30 days in Japan Itinerary

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

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Ainokura Gassho Community and Oyama Shrine. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at D. T. Suzuki Museum and Gokayama. Take a break from Kanazawa with a short trip to Chirihama Nagisa Driveway in Hakui, about 42 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: buy something for everyone on your list at Kanazawa Hyakubangai Shopping Center, admire the landmark architecture of Tsuzumi Gate, wander the streets of Nagamachi Neighborhood, and make a trip to Kanazawa Station.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Kanazawa fast, fun, and easy.

Vancouver, Canada to Kanazawa is an approximately 14-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight, tram, and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 17 hours traveling from Vancouver to Kanazawa. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Vancouver in September; daily highs in Kanazawa reach 30°C and lows reach 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Mon) to allow time to 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Tue): browse the eclectic array of goods at Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market, examine the collection at Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Higashiyama Walking Course, then admire the striking features of Takayama Jinya, and finally stop by Hida Bussankan.

For maps, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Takayama online itinerary planner.

Drive from Kanazawa to Takayama in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in September, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Wed) so you can travel to Hakodate.

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

On the 27th (Wed), boost your wellbeing at Yachigashira Onsen. On your second day here, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Hakodate Orthodox Church, make a trip to Hachimanzaka, take a stroll through Motomachi, then contemplate the long history of The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, and finally stop by Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.

To find reviews, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read our Hakodate trip planner.

You can do a combination of train and flight from Takayama to Hakodate in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Takayama in September, with highs in Hakodate at 26°C and lows at 18°C. On the 29th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Taketomi-jima.

A tiny island in the Yae-yama archipelago, Taketomi-jima enjoys popularity as a beach getaway, best known for its stretches of "star sand"--sand made up of tiny star-shaped exoskeletons of ancient fossils.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sat): head outdoors with Kaiji Beach, take a leisurely stroll along Nishi Pier, then enjoy the sand and surf at Kondoi Beach, and finally see the interesting displays at Taketomi Folk Art Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Kubazaki Beach, then visit Taketomi Submarine Hot Spring, then don't miss a visit to Nagomi Tower, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Island Countryside Settlement.

To see ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Taketomi-jima travel route planner.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Hakodate to Taketomi-jima in 8 hours. In September, Taketomi-jima is a bit warmer than Hakodate - with highs of 37°C and lows of 30°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to catch the ferry to Ishigaki.

Ishigaki, the most populous island in the chain, features the country's southernmost city and acts as a transport hub for exploring the landmasses that surround.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Yurateiku Market and Kayaking & Canoeing. There's lots more to do: stroll around Kabira Park, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory, and visit a coastal fixture at Cape Hirakubozaki.

For more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, use the Ishigaki vacation planner.

Ride a ferry from Taketomi-jima to Ishigaki in an hour. In October in Ishigaki, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 28°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to catch the flight to Miyakojima.

A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Toguchi no Hama and Higashi Hennazaki Lighthouse. Relax by the water at Aragusuku Beach and Hora Gyoko no Hama Beach. Next up on the itinerary: take in panoramic vistas at Ryugujo Observatory, stop by Furusato, snap pictures at Kurima Bridge, and head off the coast to Shimojishima Island.

To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Ishigaki to Miyakojima takes 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 33°C in October, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Naha.

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.

On the 9th (Mon), browse the different shops at Ashibina Outlet Mall, appreciate the history behind Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, and then look for gifts at Onna Station Nakayukui Market. On the 10th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn more about the world around you at Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, browse the different shops at AEONMALL OKINAWA RYCOM, and then take in nature's colorful creations at Fukushu-en Garden.

To find out how to plan a trip to Naha, use our trip itinerary maker.

You can fly from Miyakojima to Naha in 2.5 hours. In October, daytime highs in Naha are 33°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Yakushima-cho.

A popular destination for Japanese tourists, Kumage-gun Yakushima-cho is a true paradise for nature lovers, with over 1,900 species and subspecies of plants.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Wed): admire the sheer force of Janokuchinotaki Falls and then don't miss a visit to Taikoiwa. On the next day, make a trip to Jōmon Sugi, make a trip to Wilson Stump, and then take in breathtaking views at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley.

Make your Yakushima-cho itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by flight from Naha to Yakushima-cho takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Naha in October: high temperatures in Yakushima-cho hover around 30°C and lows are around 23°C. On the 13th (Fri), you'll travel to Hiroshima.

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

Do some cultural sightseeing at Hiroshima Museum of Art and Yamato Museum. Museum-lovers will appreciate JMSDF Kure Museum and Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. Step out of Hiroshima with an excursion to Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni--about 48 minutes away. There's lots more to do: pause for some photo ops at Peace Bell, catch a live event at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, see the interesting displays at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and admire the natural beauty at Shukkei-en Garden.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Hiroshima trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and train from Yakushima-cho to Hiroshima in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, bus, and train; or do a combination of ferry and train. In October, Hiroshima is a bit cooler than Yakushima-cho - with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Yasugi.

Yasugi is a city located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan.As of March 1, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 38,875 and a population density of 92 persons per km². Step off the beaten path and head to Former Taisha Station and Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. Mizuki Shigeru Museum and Shimane Art Museum will appeal to museum buffs. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Yasugi: The Mizuki Shigeru Road (in Sakaiminato), Matsue (Yuushien Garden, Matsue Castle, &more) and Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (in Oda). There's still lots to do: head off the coast to Daikon Island, look for gifts at Jokyu Sea Way Kinnyamonya Center, contemplate the waterfront views at Shinji Lake, and visit a coastal fixture at Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse.

To find traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Yasugi trip planner.

Drive from Hiroshima to Yasugi in 3 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.