38 days in Japan Itinerary

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sapporo: Noboribetsu (Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath & Jigokudani), Otaru Canal (in Otaru) and Hamada Marutome Fruits Gaden (in Sobetsu-cho). There's lots more to do: stroll around Odori Park, get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, take some stellar pictures from Mt. Moiwa, and contemplate the long history of Sapporo Clock Tower.

For ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Sapporo trip planner.

Boston, USA to Sapporo is an approximately 20.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Boston to Sapporo is 14 hours. When traveling from Boston in June, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Sapporo: temperatures range from 64°F by day to 61°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) early enough to travel to Kanazawa.

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

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kanazawa: Shirakawa-mura (Shirakawago Tajimake Yosan Sericulture Museum, Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, &more) and Takayama (Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato), Takayama Jinya, &more). Next up on the itinerary: stroll around Kenrokuen Garden, visit Higashichaya Old Town, admire the striking features of Kanazawa Station, and don't miss a visit to Seisonkaku Villa.

For where to stay and more tourist information, refer to the Kanazawa trip planner.

You can fly from Sapporo to Kanazawa in 5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. While traveling from Sapporo, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Kanazawa, ranging from highs of 76°F to lows of 64°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Kyoto: Osaka (Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum, &more). There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, wander the streets of Arashiyama, and explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle.

To see traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Kyoto trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Kanazawa to Kyoto by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Kyoto can reach 81°F, while at night they dip to 67°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to take a train to Himeji.

The castle around which the city of Himeji has developed represents one of the best preserved in the country, and has been designated as a national treasure and a World Heritage Site.

Get out of town with these interesting Himeji side-trips: Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown) (in Kobe), Kurashiki (Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Ohara Museum of Art, &more) and Zuiganji Temple (in Tokushima). There's still lots to do: step into the grandiose world of Himeji Castle, get engrossed in the history at Shikoku Mura Village, admire the natural beauty at Koko-en, and get outside with Matsue Swimming Beach.

To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Himeji day trip planner.

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Himeji takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Kyoto in June, you will find days in Himeji are slightly colder (76°F), and nights are about the same (69°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can take a train to Hiroshima.

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

Explore Hiroshima's surroundings by going to Hatsukaichi (Boat Tours & Water Sports, Miyajima, &more) and Mt. Misen (in Miyajima). There's much more to do: take an in-depth tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, steep yourself in history at Atomic Bomb Dome, don't miss a visit to Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, and admire the natural beauty at Shukkei-en Garden.

To see photos, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Hiroshima day trip planner.

Getting from Himeji to Hiroshima by train takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 79°F in June, and nighttime lows around 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Motobu-cho.

Formed by the gradual merging of several old fishing villages, today the island town of Motobu-cho boasts paradisal beaches of white sand, clear waters, and a rich array of wildlife.

Venture out of the city with trips to Onna-son (Blue Cave, Scuba & Snorkeling, &more) and Kouri Ohashi (in Nakijin-son). Next up on the itinerary: observe the fascinating underwater world at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, explore the gorgeous colors at USS Emmons, take in nature's colorful creations at Tropical Dream Center, and meet the residents at Okichan Theater.

To find maps, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Motobu-cho trip app.

You can fly from Hiroshima to Motobu-cho in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Hiroshima in June; daily highs in Motobu-cho reach 85°F and lows reach 77°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) 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.

Step out of Ishigaki with an excursion to Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Iriomote-jima--about 1h 55 min away. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Kabira Bay, get great views at Cape Ongazaki, take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory, and walk around Kabira Park.

To see ratings, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Ishigaki day trip planner.

You can fly from Motobu-cho to Ishigaki in 5.5 hours. June in Ishigaki sees daily highs of 89°F and lows of 81°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) so you can travel 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Kamakura (Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine & Kōtoku-in) and Maihama (Tokyo DisneySea & Tokyo Disneyland). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, wander the streets of Akihabara, visit Odaiba District, and admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower.

Make your Tokyo itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

You can fly from Ishigaki to Tokyo in 5 hours. Expect little chillier evenings in Tokyo when traveling from Ishigaki in July, with lows around 74°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel back home.