31 days in Japan Itinerary

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.

Escape the urban bustle at Cape Hirakubozaki and Stand-Up Paddleboarding. We've included these beaches for you: Kondoi Beach and Nakamoto Beach. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Yonehara Beach, stroll around Kabira Park, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and take in the waterfront at Nishi Pier.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki travel itinerary planner .

Kolkata (Calcutta), India to Ishigaki is an approximately 12-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Ishigaki is 3 hours. Traveling from Kolkata (Calcutta) in March, you will find days in Ishigaki are cooler (26°C), and nights are a bit cooler (21°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) early enough to ride a ferry to Iriomote-jima.

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

Get outdoors at Hoshisuna Beach and Stand-Up Paddleboarding. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Ida no Hama Beach and Nakama-river Protected Region. Next up on the itinerary: admire the sheer force of Pinaisara Falls, head off the coast to Iriomote Island, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, and look for all kinds of wild species at Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.

For other places to visit, reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Iriomote-jima tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by ferry from Ishigaki to Iriomote-jima takes an hour. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in March, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Wed) to allow enough time to ride a ferry 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 Yonaha Maehama Beach and Sunayama Beach. We've included these beaches for you: Toguchi no Hama and Aragusuku Beach. The adventure continues: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, snap pictures at Irabu Ohashi, enjoy the sea views from Higashi Hennazaki Lighthouse, and step off the mainland to explore Irabu-jima Island.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Miyakojima tour itinerary planning tool .

Ride a ferry from Iriomote-jima to Miyakojima in 4 hours. In March, daytime highs in Miyakojima are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Hiroshima.

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

Get some historical perspective at Daishoin Temple and Itsukushima Shrine Torii. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and Yamato Museum. Get out of town with these interesting Hiroshima side-trips: Hatsukaichi (Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, & more), Ohara Museum of Art (in Kurashiki) and Senkoji & Senkoji Park (in Onomichi). Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at JMSDF Kure Museum, contemplate the long history of Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, admire the natural beauty at Shukkei-en Garden, and step into the grandiose world of Hiroshima Castle.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Hiroshima driving holiday planning tool .

Traveling by combination of flight and train from Miyakojima to Hiroshima takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. When traveling from Miyakojima in March, plan for slightly colder days in Hiroshima, with highs around 16°C, while nights are much colder with lows around 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Fri): examine the collection at The Yakushima World Heritage Conservation Center and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Yakusugi Land. On the next day, admire the sheer force of Oko no Taki Fall and then explore the stunning scenery at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley.

To see other places to visit, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Yakushima-cho day trip site .

You can do a combination of train, flight, and taxi from Hiroshima to Yakushima-cho in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train, ferry, and taxi; or do a combination of car and ferry. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Hiroshima in March, with highs in Yakushima-cho at 20°C and lows at 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to travel 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort and Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort. Escape the urban bustle at Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort / Alpine Garden and Nozawa Onsen. Venture out of the city with trips to Ushikata Inn (in Otari-mura), Ganshoin Temple (in Obuse-machi) and Yamanouchi-machi (Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park & Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area). The adventure continues: fly down the slopes at Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, hike along Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort, don't miss a visit to Old Mejima Residence, and head outdoors with Hakuba.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read Hakuba-mura road trip planning tool .

You can do a combination of taxi, flight, train, and shuttle from Yakushima-cho to Hakuba-mura in 9 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi, flight, and train; or do a combination of taxi, ferry, and train. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Yakushima-cho in March: high temperatures in Hakuba-mura hover around 11°C and lows are around 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) to allow time to drive to Ise.

A spiritual center of Shintoism, Ise stands as a traditional city where visitors can see the roots of Japanese culture in a number of well-preserved natural and historic sites.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Ise Grand Shrine, get engrossed in the history at Sengukan, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tsukiyominomiya, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Ise Shrine Geku. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: observe the fascinating underwater world at Toba Aquarium, then see the interesting displays at Okageza, then contemplate the long history of Oharai-machi, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Sarutahiko Shrine.

To find ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Ise tour itinerary maker tool .

Traveling by car from Hakuba-mura to Ise takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Hakuba-mura in March, expect a bit warmer with lows of 11°C in Ise. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) 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.

Head to Dotonbori and Nishiki Market Shopping Districtfor some retail therapy. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Nijo Castle. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Himeji Castle (in Himeji) and Kofuku-ji Temple (in Nara). There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Tofuku-ji Temple, get to know the fascinating history of Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, steep yourself in history at Sanjusangendo Temple, and don't miss a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

For reviews, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Kyoto trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Ise to Kyoto in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Ise in March, expect a bit cooler with lows of 5°C in Kyoto. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.