27 days in Japan Itinerary

Okinawa is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, following Naha, the capital city. Bring the kids along to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Ohashi. Change things up with these side-trips from Okinawa City: Nakijin-son (Kouri Ocean Tower & Nakijin Castle Ruins), Busena Marine Park (in Nago) and Motobu-cho (Emerald Beach, Okichan Theater, &more). There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Cape Manzamo, don't miss a visit to American Village, get to know the resident critters at Okinawa Zoo & Museum, and get in on the family fun at Southeast Botanical Gardens.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Okinawa City trip itinerary planning site.

Hong Kong, China to Okinawa City is an approximately 10-hour combination of car and flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Hong Kong to Okinawa City. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to travel to Otaru.

The port city of Otaru has long attracted domestic visitors, drawn in by the city's many historic buildings, and has started to garner international attention, too.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Wed): make a trip to JR Otaru Station, contemplate the long history of The Site of Temiya Line, make a trip to Asakusa Bridge, then explore the activities along Otaru Canal, then find something for the whole family at Otaru Denuki Koji, and finally stop by Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building.

To see photos, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Otaru trip planning website.

Explore your travel options from Okinawa City to Otaru with the Route module. In December in Otaru, expect temperatures between 0°C during the day and -2°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Niseko-cho.

Ranking as the most popular ski resort in Hokkaido, mountaintop Niseko-cho boasts great slopes and surprisingly vibrant nightlife.

On the 29th (Thu), appreciate the history behind Lieutenant Lerch Statue.

To find more things to do, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, read our Niseko-cho driving holiday planner.

Getting from Otaru to Niseko-cho by car takes about 1.5 hours. December in Niseko-cho sees daily highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Rusutsu-mura.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Sat): head outdoors with Rusutsu Resort Ski and then stop by Sato no Eki Hot Kimobetsu. On the 1st (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Toya, get all the information you need at Toya Mizunoeki, pause for some photo ops at Kaitaku no Haha Statue, then tee off at Rusutsu Resort Amusement Park, then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, and finally stroll around Fukidashi Park.

To find more things to do, ratings, photos, and tourist information, read our Rusutsu-mura holiday planning tool.

Rusutsu-mura is just a stone's throw from Niseko-cho. In December, plan for daily highs up to 3°C, and evening lows to -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can go by car 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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Odori Park and Maruyama Zoo. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura), get great views at Sapporo TV Tower, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Moiwa, and examine the collection at Sapporo Beer Museum.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Sapporo trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Rusutsu-mura to Sapporo in 2 hours. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Rusutsu-mura in January: highs in Sapporo hover around -3°C, while lows dip to -6°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can go by car to Furano.

Situated in the center of the island, Furano has become known for its idyllic rural landscape, and the drastic changes it experiences as seasons shift.

On the 5th (Thu), hit the slopes at Furano Ski Resort.

To see photos, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Furano trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Sapporo to Furano in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Sapporo in January, Furano is slightly colder at night with lows of -13°C. On the 5th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

Bring the kids along to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. There's still lots to do: make a trip to Tokyo Tower, take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, take in nature's colorful creations at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and get your game on at Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou.

For other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Tokyo trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by flight from Furano to Tokyo takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Plan for much warmer temperatures traveling from Furano in January, with highs in Tokyo at 11°C and lows at 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can 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 (Nagase house, The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses, &more). There's still lots to do: walk around Kenrokuen Garden, look for gifts at Sakuda Honten, explore the world behind art at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ninja Temple.

To see other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Kanazawa journey maker.

You can take a train from Tokyo to Kanazawa in 4 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. Traveling from Tokyo in January, you will find days in Kanazawa are little chillier (7°C), and nights are about the same (0°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) 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.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Sanjusangendo Temple, contemplate the long history of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and then steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple. On the 13th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kinkaku-ji, then explore the historical opulence of Nijo Castle, and finally wander the streets of Gion.

For reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Kyoto vacation builder site.

Traveling by car from Kanazawa to Kyoto takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 10°C in January, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Osaka.

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.

Attractions like Universal Studios Japan and Kuchu Teien Observatory make great kid-friendly stops. Change things up with a short trip to Nara Park in Nara (about 54 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: observe the fascinating underwater world at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, visit Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, wander the streets of Dotombori District, and examine the collection at Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Osaka online journey planner.

Traveling by car from Kyoto to Osaka takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Osaka are 10°C, while nighttime lows are 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to drive to Tottori.

A highlight of the west of the country, Tottori sits along the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): take in the dramatic natural features at Tottori Sand Dunes, head outdoors with Uradome Coast, don't miss a visit to Amarube Railroad Bridge, Sorano Eki, soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens, then take in the natural beauty of Arayu, and finally examine the collection at Tojikan. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Tottori Karo Kanikkokan, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hakuto Shrine, kick back and relax at Hakuto Beach, then contemplate the long history of Jinpu-kaku Hall, and finally contemplate the long history of Tottori Castle Ruins.

For ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read Tottori travel route builder site.

Traveling by car from Osaka to Tottori takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Tottori are 8°C, while nighttime lows are 2°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.