30 days in Japan Itinerary

Naha, the capital of Okinawa, has deep roots: Stone Age relics have been found in the city, and through the Middle Ages it rose in importance in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Change things up with these side-trips from Naha: Nirai Beach (in Yomitan-son), Motobu-cho (Okinawa Memorial Park Ocean Expo Park & Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium), Onna-son (Blue Cave & Cape Manza) and Okinawa World Bunka Okoku Gyokusendo (in Nanjo). And it doesn't end there: stroll through Shurijo Castle, take in panoramic vistas at Naha Airport, contemplate the long history of Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, and take in nature's colorful creations at Fukushu-en Garden.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, use the Naha itinerary maker.

Vancouver, Canada to Naha is an approximately 19.5-hour combination of car and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 17 hours traveling from Vancouver to Naha. When traveling from Vancouver in September, plan for somewhat warmer days and warmer nights in Naha: temperatures range from 35°C by day to 30°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Go for a jaunt from Nagasaki to Sasebo to see Huis Ten Bosch about 1h 15 min away. There's still lots to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Glover Garden, get engrossed in the history at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Inasa, and take in panoramic vistas at Inasayama Observation Deck.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read our Nagasaki itinerary planner.

Getting from Naha to Nagasaki by combination of taxi, flight, and train takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and train. Traveling from Naha in September, Nagasaki is slightly colder at night with lows of 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) to allow time to travel 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.

On the 1st (Sun), make a trip to Shoshazan Engyoji, then take in nature's colorful creations at Kokoen Garden, then contemplate the long history of Himeji Castle, and finally don't miss a visit to Otemae Street. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Ruins of Akashi Castle, then make a trip to Awaji Highway Oasis, then take some stellar pictures from Awaji Hanasajiki, and finally snap pictures at Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

To see traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Himeji sightseeing planner.

You can do a combination of taxi, flight, and train from Nagasaki to Himeji in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In October, daytime highs in Himeji are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) to allow time to take a train to Hiroshima.

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Hiroshima: Yamato Museum (in Kure) and Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Shrine, Senjokaku, & more). And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, pause for some photo ops at Children's Peace Monument, admire all the interesting features of Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, and don't miss a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Hiroshima itinerary builder.

You can take a train from Himeji to Hiroshima in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train, bus, flight, taxi, and ferry. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Himeji in October since evenings lows in Hiroshima dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Kyoto: Osaka (Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Dotonbori, & more). There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera, browse the different shops at Kyoto Station Building, get outside with Arashiyama, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kinkaku-ji.

For ratings, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Kyoto trip generator.

You can take a train from Hiroshima to Kyoto in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of ferry, taxi, flight, bus, and train. In October, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) to allow 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Kanazawa side-trips: Shirakawa-mura (The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Traditional Houses in the Gassho Style, Wada House, & more), Chirihama Nagisa Driveway (in Hakui) and Amaharashi Coast (in Takaoka). There's lots more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Kenrokuen Garden, explore the world behind art at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, admire the landmark architecture of Kanazawa Station, and don't miss a visit to Seisonkaku Villa.

For traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, go to the Kanazawa itinerary maker.

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Kanazawa takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. October in Kanazawa sees daily highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) 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.

Have a day of magic on the 20th (Fri) at Tokyo Disneyland. There's lots more to do: admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower, examine the collection at Edo-Tokyo Museum, shop like a local with Tsukiji Market, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sensō-ji.

To find ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Tokyo online itinerary creator.

Traveling by train from Kanazawa to Tokyo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, taxi, flight, and bus; or drive. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Kanazawa in October since evenings lows in Tokyo dip to 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can travel back home.