55 days in Japan Itinerary

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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Sarushima Island (Monkey Island) and Nezu Museum. Venture out of the city with trips to Yokosuka (Memorial Warships Mikasa & Boat Tours & Water Sports) and Tokyo Horse Racetrack (in Fuchu). There's much more to do: explore the world behind art at Tokyo National Museum, don't miss a visit to Shibuya Crossing, take a stroll through Ueno District, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Ikegami Hommon-ji Temple.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Tokyo day trip site.

San Francisco, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from San Francisco to Tokyo is 17 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 72°F, and evening lows to 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Hakodate.

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Onuma Quasi-National Park and Trappist Monasteries. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hakodate: Nanae-cho (Onuma Lake & Park Information Onuma). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Hachimanzaka, browse the exhibits of Goryokaku Tower, steep yourself in history at Goryokaku Dozo, and admire the landmark architecture of Kyu Soma-tei.

To find reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read our Hakodate road trip website.

Traveling by flight from Tokyo to Hakodate takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Tokyo in October, expect Hakodate to be little chillier, temps between 60°F and 46°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) so you can travel to Sapporo.

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.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Sapporo Clock Tower, then ponder the world of politics at Hokkaido Governor's Official Residence, and then get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building. Here are some ideas for day two: walk around Kokuei Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, then admire the masterpieces at Sapporo Art Museum, then stroll around Asahiyama Kinen Koen, and finally stroll around Maruyama Park.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Sapporo trip itinerary planner.

Fly from Hakodate to Sapporo in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. When traveling from Hakodate in October, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Sapporo: temperatures range from 55°F by day to 50°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) so you can go by car to Wakkanai.

The northernmost city in the country, Wakkanai experiences constant exposure to the elements, with windy and snow-covered winters perhaps its main claim to fame on a national level.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Soya Misaki and Toyotomi Onsen Fureai Center. Next up on the itinerary: don't miss a visit to Cape Noshappu, get outside with Wakkanai Footpath Wakkanai Park Hyosetsu no Mon Course, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hokumon Shrine, and cruise along Yuhigaoka Parking Area.

To see reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Wakkanai trip maker tool.

You can drive from Sapporo to Wakkanai in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. In October in Wakkanai, expect temperatures between 54°F during the day and 47°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Tue) early enough to travel to Noboribetsu.

Perhaps the island's best-known hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has a long history of tourism.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Tue): witness a stunning natural landmark at Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Yuzawa Shrine, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Onibokora.

To find where to stay, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Noboribetsu online trip itinerary maker.

Fly from Wakkanai to Noboribetsu in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 58°F in October, and nighttime lows around 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Thu) early enough to travel to Tokyo.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Food Tours and Asakusa Shrine. Enjoy Tokyo some more: make a trip to Kappabashi Street (Kappabashi Dogugai), admire the natural beauty at Hotel New Otani Japanese Garden, admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower, and appreciate the history behind Unicorn Gundam Statue.

Plan a trip to Tokyo easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

Fly from Noboribetsu to Tokyo in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In October, Tokyo is somewhat warmer than Noboribetsu - with highs of 72°F and lows of 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) so you can travel to Shiroishi.

Shiroishi is a city in Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Kick off your visit on the 25th (Mon): steep yourself in history at Shiroishi Castle, make a trip to Samurai Housing, then experience rural life at Zao Dairy Farm, and finally boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa.

To see reviews, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, use the Shiroishi journey planner.

You can drive from Tokyo to Shiroishi in 4 hours. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Tokyo in October, with highs in Shiroishi at 66°F and lows at 53°F. You'll have a few hours on the 26th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling to Obanazawa.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Tue): get to know the fascinating history of Ginzan Yuhodo. Here are some ideas for day two: stroll around Ozeki Park, don't miss a visit to Kaneyama Townscape, take a memorable tour with Tours, then steep yourself in history at Basho Onboard Place, then appreciate the history behind Midori no Kaze Statue, and finally pause for some photo ops at Mominoki Monument.

To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Obanazawa trip planner.

Traveling by car from Shiroishi to Obanazawa takes 2 hours. In October in Obanazawa, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 52°F at night. On the 28th (Thu), you'll travel to Yamagata.

The town of Yamagata and its surrounding prefecture have a wealth of attractions, both man-made and natural.

On the 28th (Thu), get outside with Shiginoya Chinuma, then explore the activities along Dokkonuma Swamp, and then get engrossed in the history at Museum of History and Culture Warabe No Sato.

To find where to stay, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, use the Yamagata trip planner.

You can drive from Obanazawa to Yamagata in an hour. In October in Yamagata, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 52°F at night. On the 29th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Tokyo.

Explore hidden gems such as teamLab☆Planets and Meiji Jingu Gaien. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tokyo: Mt. Takao (in Hachioji) and Ikuta Ryokuchi Park (in Kawasaki). Enjoy Tokyo some more: wander the streets of Yanaka District, get to know the fascinating history of University of Tokyo, examine the collection at Madame Tussauds Tokyo, and stop by Stockplus.

To see more things to do, reviews, maps, and tourist information, use the Tokyo vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Yamagata to Tokyo takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Yamagata in October; daily highs in Tokyo reach 72°F and lows reach 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) so you can travel 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Nanzen-ji Temple and Eikando Zenrinji Temple. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda (in Ikeda), Minoo Park (in Mino) and Nakanoshima Park (in Osaka). There's much more to do: make a trip to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, contemplate the long history of Daikaku-ji, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Kyoto trip planning website.

You can take a train from Tokyo to Kyoto in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In November, plan for daily highs up to 62°F, and evening lows to 48°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can travel to Matsuyama.

Matsuyama features a number of historical sites and acts as a gateway for exploring the rest of Shikoku.

Step off the beaten path and head to Bocchan Wind up Clock and Namekawakeikoku. Take a break from Matsuyama with a short trip to Shirai Fall in Toon, about 44 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: step into the grandiose world of Matsuyama Castle, make a trip to Shinrokaku, contemplate the long history of Taisanji Temple, and step off the mainland to explore Gogoshima Island.

To see more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Matsuyama online trip itinerary builder.

You can fly from Kyoto to Matsuyama in 4 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 63°F in November, and nighttime lows around 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Kochi.

The port city of Kochi has a rich and varied history that has left its mark on the look and feel of the urban area.

Step off the beaten path and head to Kochi Castle and Katsura Hama. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kochi: Kami City Takashi Yanase Memorial Museum Anpanman Museum (in Kami) and Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi Prefecture (in Konan). There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Chikurinji Temple, make a trip to Ryoma Sakamoto Bronze Statue, get outside with Wanpaku Kochi, and hunt for treasures at Hirome Ichiba.

To see photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Kochi trip builder app.

Drive from Matsuyama to Kochi in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In November in Kochi, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 51°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) so you can go by car to Takamatsu.

A modern city and a major transport hub facing Seto Inland Sea, Takamatsu offers a bustling city lifestyle contrasted with carefully manicured, tranquil green areas at the foot of the mountains and the lava plateau.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Onaruto Bridge and Shikoku Mura Village. Take a break from Takamatsu with a short trip to Okuboji Temple in Sanuki, about 1h 30 min away. There's still lots to do: boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, contemplate the long history of Kikugetsutei, go for a walk through Ritsurin Garden, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Yashima-ji Temple.

For other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Takamatsu trip planner.

Drive from Kochi to Takamatsu in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Kochi in November, you will find days in Takamatsu are a bit cooler (59°F), and nights are about the same (47°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Tokyo.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center and 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT. Get out of town with these interesting Tokyo side-trips: Oyama Afuri Shrine (in Isehara) and Hakone-machi (Hakone Museum of Art & Hakone Stone‐paved Road). See some other sides of Tokyo: take an in-depth tour of Kanda Myojin, explore the world behind art at Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, steep yourself in history at Toshogu Shrine, and indulge in some personalized pampering at ERAWAN Thai Traditional Massage - Tokyo.

For other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read Tokyo route planner.

Getting from Takamatsu to Tokyo by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.