17 days in Tokyo & Sapporo 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.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Nature and Science. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Senso-ji Temple and Edo-Tokyo Museum. Get out of town with these interesting Tokyo side-trips: Tone Canal (in Nagareyama), Matsunaga Memorial (in Odawara) and Campbelltown Forest of Wild Birds (in Koshigaya). There's much more to do: wander the streets of Odaiba District, admire the masterpieces at Ghibli Museum Mitaka, stop by Ginza, and get a taste of the local shopping with Takeshita Street.

To see where to stay, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Tokyo trip itinerary planning website.

Perth, Australia to Tokyo is an approximately 13-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Western Standard Time to Japan Standard Time is 1 hour. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Perth in May since evenings lows in Tokyo dip to 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Sapporo.

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.

Popular historic sites such as Sapporo Clock Tower and Former Hokkaido Government Office Building are in your itinerary. Get a sense of the local culture at Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura) and Yanaga Hokkaido Museum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sapporo: Otaru (Mt.Tengu, Otaru Museum, Bank of Japan, &more), Lake Shikotsu (in Chitose) and Mount Tarumae (in Tomakomai). Spend the 14th (Sun) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. The adventure continues: explore the striking landscape at Jigokudani, witness a stunning natural landmark at Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, identify plant and animal life at Maruyama Genshirin, and trek along Maruyama Hachijuhakksho Hiking Course.

For ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Sapporo trip itinerary tool.

You can fly from Tokyo to Sapporo in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Tokyo in May, with highs in Sapporo at 17°C and lows at 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to fly back home.