21 days in Japan Itinerary

Kutchan-cho's reputation rests on two things: skiing and potatoes.

Get in touch with nature at Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu Ski Place and Niseko Hanazono Resort. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Rusutsu Resort Ski and Fukidashi Park. Venture out of the city with trips to Onsen Resorts (in Rankoshi-cho) and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area (in Niseko-cho). There's still lots to do: get outside with Iwaonupuri.

To see traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Kutchan-cho online visit planner.

Brussels, Belgium to Kutchan-cho is an approximately 19.5-hour combination of flight and car. You'll lose 8 hours traveling from Brussels to Kutchan-cho due to the time zone difference. In January, Kutchan-cho is slightly colder than Brussels - with highs of -3°C and lows of -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Thu) so you can travel to Nozawaonsen-mura.

Many visitors take a trip to Nozawaonsen-mura, a picturesque hot spring village in Nagano Prefecture, to get away from it all.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Fri): fly down the slopes at Nozawa Onsen and then hit the slopes at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort.

To plan Nozawaonsen-mura vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Kutchan-cho to Nozawaonsen-mura. When traveling from Kutchan-cho in February, plan for somewhat warmer days in Nozawaonsen-mura, with highs around 4°C, while nights are about the same with lows around -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Yamanouchi-machi.

The resort town of Yamanouchi-machi has plenty of contrasting, but complementary things going for it.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sat): fly down the slopes at Ichinose Family Ski Resort, hit the slopes at Okushiga Kogen Ski Area, fly down the slopes at Giant Ski Resort, then get outside with Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area, and finally indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens.

For ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Yamanouchi-machi day trip planning website.

You can drive from Nozawaonsen-mura to Yamanouchi-machi in 1.5 hours. In February, daily temperatures in Yamanouchi-machi can reach 4°C, while at night they dip to -2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Hakuba-mura.

Skiing enthusiasts traveling in Japan should consider a trip to Hakuba-mura: tucked away in the Northern Alps, this village hosted several competitions during the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics.

On the 6th (Sun), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Happoone, fly down the slopes at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, wander the streets of Hakuba, then fly down the slopes at Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort, and finally visit Hakuba Jump Arena. On the next day, explore the activities along Happo Pond, then hit the slopes at Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, and then hit the slopes at Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort / Alpine Garden.

To see where to stay, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Hakuba-mura trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Yamanouchi-machi to Hakuba-mura by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. In February, plan for daily highs up to 4°C, and evening lows to -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Miyakojima.

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

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Kouri Island and Shimojiiima Island. Step out of the city life by going to Irabu-jima Island and Kayaking & Canoeing. There's lots more to do: head off the coast to Ikema-jima Island, take in the pleasant sights at Imugya Marine Garden, enjoy the sand and surf at Nakanoshima Beach, and don't miss a visit to Ikema Ohashi Bridge.

To find more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima trip maker website.

Traveling by combination of bus, train, tram, and flight from Hakuba-mura to Miyakojima takes 8.5 hours. Plan for much hotter temperatures traveling from Hakuba-mura in February, with highs in Miyakojima at 24°C and lows at 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to travel 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.

Visiting Kondoi Beach and Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave will get you outdoors. Discover out-of-the-way places like Prime Scuba Ishigaki Diving Center - Day Tour and Kabira Park. There's much more to do: enjoy breathtaking views from Tamatorizaki Observatory, visit a coastal fixture at Cape Hirakubozaki, stroll around Banna Park, and kick back and relax at Yonehara Beach.

To see ratings, photos, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki trip itinerary app.

Getting from Miyakojima to Ishigaki by flight takes about 2.5 hours. February in Ishigaki sees daily highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can travel to Iriomote-jima.

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

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Mon): get outside with Ida no Hama Beach, then head off the coast to Iriomote Island, and then scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, then kick back and relax at Hoshisuna Beach, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Pinaisara Falls.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Iriomote-jima trip itinerary maker website.

You can ride a ferry from Ishigaki to Iriomote-jima in 2 hours. February in Iriomote-jima sees daily highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Onna-son.

Located on the coast in the middle of the island, Onna-son has become known for its beaches and seaside economy.

Step out of the city life by going to Scuba & Snorkeling and Manza Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Daisekirinzan and Valley of Gangala. Venture out of the city with trips to Nakijin Castle Ruins (in Nakijin-son), Motobu-cho (Okinawa Memorial Park Ocean Expo Park & Okichan Theater) and Kunigami-son (Cape Hedo & Uzahama Beach). And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Shrikinjocho Stone-Path Road, get a taste of the local shopping with Onna Station Nakayukui Market, contemplate the long history of Sefa-Utaki, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.

Plan a Onna-son trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Iriomote-jima to Onna-son takes 7 hours. Expect slightly colder evenings in Onna-son when traveling from Iriomote-jima in February, with lows around 14°C. You'll have a few hours on the 19th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling home.