39 days in Japan Itinerary

An old castle town largely unspoiled during World War II, Kanazawa features well-preserved architecture spread across a range of districts.

Visit Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple and Ogimachi Castle Old Site Observatory for their historical value. Get some cultural insight at Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen. Get out of town with these interesting Kanazawa side-trips: Hataya Memorial Hall Yumeole Katsuyama (in Katsuyama), Nanto (Suganuma Gassho Community & Gokayama) and Shirakawa-mura (Wada House, The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses, &more). There's still lots to do: take a memorable drive along Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, steep yourself in history at Nomura Family Samurai House, take in the spiritual surroundings of Oyama Shrine, and see the interesting displays at D. T. Suzuki Museum.

To find more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Kanazawa sightseeing planner.

Newark, USA to Kanazawa is an approximately 19.5-hour combination of flight and car. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 14 hours traveling from Newark to Kanazawa. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Kanazawa when traveling from Newark in November, with lows around 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Tofuku-ji Temple and Walking tours. Visit Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple for their historical value. The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Eikando Zenrinji Temple, visit Gion, make a trip to Nijo Castle, and contemplate the long history of Sanjusangendo Temple.

To see maps, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Kyoto day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Kanazawa to Kyoto takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In December in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 52°F during the day and 39°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Matsue.

Matsue sits on the banks of the Ohashi-gawa river, channeling its waters through a series of canals and rivers that add much to the scenic aspect of the urban area.

Adachi Museum of Art and Hinomisaki Shrine are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Visit Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse and Yaegaki Shrine for their historical value. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Matsue: Izumo (Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, Former Taisha Station, &more), Oki Chibu Red Cliff (in Chibu-mura) and Takuhi Shrine (in Nishinoshima-cho). Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Miho Shrine, explore the historical opulence of Matsue Castle, explore the world behind art at Shimane Art Museum, and explore the activities along Shinji Lake.

For ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Matsue online trip builder.

Traveling by flight from Kyoto to Matsue takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 49°F in December, and nighttime lows around 39°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can drive to Hiroshima.

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

Popular historic sites such as Daishoin Temple and Senkoji & Senkoji Park are in your itinerary. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and Mt. Misen. Explore Hiroshima's surroundings by going to Kure (JMSDF Kure Museum & Yamato Museum) and Hatsukaichi (Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine). There's lots more to do: take an in-depth tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, explore the world behind art at Hiroshima Museum of Art, and make a trip to Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima.

To find maps, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read Hiroshima visit app.

Getting from Matsue to Hiroshima by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. December in Hiroshima sees daily highs of 52°F and lows of 39°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can travel to Yakushima-cho.

A popular destination for Japanese tourists, Kumage-gun Yakushima-cho is a true paradise for nature lovers, with over 1,900 species and subspecies of plants.

Step out of the city life by going to Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley and The Yakushima World Heritage Conservation Center. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Yakusugi Land and Oko no Taki Fall. It doesn't end there: trek along Seibu Trail and don't miss a visit to Taikoiwa.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Yakushima-cho trip planner.

You can do a combination of train and flight from Hiroshima to Yakushima-cho in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train, bus, and flight; or do a combination of train and ferry. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Hiroshima in December, with highs in Yakushima-cho at 60°F and lows at 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Iriomote-jima.

Taketomicho Iriomote-Jima stands as the second largest island in Okinawa.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Iriomote Island. Take a break from the city and head to Pinaisara Falls and Ida no Hama Beach. There's lots more to do: add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, look for all kinds of wild species at Funauki Village, admire the sheer force of Kanpiree Waterfall, and go for a walk through Ruins of Amitory Village.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Iriomote-jima planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and ferry from Yakushima-cho to Iriomote-jima takes 10 hours. Traveling from Yakushima-cho in December, expect Iriomote-jima to be a bit warmer, temps between 72°F and 64°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to catch the ferry 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.

Take a break from the city and head to Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble. Relax by the water at Kondoi Beach and Yonehara Beach. There's lots more to do: visit a coastal fixture at Cape Hirakubozaki, add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, and take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory.

For photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki sightseeing planner.

You can ride a ferry from Iriomote-jima to Ishigaki in 1.5 hours. In December, daytime highs in Ishigaki are 72°F, while nighttime lows are 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Miyakojima.

A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Toguchi no Hama and Scuba & Snorkeling. Visit Aragusuku Beach and Hora Gyoko no Hama Beach for some beach relaxation. There's still lots to do: explore the gorgeous colors at Yabiji, take in the views from Irabu Ohashi, enjoy the sand and surf at Sunayama Beach, and don't miss a visit to Boraga Limestone Cave.

To see photos and tourist information, go to the Miyakojima trip planner.

You can fly from Ishigaki to Miyakojima in 2.5 hours. December in Miyakojima sees daily highs of 71°F and lows of 64°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Let the collections at Samurai Museum and Tokyo National Museum capture your imagination. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Edo-Tokyo Museum and Senso-ji Temple. Step out of Tokyo with an excursion to Ghibli Museum Mitaka in Mitaka--about 40 minutes away. There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Asakusa Shrine, get a sense of history and politics at Imperial Palace, enjoy breathtaking views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, and make a trip to Tokyo Tower.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Tokyo travel route planner.

Traveling by flight from Miyakojima to Tokyo takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Miyakojima in December, expect nights in Tokyo to be colder, around 39°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to fly back home.