37 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Tokyo National Museum and Asakusa. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Ginza and Omotesando. There's still lots to do: take an in-depth tour of Edo-Tokyo Museum, admire the striking features of Tokyo Central Railway Station, wander the streets of Odaiba District, and get a sense of history and politics at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.

For reviews, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Tokyo driving holiday tool.

Vancouver, Canada to Tokyo is an approximately 13-hour flight. You'll lose 17 hours traveling from Vancouver to Tokyo due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Vancouver in September; daily highs in Tokyo reach 32°C and lows reach 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to fly 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 Aragusuku Beach and Sunayama Beach. Relax by the water at Toguchi no Hama and Kagimmi-hama Beach. There's lots more to do: visit a coastal fixture at Higashi Hennazaki Lighthouse, snap pictures at Irabu Ohashi, enjoy the sand and surf at Tomori Imugya Beach, and get outside with Nagamahama Beach Coast.

To see reviews, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Miyakojima trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by flight from Tokyo to Miyakojima takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Tokyo in September, expect Miyakojima to be somewhat warmer, temps between 36°C and 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Cape Hirakubozaki and Ishigaki Yaima Village are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Yonehara Beach and Fusaki Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ishigaki: Iriomote-jima (Pinaisara Falls & Hoshisuna Beach) and Nakamoto Beach (in Kuro-shima). Next up on the itinerary: get interesting insight from Tours, take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory, stroll around Kabira Park, and get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find photos, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Ishigaki tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Miyakojima to Ishigaki by flight takes about 2.5 hours. In October in Ishigaki, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to fly 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.

Head to Onna Station Nakayukui Market and Ashibina Outlet Mallfor some retail therapy. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters. Explore Naha's surroundings by going to AEONMALL OKINAWA RYCOM (in Kitanakagusuku-son), Tokashiki-son (Aharen Beach & Tokashiku Beach) and Furuzamami Beach (in Zamami-son). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at The Tower of Himeyuri, appreciate the extensive heritage of Shurijo Castle, get a new perspective on nature at Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, and visit Yukura.

To see where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Naha trip itinerary planning app.

Getting from Ishigaki to Naha by flight takes about 2.5 hours. In October, daily temperatures in Naha can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 28°C. On the 11th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly to Hiroshima.

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

Let the collections at Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and Yamato Museum capture your imagination. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to JMSDF Kure Museum and Mt. Misen. Step out of Hiroshima with an excursion to Miyajima in Hatsukaichi--about 48 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: get engrossed in the history at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, appreciate the history behind The Cenotaph, steep yourself in history at Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, and catch a live event at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Hiroshima day trip planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Naha to Hiroshima takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and train; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and train. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Naha in October; daily highs in Hiroshima reach 26°C and lows reach 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Discover out-of-the-way places like Eikando Zenrinji Temple and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. When in Kyoto, make a side trip to see Dotombori District in Dotombori, approximately Dotombori away. And it doesn't end there: make a trip to Nijo Castle, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ryoanji Temple, browse the eclectic array of goods at Nishiki Market Shopping District, and get to know the resident critters at Monkey Park Iwatayama.

To see reviews, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Kyoto day trip website.

You can take a train from Hiroshima to Kyoto in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. October in Kyoto sees daily highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Toyooka.

A vacation in Toyooka lets you explore the UNESCO Global Geopark that completely surrounds the small town, notable for its scenic islands, rock formations, caves, and sand dunes.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to The Sand Museum and Street of Kinosaki Onsen. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Himeji Castle and Ine no Funaya. Explore Toyooka's surroundings by going to Shirahara Kamogaiso Rocky Shore (in Iwami-cho), Takeda Castle Ruins (in Asago) and Amanohashidate (in Miyazu). There's lots more to do: indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens, enjoy the sand and surf at Hacchohama Kobama Beach, and get outside with Hamazume Beach.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Toyooka trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Kyoto to Toyooka takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Kyoto in October, expect nights in Toyooka to be about the same, around 17°C, while days are little chillier, around 23°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Ainokura Gassho Community. Do some cultural sightseeing at D. T. Suzuki Museum and Gokayama. Get out of town with these interesting Kanazawa side-trips: Chirihama Nagisa Driveway (in Hakui), Sakai (Tojimbo Cliff & Maruoka Castle) and Shirakawa-mura (Ogimachi Castle Old Site Observatory, Wada House, &more). Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple, contemplate the long history of Nomura Family Samurai House, take a stroll through Nagamachi Neighborhood, and admire the striking features of Tsuzumi Gate.

Make your Kanazawa itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Drive from Toyooka to Kanazawa in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight, bus, and train. In October, daytime highs in Kanazawa are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight back home.