Nezu Shrine. Shop till you drop at Pola Museum of Art and Minato Mirai 21. Get out of town with these interesting Tokyo side-trips: Kamogawa Sea World (in Kamogawa), Narita (Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple & Naritasan Omote Sando) and Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu (in Hakone-machi). There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Zojo-ji Temple, get interesting insight from Tours, let little ones run wild at Hitachi Seaside Park, and wander the streets of Ueno.

For traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Tokyo visit app .

You can take a train from Kanazawa to Tokyo in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. Traveling from Kanazawa in May, Tokyo is a bit warmer at night with lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.