33 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.

Have a day of magic on the 20th (Mon) at Tokyo Disneyland. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, take a stroll through Odaiba, see the interesting displays at Edo-Tokyo Museum, and admire the striking features of Tokyo Skytree.

For maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Tokyo online journey planner .

Brisbane, Australia to Tokyo is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) to Japan Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In May, daily temperatures in Tokyo can reach 28°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) to allow time to travel to Matsumae-cho.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hogenji Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kouzenji Temple, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Matsumae Jinja Shrine, then explore the historical opulence of Matsumae Castle, and finally let little ones run wild at Matsumae Park.

To see ratings, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Matsumae-cho trip itinerary planning tool .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Tokyo to Matsumae-cho. Traveling from Tokyo in May, expect Matsumae-cho to be a bit cooler, temps between 18°C and 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can travel to Sapporo.

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

On the 23rd (Thu), tour the pleasant surroundings at Otaru Canal, take in the architecture and design of Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus, then take a stroll around Sapporo Underground Pedestrian Space, and finally get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Fri): make a trip to Clock Tower (Tokei-dai), then take in panoramic vistas at Sapporo JR Tower Observatory T38, then walk around Odori Park, and finally fly down the slopes at Mt. Okura Observatory.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read Sapporo road trip site .

Traveling by car from Matsumae-cho to Sapporo takes 5.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in May, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to travel to Matsumoto.

A castle town, Matsumoto possesses one of the best-preserved feudal structures in the country, and maintains its historical attractions and traditions while simultaneously exuding a modern, cosmopolitan charm.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Sat): explore the historical opulence of Matsumoto Castle, then look for gifts at Hanakomichi, and then examine the collection at Matsumoto City Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Sun): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Jonen and then stroll around Azumino Chihiro Park.

Start your trip to Matsumoto by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Traveling by flight from Sapporo to Matsumoto takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or take a train. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Sapporo in May, with highs in Matsumoto at 26°C and lows at 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Mon): contemplate the long history of Takayama Jinya, then examine the collection at Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, then take an in-depth tour of Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses. Keep things going the next day: take an in-depth tour of Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), explore the world behind art at Hida Takayama Museum of Art, see the interesting displays at Hirata Folk Art Museum (Hirata Kinen-kan), take an in-depth tour of Hida Folk Archeological Museum (Hida Minzoku Kokokan), then take a stroll through Sanmachi Suji, and finally walk around Shiroyama Park.

To see reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Takayama travel planner.

Getting from Matsumoto to Takayama by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In May, daytime highs in Takayama are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Kanazawa.

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

On the 29th (Wed), make a trip to Omicho Market, see the interesting displays at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts, then take in nature's colorful creations at Kenrokuen Garden, then contemplate the long history of Kanazawa Castle, and finally wander the streets of Higashichaya Old Town. On the next day, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ninja Temple, contemplate the long history of Nomura Family Samurai House, admire the striking features of Kanazawa Station, stop by MIKOTO Tea House, then make a trip to Seisonkaku Villa, and finally admire the masterpieces at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read Kanazawa itinerary planning tool .

Traveling by car from Takayama to Kanazawa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In May in Kanazawa, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) so you can 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.

Kyoto is known for historic sites, shopping, classes, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, steep yourself in history at Sanjusangendo Temple, go for a walk through Arashiyama, and step into the grandiose world of Nijo Castle.

To find where to stay, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Kyoto online travel planner .

You can take a train from Kanazawa to Kyoto in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In May in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Nara.

The country's first established capital, Nara houses some of the most storied buildings and natural attractions in Japan, with eight World Heritage Sites in total.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): take in the spiritual surroundings of Kofuku-ji Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kasuga Grand Shrine, walk around Nara Park, then see the interesting displays at Todaiji Temple Cultural Center, and finally pause for some photo ops at Todai-ji Temple. On the 4th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the local highlights with Walking tours, explore the activities along Saho River, then take in the pleasant sights at Ishitera Tea Plantation, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Jindoji Temple.

For photos, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Nara tour itinerary website .

Getting from Kyoto to Nara by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of subway and train. In June, daytime highs in Nara are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) early enough to go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Wed): get a taste of the local shopping with Dotonbori and then find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Japan. Keep things going the next day: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, then explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, then examine the collection at Museum of Oriental Ceramics, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Kuchu Teien Observatory.

To see where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Osaka trip itinerary maker app .

Osaka is just a short distance from Nara. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Nara in June since evenings lows in Osaka dip to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) to allow time to drive 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 7th (Fri): admire the natural beauty at Koko-en Garden, explore the historical opulence of Himeji Castle, then make a trip to Shoshazan Engyoji, and finally walk around Kunimi no Mori Park. On your second day here, don't miss a visit to Nishi no Maru Nagatsubone, then steep yourself in history at Yoneda Taishiji Temple, then take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Takamikura, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Jodoji Temple.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Himeji trip itinerary maker site .

You can drive from Osaka to Himeji in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a train. While traveling from Osaka, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Himeji, ranging from highs of 28°C to lows of 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can catch the train to Hiroshima.

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

Start off your visit on the 9th (Sun): pause for some photo ops at Children's Peace Monument, then contemplate the long history of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and then examine the collection at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Itsukushima Shrine, then contemplate the long history of Itsukushima Shrine Torii, then appreciate the history behind Atomic Bomb Dome, and finally explore the historical opulence of Hiroshima Castle.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Hiroshima trip simple and quick.

You can take a train from Himeji to Hiroshima in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In June, daily temperatures in Hiroshima can reach 30°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) to allow time to take a train to Fukuoka.

The largest city on the island, Fukuoka formed through the merger of two former cities that had grown up either side of the Naka River.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Tue): admire the masterpieces at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, enjoy breathtaking views from Komenoyama Obsevatory, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dazaifu Temmangu, then admire the natural beauty at Komyozen-ji Temple, and finally walk around Yasu Kogen Kinen no Mori. Here are some ideas for day two: take an in-depth tour of Fukuoka City Archaeology Center, then browse the fresh offerings at Osakana Tengoku, then let little ones run wild at Ohori Park, and finally browse the different shops at Tenjin Underground Shopping Center.

For where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Fukuoka trip planner.

Take a train from Hiroshima to Fukuoka in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. June in Fukuoka sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Nagasaki.

The hilly port city of Nagasaki has become known internationally as one of the two Japanese cities to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the close of World War II.

Explore Nagasaki's surroundings by going to Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Amakusa) and Huis Ten Bosch (in Sasebo). There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, walk around Nagasaki Peace Park, take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Inasa, and admire the natural beauty at Glover Garden.

For photos, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Nagasaki vacation planning tool .

You can drive from Fukuoka to Nagasaki in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in June, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.