22 days in Japan Itinerary

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Samurai Museum and Tokyo National Museum. And it doesn't end there: make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, take an in-depth tour of Edo-Tokyo Museum, admire the natural beauty at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower.

For photos and more tourist information, read Tokyo trip itinerary maker.

London, UK to Tokyo is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Japan Standard Time (JST), which is usually a 9 hour difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from London in October, with highs in Tokyo at 26°C and lows at 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Nikko.

On the 22nd (Sun), explore the activities along Yunoko Lake, then admire the sheer force of Yudaki Falls, then admire the sheer force of Ryuzu Waterfall, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Chuzenji.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Nikko online trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Tokyo to Nikko in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of subway and train. When traveling from Tokyo in October, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Nikko: temperatures range from 22°C by day to 19°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Kyoto.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nanzen-ji Temple and Hashiya Kaede. When in Kyoto, make a side trip to see Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, approximately Osaka away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, wander the streets of Gion, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ginkakuji Temple, and stop by Arashiyama.

For traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Kyoto trip planner.

Getting from Nikko to Kyoto by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a train; or drive. When traveling from Nikko in October, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Kyoto: temperatures range from 27°C by day to 18°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to catch the train to Hiroshima.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): admire the natural beauty at Shukkei-en Garden, pause for some photo ops at Peace Bell, then steep yourself in history at Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, then get engrossed in the history at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and finally contemplate the long history of Atomic Bomb Dome. On the next day, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Senjokaku, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Itsukushima Shrine, and then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Hiroshima trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Hiroshima takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, daytime highs in Hiroshima are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to travel to Yakushima-cho.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Mon): take in the dramatic scenery at Janokuchinotaki Falls, admire the sheer force of Oko no Taki Fall, don't miss a visit to Taikoiwa, then explore the stunning scenery at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley, and finally make a trip to Wilson Stump. On the next day, don't miss a visit to Jōmon Sugi.

To find where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Yakushima-cho online route planner.

Traveling by combination of train and flight from Hiroshima to Yakushima-cho takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, bus, and flight; or do a combination of train and ferry. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Yakushima-cho when traveling from Hiroshima in October, with lows around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Tue) to allow time for the flight to Miyakojima.

Explore hidden gems such as Yabiji and Aragusuku Beach. Next up on the itinerary: take in the views from Irabu Ohashi, make a trip to East Henna Cape, kick back and relax at Sunayama Beach, and take in the pleasant sights at Imugya Marine Garden.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima travel route planner.

You can fly from Yakushima-cho to Miyakojima in 9.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Miyakojima when traveling from Yakushima-cho in October, with lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) to allow time to travel to Iriomote-jima.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): take in the dramatic scenery at Mizuochi Falls, head outdoors with Ida no Hama Beach, then head off the coast to Barasu Island, then take in the dramatic scenery at Mariudo Fall, and finally admire the sheer force of Pinaisara Falls. Here are some ideas for day two: step off the mainland to explore Iriomote Island, skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, and then admire the sheer force of Nara no Taki Falls.

To see maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Iriomote-jima driving holiday planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and ferry from Miyakojima to Iriomote-jima takes 4 hours. In November in Iriomote-jima, expect temperatures between 31°C during the day and 25°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to ride a ferry to Ishigaki.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Prime Scuba Ishigaki Diving Center - Day Tour and Cape Hirakubozaki. There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Yonehara Beach, walk around Kabira Park, visit Ishigaki Port Ritoh Terminal, and get to know the fascinating history of Island Countryside Settlement.

To see more things to do, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, use the Ishigaki holiday planner.

Traveling by ferry from Iriomote-jima to Ishigaki takes 1.5 hours. In November, plan for daily highs up to 31°C, and evening lows to 25°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.