30 days in New York City, Tokyo & Osaka Itinerary

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

Step out of New York City with an excursion to Bronx Zoo in Bronx--about 36 minutes away. There's still lots to do: take in the pleasant sights at Central Park, appreciate the history behind 9/11 Memorial, enjoy breathtaking views from Empire State Building, and admire the striking features of Grand Central Terminal.

To see maps, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the New York City road trip planning website .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to New York City is an approximately 25-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of bus and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 13 hours traveling from Kuala Lumpur to New York City. In December, New York City is much colder than Kuala Lumpur - with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to travel 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.

Go for a jaunt from Tokyo to Maihama to see Tokyo DisneySea about 30 minutes away. Have a day of magic on the 8th (Wed) at Tokyo Disneyland. The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, examine the collection at Edo-Tokyo Museum, take a stroll through Odaiba, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Sensō-ji.

To find ratings, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Tokyo attractions planner.

You can fly from New York City to Tokyo in 16.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Japan Standard Time (JST) is 14 hours. Traveling from New York City in January, expect Tokyo to be somewhat warmer, temps between 11°C and 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Osaka: Kyoto (Gion, Arashiyama, & more), Higashiyama (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, & more) and Nijo Castle (in Nakagyo). The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Japan, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Senko-ji Temple, and see the interesting displays at Mizuno Sportology Gallery.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Osaka trip app .

Traveling by train from Tokyo to Osaka takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. January in Osaka sees daily highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.