12 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.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Sun): stroll around Nagasaki Peace Park, see the interesting displays at Nagasaki Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, get engrossed in the history at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, then admire the masterpieces at Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, then take in nature's colorful creations at Glover Garden, and finally examine the collection at Nagasaki Shipyard Museum. Keep things going the next day: examine the collection at Endo Shusaku Literary Museum, contemplate the long history of Nyokodo, Nagai Takashi Museum, then contemplate the long history of Suwa Shrine, then take an in-depth tour of Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catholic Nakamachi Church.

For reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Nagasaki trip itinerary builder tool .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Nagasaki is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. Traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Nagasaki, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In July, daytime highs in Nagasaki are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Takachiho-cho.

The mountain town of Takachiho-cho remains a place of great importance to Japan's spiritual and natural heritage, and the point where these two things intersect.

On the 30th (Tue), take in the spiritual surroundings of Aratate Shrine, then take in the dramatic scenery at Manai Falls, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kaguraden, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Kunimigaoka. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Wed): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Heitate Shrine, don't miss a visit to Shirakawa Springs, don't miss a visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Amanomanai, and finally explore the stunning scenery at Takachiho Gorge.

To find maps, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read Takachiho-cho road trip app .

Traveling by car from Nagasaki to Takachiho-cho takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Takachiho-cho are 35°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Wed) early enough to drive to Kokonoe-machi.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Thu): contemplate the waterfront views at Ikeyama Springs, admire the sheer force of Nabegataki Falls, and then indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens. Keep things going the next day: get great views at Senomoto Kogen and then identify plant and animal life at Yabakei.

Plan a Kokonoe-machi trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Drive from Takachiho-cho to Kokonoe-machi in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in July, and nighttime lows around 27°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) early enough to 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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): get advice or help at The Yakushima World Heritage Conservation Center and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Yakusugi Land. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Miyanouradake and then kick back and relax at Nagata Inakahama.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Yakushima-cho online attractions planner .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Kokonoe-machi to Yakushima-cho. In August, daytime highs in Yakushima-cho are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) so you can travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Mon): see the interesting displays at Kyushu Railway History Museum, get a new perspective on nature at Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Hakozaki Shrine. On your second day here, contemplate the long history of Nanzoin, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Miyajidake Shrine, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Yoshinogari Historical Park, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tochoji Temple.

For other places to visit and tourist information, you can read our Fukuoka holiday maker app .

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Yakushima-cho to Fukuoka in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, flight, and train; or do a combination of taxi, ferry, and train. Expect a daytime high around 38°C in August, and nighttime lows around 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.