12 days in East Asia Itinerary

The port city of Otaru has long attracted domestic visitors, drawn in by the city's many historic buildings, and has started to garner international attention, too.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): steep yourself in history at The Site of Temiya Line, then contemplate the waterfront views at Otaru Canal, and then find something for the whole family at Otaru Denuki Koji.

To find ratings, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Otaru trip planner.

Bangkok, Thailand to Otaru is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Indochina Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Traveling from Bangkok in April, things will get much colder in Otaru: highs are around 9°C and lows about 7°C. On the 11th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Noboribetsu.

Perhaps the island's best-known hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has a long history of tourism.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): take in the dramatic natural features at Jigokudani, pause for some photo ops at Daimoku Stone, and then don't miss a visit to Cape Chikyu.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Noboribetsu trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Otaru to Noboribetsu by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Otaru in April, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Noboribetsu, with lows of 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Furano.

Situated in the center of the island, Furano has become known for its idyllic rural landscape, and the drastic changes it experiences as seasons shift.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): fly down the slopes at Furano Ski Resort and then don't miss a visit to Ningle Terrace.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read Furano online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Noboribetsu to Furano takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In April, daily temperatures in Furano can reach 11°C, while at night they dip to 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Asahikawa.

Perched on the confluence of four rivers and surrounded by green hills, Asahikawa combines a modern city experience with the pristine nature nearby.

Asahiyama Zoo has been added to your itinerary. On the 12th (Sun), get to know the resident critters at Asahiyama Zoo, then don't miss a visit to Asahikawa Station, and then browse the different shops at AEON MALL Asahikawa Ekimae.

To see ratings, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Asahikawa trip planner.

Traveling by car from Furano to Asahikawa takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Furano in April since evenings lows in Asahikawa dip to 6°C. You'll set off for Higashikawa-cho on the 13th (Mon).

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): explore the activities along Sugatami no Ike Lake and then soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens. On the 14th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Horoka Station Ruin, visit Mikuni Pass, then admire the engineering at Taisetu Dam, then take in the awesome beauty at Kurodake, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Oyuki Morino Garden.

To find photos, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, read Higashikawa-cho trip maker tool.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Asahikawa to Higashikawa-cho. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Higashikawa-cho when traveling from Asahikawa in April, with lows around 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 15th (Wed) to allow time for 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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Sapporo Beer Museum and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Hokkaido Shrine Tongu.

For reviews, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Sapporo trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Higashikawa-cho to Sapporo. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Higashikawa-cho in April since evenings lows in Sapporo dip to 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can travel to Maihama.

On the 17th (Fri), find something for the whole family at Tokyo Disneyland. Here are some ideas for day two: stroll around Sakura Hiroba, don't miss a visit to Sapporo Beer Chiba Factory, take in panoramic vistas at I-link Town Observatory, then buy something for everyone on your list at Ikspiari, then find something for the whole family at Tokyo DisneySea, and finally look for gifts at Bon Voyage.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Maihama online trip builder.

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Sapporo to Maihama takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In April, Maihama is a bit warmer than Sapporo - with highs of 20°C and lows of 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Gotemba.

Trips to Gotemba, a city at the foot of Mount Fuji, offer plenty of opportunities to admire Japan's most famous natural feature.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sun): stroll through Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika.

For ratings and tourist information, go to the Gotemba travel itinerary planner.

Drive from Maihama to Gotemba in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Maihama in April; daily highs in Gotemba reach 15°C and lows reach 13°C. You will have some time to spend on the 19th (Sun) before leaving for 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.

On the 19th (Sun), get engrossed in the history at Edo-Tokyo Museum.

To find photos, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Tokyo trip maker.

You can drive from Gotemba to Tokyo in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Gotemba in April, expect nights in Tokyo to be about the same, around 12°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to fly back home.