23 days in Japan Itinerary

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.

Family-friendly places like Kabira Bay and Cape Hirakubozaki will thrill your kids. There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Nosoko Mape, head outdoors with Yarabudake, enjoy breathtaking views from Maesedake Observation Site, and get interesting insight from Tours.

For other places to visit, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki trip planner.

Kathmandu, Nepal to Ishigaki is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. Traveling from Kathmandu to Ishigaki, you'll lose 3.2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Kathmandu in January, expect much warmer with lows of 19°C in Ishigaki. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to travel to Motobu-cho.

Formed by the gradual merging of several old fishing villages, today the island town of Motobu-cho boasts paradisal beaches of white sand, clear waters, and a rich array of wildlife.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Okichan Theater. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Motobu-cho: Kouri Ohashi (in Nakijin-son), Agu Mura - Agu Village (in Nago) and Iejima Beach Side Horse Park (in Ie-son). The adventure continues: make a trip to Nakijin Castle Ruins, go for a walk through Bise no Fukugi Tree Road, stop by Farmer's Market Haisai! Yanbaru Market, and experience rural life at Aiai Farm.

To find photos, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Motobu-cho visit planning site.

Getting from Ishigaki to Motobu-cho by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Traveling from Ishigaki in February, plan for a bit cooler nights in Motobu-cho, with lows around 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Hiroshima.

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

Kids will appreciate attractions like Miyajima and Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima. Venture out of the city with trips to Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Gekijyo & Itsukushima Shrine) and Mizuho Highland (in Ohnan-cho). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, explore the historical opulence of Hiroshima Castle, and contemplate the long history of Atomic Bomb Dome.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Hiroshima trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Motobu-cho to Hiroshima takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and train; or do a combination of ferry and car. Traveling from Motobu-cho in February, things will get slightly colder in Hiroshima: highs are around 11°C and lows about 3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sun) so you can 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.

Bring the kids along to Universal Studios Japan and Kinkaku-ji. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Jishu Shrine (in Otsu) and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (in Osaka). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Toji, make a trip to Nijo Castle, and step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Kyoto trip planner.

Traveling by train from Hiroshima to Kyoto takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 11°C in February, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Fri) so you can catch the 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Tokyo Disneyland and Meiji Jingu Shrine. The adventure continues: make a trip to Tokyo Tower, ponder the world of politics at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, enjoy breathtaking views from Tokyo Skytree, and admire the natural beauty at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

To see ratings and more tourist information, read Tokyo trip website.

You can take a train from Kyoto to Tokyo in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. In February, plan for daily highs up to 12°C, and evening lows to 2°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can travel back home.