33 days in Japan Itinerary

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.

Do your shopping at Chitose Outlet Mall Rera and Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town. Get some historical perspective at Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sapporo Clock Tower. Step out of Sapporo to go to Rusutsu-mura and see Rusutsu Resort Ski, which is approximately 1h 30 min away. There's much more to do: examine the collection at The Hokkaido University Museum, test the waters at a local thermal spa, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Asahi Breweries Hokkaido Brewery, and take an in-depth tour of Hokkaido Museum Morino Charenga.

To see maps, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Sapporo trip builder tool.

Vienna, Austria to Sapporo is an approximately 17-hour flight. You'll lose 8 hours traveling from Vienna to Sapporo due to the time zone difference. While traveling from Vienna, expect slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in Sapporo, ranging from highs of 26°C to lows of 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Otaru.

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 5th (Sun): head outdoors with Shioya Beach, kick back and relax at Otamoi Beach, make a trip to Otaru Joyato, look for gifts at Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building, then hunt for treasures at Sankaku Market, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Tomioka Catholic Church.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Otaru trip itinerary planning tool.

Getting from Sapporo to Otaru by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Otaru can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) so you can go by car 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.

On the 6th (Mon), examine the collection at Kita no Kunikara Museum, do a tasting at Furano Wine Factory, do a tasting at Furano Budogaoka Park, make a trip to Ningle Terrace, then head outdoors with Furano Ski Resort, and finally see the interesting displays at Furabi. On the 7th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: cruise along Shirakaba Road, soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens, then stop by Rokugo no Mori, then look for gifts at Anpanman Shop Furano, and finally visit Glass Forest in FURANO.

To find maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Furano trip planner.

Traveling by car from Otaru to Furano takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. July in Furano sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Mitsumine Shrine and Kanda Myojin. Get some cultural insight at Naritasan Omote Sando and Nezu Shrine. Get out of town with these interesting Tokyo side-trips: Hitotsumatsu Beach (in Chosei-mura), Nature & Wildlife Tours (in Fuji) and Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine (in Saitama). And it doesn't end there: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Asakusa Shrine, stop by Kagurazaka, take a stroll through Odaiba District, and contemplate the long history of Toshogu Shrine.

To find ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Tokyo travel website.

Fly from Furano to Tokyo in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In July, Tokyo is somewhat warmer than Furano - with highs of 36°C and lows of 27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Nagoya.

Known nationally as an industrial heartland, Nagoya boasts a far more cosmopolitan and cultural core than its reputation would lead you to believe.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, buy something for everyone on your list at Shopping Avenue Esca, browse the different shops at JR Central Towers, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Atsuta Jingu Shrine, then shop like a local with Sakae, and finally examine the collection at Nagoya Shisei Shiryokan. On your second day here, steep yourself in history at Nagoya Castle, explore the activities along Yamazaki River, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Arimatsu no Machinami, then take an in-depth tour of Little World, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kokeizan Eihoji Temple.

To see other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Nagoya trip planner.

Take a train from Tokyo to Nagoya in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In July, daily temperatures in Nagoya can reach 33°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to 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.

Nijo Castle and Kamigamo Shrine will appeal to history buffs. Step off the beaten path and head to Kennin-ji Temple and Nishi Honganji. When in Kyoto, make a side trip to see Mimurotoji Temple in Uji, approximately Uji away. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sanzen-in Temple, browse the eclectic array of goods at Nishiki Market Shopping District, steep yourself in history at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and get great views at Mt. Kurama.

To see traveler tips, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read Kyoto tour itinerary planning tool.

Getting from Nagoya to Kyoto by train takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Nagoya in July, expect nights in Kyoto to be about the same, around 28°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 37°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can go by car to Osaka.

Proud of their hometown's distinct culture and dialect, many natives of Osaka describe their city as "Japan's anti-capital." An antidote to Tokyo's hectic energy, Osaka marches to the beat of its own drum, serving as the country's longtime commercial and industrial hub.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Mon): indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at Arima Onsen, steep yourself in history at Osaka Castle, then enjoy the sand and surf at Osaka Fureai no Mizube, and finally get a taste of the local shopping with Hankyu Umeda Honten. On the next day, take in the spiritual surroundings of Horyu-ji Temple, then contemplate the long history of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, then make a trip to Hozenji Yokocho, and finally wander the streets of Dotombori District.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Osaka trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Kyoto to Osaka takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Osaka are 37°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time to take a train to Fukuoka.

The largest city on the island, Fukuoka formed through the merger of two former cities that had grown up either side of the Naka River.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Nanzoin and Miyajidake Shrine. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Hakozaki Shrine and Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. Step out of Fukuoka to go to Yoshinogari-cho and see Yoshinogari Historical Park, which is approximately 50 minutes away. The adventure continues: step off the mainland to explore Nokonoshima Island, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kashii-gu, buy something for everyone on your list at Tenjin Underground Shopping Center, and don't miss a visit to Kego Shrine.

To find ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Fukuoka online trip itinerary maker.

Take a train from Osaka to Fukuoka in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. July in Fukuoka sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to travel 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.

Get some cultural insight at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Nakagusuku Castle Ruins. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Scuba & Snorkeling and Aharen Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Naha side-trips: Kayaking & Canoeing (in Kadena-cho), Zamami-son (Ama Beach, Aka Beach, &more) and Katsuren Castle Ruins (in Uruma). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Nirai Beach, head outdoors with Tokashiku Beach, browse the different shops at AEONMALL OKINAWA RYCOM, and get to know the fascinating history of Naminoue-gu Shrine.

For traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Naha online tour itinerary maker.

Fly from Fukuoka to Naha in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In July in Naha, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 32°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Fri) to allow time for travel back home.