Route & dates
30 days in Japan Itinerary
Start: Frankfurt
Fly:
14h 30min
1
Tokyo
— 5 nights
train:
3h 15min
2
Osaka
— 8 nights
train:
2h 45min
3
Fukuoka
— 4 nights
train:
2h 45min
4
Kyoto
— 3 nights
train:
2h 30min
5
Tokyo
— 8 nights
Fly:
14h 45min
End: Frankfurt
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5
nights
Tokyo
5
nights

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.Your inner history buff will appreciate Mitsumine Shrine and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Pola Museum of Art and Samukawa Shrine. Venture out of the city with trips to Naritasan Omote Sando (in Narita) and Nature & Wildlife Tours (in Fuji). There's still lots to do: take a stroll through Ueno, steep yourself in history at Sengaku-ji Temple, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Shishiyama.
Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Tokyo trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.
Frankfurt, Germany to Tokyo is an approximately 15-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Frankfurt to Tokyo is 8 hours. When traveling from Frankfurt in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Tokyo, with highs around 14°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 4°C. On the 7th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Osaka.
Things to do in Tokyo
Side Trips
Samukawa Shrine, Pola Museum of Art, Mitsumine Shrine, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Naritasan Omote Sando
Highlights from your plan

Ueno
5:00pm, Tue Dec 3

Samukawa Shrine
3:30pm, Fri Dec 6

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
1:30pm, Fri Dec 6
8
nights
Osaka
8
nights

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.Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Horyu-ji Temple and Hase-dera Temple. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Kongobu-ji Temple and Toshodai-ji Temple. Venture out of the city with trips to Himeji (Himeji Castle & Mt Shosha hiking), Arima Onsen (in Kita) and Koyasan Danjo Garan (in Koya-cho). The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Nigatsu-do Temple, take a stroll through Dotonbori, step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle, and take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Wakakusa.
To see reviews, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Osaka trip planner.
Traveling by train from Tokyo to Osaka takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. December in Osaka sees daily highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to catch the train to Fukuoka.
Things to do in Osaka
Side Trips
Nara, Sakurai, Himeji, Koya-cho, Arima Onsen
Highlights from your plan

Arima Onsen
4:00pm, Sun Dec 8

Hase-dera Temple
11:00am, Tue Dec 10

Koyasan Danjo Garan
12:30pm, Wed Dec 11
4
nights
Fukuoka
4
nights

City of Yatai
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.You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Yutoku Inari Shrine and Nanzoin. For shopping fun, head to JR Hakata City Amu Plaza Hakata or Tenjin Underground Shopping Center. When in Fukuoka, make a side trip to see Yoshinogari Historical Park in Yoshinogari-cho, approximately 50 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Tochoji Temple, step off the mainland to explore Nokonoshima Island, take in nature's colorful creations at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, and take an in-depth tour of Fukuoka City Museum.
To see photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Fukuoka trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Osaka to Fukuoka by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 13°C in December, and nighttime lows around 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can take a train to Kyoto.
Things to do in Fukuoka
Side Trips
Yoshinogari Historical Park, Kamado Shrine, Yutoku Inari Shrine, Nanzoin
Highlights from your plan

Yutoku Inari Shrine
11:30am, Mon Dec 16

Nanzoin
4:00pm, Mon Dec 16

Yoshinogari Historical Park
2:00pm, Mon Dec 16
3
nights
Kyoto
3
nights

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.On the 20th (Fri), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shimogamo Jinja, contemplate the long history of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, then explore the historical opulence of Nijo Castle, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Nishi Honganji, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kennin-ji Temple. On your second day here, take in the spiritual surroundings of Jojakkoji Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gio-ji Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamigamo Shrine, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Enkō-ji Temple, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hosenin, and finally identify plant and animal life at Yase Momiji no Komichi.
For reviews, photos, maps, and tourist information, use the Kyoto online trip itinerary planner .
Take a train from Fukuoka to Kyoto in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. In December, plan for daily highs up to 13°C, and evening lows to 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to take a train to Tokyo.
Things to do in Kyoto
Side Trip
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Highlights from your plan

Shimogamo Jinja
10:00am, Fri Dec 20

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
11:30am, Fri Dec 20

Kennin-ji Temple
4:30pm, Fri Dec 20
8
nights
Tokyo
8
nights

Get some historical perspective at Kashima Jingu and Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine. Visiting Mt. Takao and Kiyose Sunflower Farm will get you outdoors. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tokyo: Kamakura (Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple), & more), Oyama Afuri Shrine (in Isehara) and Chikurin Park (in Higashikurume). See even more of Tokyo: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kinomiya Shrine, make a trip to Hozomon, take a stroll through Kagurazaka, and stop by Ginza Itoya Hontren.
For more things to do, maps, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Tokyo day trip tool .
Traveling by train from Kyoto to Tokyo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to travel back home.
For more things to do, maps, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Tokyo day trip tool .
Traveling by train from Kyoto to Tokyo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to travel back home.
Things to do in Tokyo
Side Trips
Kamakura, Mt. Takao, Kiyose Sunflower Farm, Naritasan Omote Sando, Kashima Jingu
Highlights from your plan

Kagurazaka
4:30pm, Sun Dec 22

Nezu Shrine
5:00pm, Wed Dec 25

Kencho-ji Temple
4:30pm, Fri Dec 27
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