15 days in Japan Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Japan sightseeing planner
Start: Minneapolis
Fly
1
Tokyo
— 4 nights
Drive
2
Nozawaonsen-mura
— 1 night
Drive
3
Hakuba-mura
— 2 nights
Fly
4
Osaka
— 1 night
Train
5
Kyoto
— 3 nights
Fly
6
Miyakojima
— 1 night
Fly
7
Ishigaki
— 1 night
Fly
End: Minneapolis
Wed, Feb 8 - Wed, Feb 22
Edit
S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
View full calendar
Tokyo — 4 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.You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Shimokitazawa and Yushima Tenmangu. Museum-lovers will get to explore Fujiko F Fujio Museum and Japan Coast Guard Museum Yokohama. Venture out of the city with trips to Mt. Nokogiri Nihon-ji Temple (in Kyonan-machi), Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (in Kamakura) and Jike Furusatomura (in Yokohama). The adventure continues: get engrossed in the history at Kanda Myojin, take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, visit Asakusa, and explore the wide array of goods at Isetan Shinjuku Store.
For photos, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Tokyo tour builder website.
Minneapolis, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 16-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Minneapolis to Tokyo is 15 hours. Traveling from Minneapolis in February, things will get much warmer in Tokyo: highs are around 51°F and lows about 36°F. You will have some time to spend on the 13th (Mon) before leaving for Nozawaonsen-mura.
Side Trips
Yokohama, Mt. Nokogiri Nihon-ji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Mt. Nokogiri, Fujiko F Fujio Museum
Find places to stay Feb 9 — 13:
Highlights from your trip
Nozawaonsen-mura — 1 night

Many visitors take a trip to Nozawaonsen-mura, a picturesque hot spring village in Nagano Prefecture, to get away from it all.Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): admire the masterpieces at Mayumi Takahashi Doll Museum, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ajisaidera Kogen-in Temple, hit the slopes at Togari Onsen Ski Resort, see the interesting displays at Japan Ski Museum, then hit the slopes at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, and finally see the interesting displays at Oborozukiyo no Yakata Hanzan Bunko.
To find where to stay, photos, and tourist information, use the Nozawaonsen-mura vacation maker site.
You can drive from Tokyo to Nozawaonsen-mura in 4 hours. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Tokyo in February, with highs in Nozawaonsen-mura at 39°F and lows at 28°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can go by car to Hakuba-mura.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Feb 13 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
Hakuba-mura — 2 nights

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.On the 14th (Tue), fly down the slopes at Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, hike along Happo-one Nature Study Course, stroll through Hakuba, hit the slopes at Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort, then hit the slopes at Tsugaike Kogen, and finally hit the slopes at Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort. On the next day, hit the slopes at Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort, then take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Shirouma, then take in the awesome beauty at Mt.Karamatsudake, and finally soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers.
To find other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Hakuba-mura road trip planning site.
Traveling by car from Nozawaonsen-mura to Hakuba-mura takes 2 hours. February in Hakuba-mura sees daily highs of 39°F and lows of 28°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to Osaka.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 14 — 16:
Highlights from your trip
Osaka — 1 night

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.Start off your visit on the 16th (Thu): take in the spiritual surroundings of Osaka tenmangu shrine, stroll around The Tower of the Sun, see the interesting displays at Expo'70 Pavilion, see the interesting displays at National Museum of Ethnology, then stroll around Expo '70 Commemorative Park, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Sakuya Konohanakan.
To see photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Osaka tour planner.
Getting from Hakuba-mura to Osaka by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Hakuba-mura in February; daily highs in Osaka reach 49°F and lows reach 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can take a train to Kyoto.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Feb 16 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
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.You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kyoto Insider Sake Experience. Do your shopping at Nishiki Market Shopping District and Ippodo Tea Kyoto. Explore Kyoto's surroundings by going to Sagawa Art Museum (in Moriyama), Lake Biwa Museum (in Kusatsu) and Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art (in Oyamazaki-cho). There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, don't miss a visit to Daigo-ji Temple, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, and see the interesting displays at Kyoto Railway Museum.
You can plan Kyoto trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.
Traveling by train from Osaka to Kyoto takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In February in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 49°F during the day and 35°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Miyakojima.
Side Trips
Sagawa Art Museum, Lake Biwa Museum, Byodo-in Temple Museum Hoshokan, Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)
Find places to stay Feb 17 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Miyakojima — 1 night
A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): browse the eclectic array of goods at Atarasu Ichiba, see the interesting displays at Miyakojima Sea Treasure Museum, enjoy the sand and surf at Tomori Imugya Beach, look for gifts at Island Market, then get interesting insight from Tours, and finally identify plant and animal life at Satan's Palace.
To see where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Miyakojima trip itinerary maker app.
Traveling by flight from Kyoto to Miyakojima takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Kyoto in February, you will find days in Miyakojima are a bit warmer (69°F), and nights are much hotter (61°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can fly to Ishigaki.
Find places to stay Feb 20 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Ishigaki — 1 night
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.Start off your visit on the 21st (Tue): kick back and relax at Hairumubushi Beach, examine the collection at Nawa Insect Museum Haimurubushi, get outside with Kubazaki Beach, then take in panoramic vistas at Tamatorizaki Observatory, then enjoy the sea views from Cape Hirakubozaki, and finally explore the fascinating underground world of Ibaruma Sabichi Cave. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Taketomi Submarine Hot Spring, appreciate the extensive heritage of Island Countryside Settlement, don't miss a visit to Kilometer Zero, see the interesting displays at Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, then look for gifts at Yurateiku Market, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Torinji Temple.
To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Ishigaki route planner.
You can fly from Miyakojima to Ishigaki in 2.5 hours. February in Ishigaki sees daily highs of 71°F and lows of 62°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can catch the flight back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Japan travel guide
Land of the Rising Sun
Part of a volcanic archipelago that encompasses over 6,800 islands, Japan remains one of Asia's most fascinating tourist destinations, where a blend of modernity and tradition creates a look and feel completely different from any other place in the world. A tour of Japan lets you discover big cities filled with ancient temples and innovative skyscrapers, as well as quiet country landscapes dotted with castles, perfectly manicured gardens, cherry orchards, and primeval forests seemingly untouched by the hand of mass tourism. Many tourists on vacation in Japan devote lots of time to the country's unique cuisine, prepared with painstaking attention to detail and a genius for simple yet effective presentation.
Nagano Prefecture travel guide
Nagano Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Nagano. Due to the abundance of mountain ranges in this area, the land available for inhabitance is relatively limited.Nagano has impressive highland areas, including most of the Kita-Alps, Chūō-Alps, and Minami-Alps, which extend into the neighbouring prefectures. In addition to its natural scenic beauty and rich history, Nagano was host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, which gained the prefecture international recognition as a world-class winter sport destination, and a Shinkansen line to Tokyo.HistorySee Shinano Province.
Source