37 days in Japan Itinerary

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

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hiroshima: Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Shrine & Miyajima). There's lots more to do: examine the collection at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, pause for some photo ops at The Cenotaph, contemplate the long history of Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, and admire the masterpieces at Hiroshima Museum of Art.

To see photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read Hiroshima road trip planner .

Dhaka City, Bangladesh to Hiroshima is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from Dhaka City to Hiroshima. In March in Hiroshima, expect temperatures between 16°C during the day and 6°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Fukuoka: Dazaifu (Dazaifu Tenman-gu & Komyozen-ji Temple), Kumamoto (Kumamoto Castle, Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto, & more) and Ikazuchi Shrine (in Itoshima). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, enjoy breathtaking views from Komenoyama Obsevatory, see the interesting displays at Koishiwarayaki Traditional Industry Plaza, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Ohori Park.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Fukuoka online trip itinerary builder .

You can take a train from Hiroshima to Fukuoka in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In March, daily temperatures in Fukuoka can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to go by car to Beppu.

The resort town of Beppu puts the geothermal nature of the region to good use.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): take an in-depth tour of Usa City Peace Museum, experience rural life at Senzai Farm, then get engrossed in the history at Oita Prefectural Museum of History, then take in breathtaking views at Tashibu no Sato Sannomiya no Kei, and finally witness a stunning natural landmark at Hells of Beppu. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the activities along Shidakako Lake, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Kinrin, then appreciate the views at Takkiri Valley, and finally stop by Angel Kimono Rental Beppu.

To see photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Beppu vacation planner .

Traveling by car from Fukuoka to Beppu takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In March in Beppu, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Osaka: Himeji (Himeji Castle & Koko-en Garden) and Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (in Chuo). And it doesn't end there: get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Japan, have some family-friendly fun at Sunset Owl Cafe, step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle, and see the interesting displays at Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum.

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

Traveling by flight from Beppu to Osaka takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In March, plan for daily highs up to 16°C, and evening lows to 5°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to 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.

Step out of Kyoto with an excursion to Todai-ji Temple in Nara--about 1 hour away. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, make a trip to Nishiki Market Shopping District, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ginkakuji Temple, and step into the grandiose world of Nijo Castle.

To find reviews, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Kyoto trip site .

Kyoto is just a short distance from Osaka. Expect a daytime high around 16°C in March, and nighttime lows around 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) to allow enough time to 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.

On the 1st (Wed), steep yourself in history at Nomura Family Samurai House, don't miss a visit to Omicho Market, step into the grandiose world of Kanazawa Castle, then admire the natural beauty at Kenrokuen Garden, and finally see the interesting displays at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire the verdant scenery at Aratama Valley, admire the striking features of Kanazawa Station, take a stroll through Higashichaya Old Town, explore the world behind art at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, then make a trip to Seisonkaku Villa, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Ninja Temple.

To find traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Kanazawa journey builder tool .

Take a train from Kyoto to Kanazawa in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Kyoto in March, plan for slightly colder days in Kanazawa, with highs around 13°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Takayama: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (in Tateyama-machi), Matsumoto (Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum (Matsumoto Mingei-kan) & Matsumoto Castle) and Shirakawa-mura (Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen & The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses). There's lots more to do: admire the landmark architecture of Takayama Jinya, admire the masterpieces at Hida Takayama Museum of Art, make a trip to Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), and examine the collection at Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall.

To find reviews, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Takayama trip planner .

Drive from Kanazawa to Takayama in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In April, daytime highs in Takayama are 20°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Kurobe.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Mon): see human ingenuity at work at Unazuki Dam, take in the natural beauty of Kanetsuri Hot Spring, then take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Shirouma, then take in the awesome beauty at Mount. Tsurugi, and finally snap pictures at Okukane-Kyo Bridge. Keep things going the next day: examine the collection at YKK Center Park, engage your brain at Kurobe Yoshida Science Museum, then steep yourself in history at Higashi Mikkaichi Station Ekisha, then explore the striking landscape at Shinyamabiko Bridge, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Yamabiko Lookout.

To find where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Kurobe trip planner.

Getting from Takayama to Kurobe by car takes about 2.5 hours. In April, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Toyama.

The center of Japan's pharmaceutical industry, the city of Toyama draws visitors with its scenic surroundings overlooked by the Japan Alps.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): don't miss a visit to Toyama City Office View Tower, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sotoshu Chokeiji Temple, admire the striking features of Former Uchiyama Residence, then stroll around Fugan Unga Kansui Park, and finally explore the world behind art at Toyama Glass Art Museum. On the 9th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Zuiryuji Temple, contemplate the long history of Ikadai Residence, then take in the exciting artwork at Gallery Otera, then do a tasting at Yamafuji Vineyard & Horizon Winery, and finally examine the collection at Rakusuitei Art Museum.

For photos, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Toyama road trip planning website .

You can drive from Kurobe to Toyama in an hour. In April, daily temperatures in Toyama can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to catch the train to Nagano.

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

Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, identify plant and animal life at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, then get outside with Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area, and finally get outside with Mt.Takatsuma. Keep things going the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Zenko-ji Temple, relax in the rural setting at Kobayashi Farm, don't miss a visit to Teramachi Shoka (Former Kanehako Residence), then don't miss a visit to Old Mejima Residence, and finally steep yourself in history at Matsushiro.

To see photos, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Nagano trip planning app .

You can take a train from Toyama to Nagano in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. April in Nagano sees daily highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can 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.

Tokyo is known for historic sites, shopping, parks, museums, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, admire the striking features of Imperial Palace, and take some stellar pictures from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read Tokyo journey planner.

You can take a train from Nagano to Tokyo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in April, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can drive to Tateyama.

Tateyama is a city located in southern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. On the 15th (Wed), don't miss a visit to Nagoji Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tateyama Shrine, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Nokogiri, then enjoy breathtaking views from Nokogiriyama Nihonji Tenbodai, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Iyogatake. On the 16th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: observe the fascinating underwater world at Kamogawa Sea World, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mitsuishiyama Kannon-ji Temple, and then take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Miura Fuji.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, use the Tateyama route planner.

Traveling by car from Tokyo to Tateyama takes 2 hours. When traveling from Tokyo in April, plan for a bit cooler days in Tateyama, with highs around 19°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can travel to Fujikawaguchiko-machi.

A resort town located in the foothills of Mount Fuji, Fujikawaguchiko-machi acts as a base for many who plan to take one of the trails up the iconic volcano.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Fujikawaguchiko-machi: Gotemba Premium Outlets (in Gotemba), Hakone-machi (Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), & more) and Fujinomiya (Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine & Kengamine). There's much more to do: stroll through Mount Fuji, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Kawaguchi, stroll around Arakurayama Sengen Park, and explore the striking landscape of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

For other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read our Fujikawaguchiko-machi sightseeing planner .

Traveling by car from Tateyama to Fujikawaguchiko-machi takes 3.5 hours. In April, Fujikawaguchiko-machi is little chillier than Tateyama - with highs of 15°C and lows of 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.