21 days in Japan Itinerary

The hilly port city of Nagasaki has become known internationally as one of the two Japanese cities to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the close of World War II. This history, of course, remains important to the city, its inhabitants, and to the wider world, and should not be forgotten.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Mon): pause for some photo ops at Hypocenter of Atomic Bombing, get engrossed in the history at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, see the interesting displays at Nagasaki Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, then walk around Nagasaki Peace Park, then examine the collection at Dejima, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Glover Garden. Keep things going the next day: get interesting insight from Tours, stroll around Motomiya Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Takahama Beach, head off the coast to Hashima Island, then pause for some serene contemplation at Magome Catholic Church, and finally stroll around Nabekanmuriyama Park.

To find ratings, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read Nagasaki online tour planner.

Berlin, Germany to Nagasaki is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually an 8 hour difference. In May, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive 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.

On the 13th (Wed), buy something for everyone on your list at Tenjin Underground Shopping Center, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kushida Shrine, admire the landmark architecture of Hakata Station, then enjoy breathtaking views from Fukuoka Tower, then stroll through Ohori Park, and finally walk around Maizuru Park.

For traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Fukuoka trip planner.

Getting from Nagasaki to Fukuoka by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. May in Fukuoka sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Wed) to allow enough time to take a train to Hiroshima.

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

Start off your visit on the 13th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

To find other places to visit, photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Hiroshima day trip tool.

You can take a train from Fukuoka to Hiroshima in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and ferry. In May, daytime highs in Hiroshima are 28°C, while nighttime lows are 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) to allow time to take a train 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.

Your list of things to see and do now includes Tobita Shinchi, Pinpoint Traveler, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, and other attractions. Start off your visit on the 14th (Thu): wander the streets of Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and then stop by Dotombori District. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 15th (Fri): indulge in some culinary diversions at Pinpoint Traveler, stop by Shimada Shoten, explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, then don't miss a visit to Kuromon Market, then learn the tricks of the trade with Eat Osaka, and finally get a taste of local nightlife at Akiba Kart Osaka.

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

You can take a train from Hiroshima to Osaka in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or drive. In May in Osaka, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 18°C at night. On the 17th (Sun), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

Mt. Koya has been added to your itinerary. There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, visit Arashiyama, step into the grandiose world of Nijo Castle, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sanjusangendo Temple.

To find photos, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read Kyoto travel planner.

Take a train from Osaka to Kyoto in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Kanazawa: Takayama (Takayama Showa Museum, Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), &more), Gokayama (in Nanto) and Shirakawa-mura (Wada House, Tenshukakau Observatory, &more). The adventure continues: stroll around Kenrokuen Garden, admire the masterpieces at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, examine the collection at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts, and explore the historical opulence of Kanazawa Castle.

To see where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Kanazawa online route planner.

Getting from Kyoto to Kanazawa by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train. Traveling from Kyoto in May, expect nights in Kanazawa to be about the same, around 15°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) so you can fly to Hakone-machi.

Sitting at the foot of Mount Fuji, Hakone-machi has become a popular retreat from Tokyo for locals and tourists alike.

On the 24th (Sun), trek along Hakone Stone‐paved Road, walk around Gora Park, admire the masterpieces at The Hakone Open-Air Museum, admire the masterpieces at Hakone Museum of Art, then take some stellar pictures from Hakone Ropeway, and finally make a trip to Owaku-dani Valley. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at Lalique Museum Hakone, admire the masterpieces at Narukawa Art Museum, contemplate the long history of Hakone Shrine / Kuzuryu Shrine Singu, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Ashinoko, and finally take a memorable tour with Tours.

To see reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Hakone-machi trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Kanazawa to Hakone-machi takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or drive. When traveling from Kanazawa in May, plan for little chillier days and a bit warmer nights in Hakone-machi: temperatures range from 21°C by day to 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) so you can 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tokyo: Kamakura (Kōtoku-in & Hase-dera Temple). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower, take a stroll through Odaiba District, and take in panoramic vistas at Tokyo Skytree.

For where to stay, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Tokyo day trip app.

You can do a combination of bus and train from Hakone-machi to Tokyo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Hakone-machi in May, you will find days in Tokyo are a bit warmer (28°C), and nights are about the same (19°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.