30 days in Japan Itinerary

Sitting at the foot of Mount Fuji, Hakone-machi has become a popular retreat from Tokyo for locals and tourists alike.

Shop till you drop at Pola Museum of Art and Hiraiseika Honten. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Tatadohama Beach and Shirahama Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Hakone-machi: Shizuoka (Satta-toge Pass & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine), Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine (in Fujinomiya) and Ito (Omuro Mountain Lift, Mount Omuro, & more). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kinomiya Shrine, take in the dramatic scenery at Kawazu Nanadaru Waterfalls, identify plant and animal life at Aloe no Sato, and take a memorable tour with Tours.

For other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Hakone-machi road trip planning website .

Buenos Aires, Argentina to Hakone-machi is an approximately 29-hour combination of flight and train. You can also fly; or do a combination of bus, flight, and train. The time zone changes from Argentine Time (ART) to Japan Standard Time (JST), which is usually a 12 hour difference. Traveling from Buenos Aires in December, expect Hakone-machi to be cooler, temps between 8°C and 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can drive to Hakuba-mura.

Skiing enthusiasts traveling in Japan should consider a trip to Hakuba-mura: tucked away in the Northern Alps, this village hosted several competitions during the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics.

Get some cultural insight at Hakuba and Hokusai-kan. Popular historic sites such as Togakushi Shrine Okusha and Ganshoin Temple are in your itinerary. Get out of town with these interesting Hakuba-mura side-trips: Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area (in Yamanouchi-machi), Nozawaonsen-mura (Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort & Nozawa Onsen) and Kaichi Gakko Primary School (in Matsumoto). The adventure continues: fly down the slopes at Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, go for a walk through Yuki no Otani, take a memorable drive along Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and contemplate the waterfront views at Mikurigaike Pond.

Make your Hakuba-mura itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

You can drive from Hakone-machi to Hakuba-mura in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a train. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Hakone-machi in December since evenings lows in Hakuba-mura dip to 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to travel to Kanazawa.

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

Do some cultural sightseeing at Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple and Ainokura Gassho Community. Oyama Shrine and Takayama Jinya will appeal to history buffs. Venture out of the city with trips to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (in Katsuyama), Higashiyama Walking Course (in Takayama) and Maruoka Castle (in Sakai). And it doesn't end there: take a memorable drive along Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, examine the collection at D. T. Suzuki Museum, explore the world behind art at Toyama Glass Art Museum, and take in panoramic vistas at Tenshukakau Observatory.

For ratings, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Kanazawa online tour itinerary planner .

Do a combination of bus and train from Hakuba-mura to Kanazawa in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. While traveling from Hakuba-mura, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Kanazawa, ranging from highs of 11°C to lows of 3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) 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.

Escape the urban bustle at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley and Nagata Inakahama. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Yakusugi Land and Pontankan. There's much more to do: admire the sheer force of Oko no Taki Fall, hike along Seibu Trail, and soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens.

To see reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Yakushima-cho online journey planner .

Getting from Kanazawa to Yakushima-cho by combination of train, flight, and taxi takes about 7.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and taxi; or do a combination of train, ferry, and taxi. In January, Yakushima-cho is somewhat warmer than Kanazawa - with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nakijin Castle Ruins and Daisekirinzan. Step out of the city life by going to Scuba & Snorkeling and Okuma Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Onna-son: Kitanakagusuku-son (AEONMALL OKINAWA RYCOM & Nakagusuku Castle Ruins), Cape Hedo (in Kunigami-son) and Okinawa Peace Memorial Park (in Itoman). There's still lots to do: step into the grandiose world of Katsuren Castle Ruins, get outside with Kouri Beach, look for gifts at Onna Station Nakayukui Market, and contemplate the long history of Sefa-Utaki.

To see ratings, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Onna-son online trip maker .

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Yakushima-cho to Onna-son in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and ferry; or do a combination of taxi, ferry, and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Yakushima-cho in January: highs in Onna-son hover around 22°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) 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.

Visiting Kondoi Beach and Stand-Up Paddleboarding will get you outdoors. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Yonehara Beach and Yurateiku Market. Change things up with a short trip to Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Iriomote-jima (about 1h 55 min away). Next up on the itinerary: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, get outside with Cape Hirakubozaki, take in the waterfront at Nishi Pier, and walk around Banna Park.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Ishigaki online itinerary planner .

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Onna-son to Ishigaki takes 5 hours. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Onna-son in January since evenings lows in Ishigaki dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Sunayama Beach and Yabiji. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Aragusuku Beach and Toguchi no Hama. There's still lots to do: take a memorable tour with Tours, head off the coast to Shimojiiima Island, stop by Furusato, and steep yourself in history at Tomori no Amai.

To see where to stay, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Miyakojima trip builder app .

You can fly from Ishigaki to Miyakojima in 2 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Miyakojima can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can travel back home.