30 days in Japan Itinerary

Start off your visit on the 31st (Mon): contemplate the long history of Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, pause for some photo ops at Peace Bell, steep yourself in history at Atomic Bomb Dome, pause for some photo ops at Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students, then appreciate the history behind Peace Flame, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Myojo-in. Here are some ideas for day two: see the interesting displays at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, then snap pictures at Aioi Bridge, and then go for a walk through Hijiyama Skywalk.

To see photos, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Hiroshima online tour itinerary planner.

Madison, USA to Hiroshima is an approximately 21.5-hour flight. You'll lose 15 hours traveling from Madison to Hiroshima due to the time zone difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Madison in March, with highs in Hiroshima at 16°C and lows at 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to fly to Tokyo.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Chidorigafuchi and Waho-An NATURE Tokyo. Change things up with these side-trips from Tokyo: Fujiyoshida (Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja, Chureito Pagoda, &more) and Yokohama (Yokohama Negishi Forest Park & Yokohama Intl Passenger Terminal). Next up on the itinerary: take in nature's colorful creations at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, contemplate the waterfront views at Meguro River, stroll around Ueno Park, and contemplate the long history of Nezu Shrine.

To see reviews and tourist information, go to the Tokyo trip builder site.

Traveling by flight from Hiroshima to Tokyo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in April, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Nachikatsura-cho.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Mon): take in the dramatic natural features at Ichimai-iwa, enjoy breathtaking views from Kushimoto Marine Park Undersea Tower, explore the striking landscape at Umikongo, then explore the striking landscape at Hashigui Rock, and finally stop by Momijiya Honpo. On the 8th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Seiganto-ji Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kumano Nachi Taisha, make a trip to Daimonzaka, take in the dramatic scenery at Nachi Mitaki Falls, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Hirou Shrine, and finally explore the activities along Nachi Forest.

To see traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Nachikatsura-cho travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by combination of flight, bus, and train from Tokyo to Nachikatsura-cho takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Tokyo in April, plan for a bit warmer nights in Nachikatsura-cho, with lows around 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can go by car to Kyoto.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kennin-ji Temple and Kyoto Botanical Garden. Venture out of the city with trips to Expo '70 Commemorative Park (in Suita) and Osaka (Mint Museum & Kemasakuranomiya Park). The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, sample some tasty brews at Kyoto Insider Sake Experience, and don't miss a visit to Eikando Zenrinji Temple.

To see maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Kyoto online trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Nachikatsura-cho to Kyoto by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Kyoto when traveling from Nachikatsura-cho in April, with lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Sun) early enough to fly to Yakushima-cho.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Mon): discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, don't miss a visit to Wilson Stump, and then take in the awesome beauty at Tachudake. On the 15th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Jōmon Sugi, then take in breathtaking views at Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley, then don't miss a visit to Taikoiwa, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Okinasugi.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Yakushima-cho visit planner.

Traveling by flight from Kyoto to Yakushima-cho takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Yakushima-cho when traveling from Kyoto in April, with lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to travel to Motobu-cho.

Explore hidden gems such as Bise no Fukugi Tree Road and Hiji Waterfall. Explore Motobu-cho's surroundings by going to Kunigami-son (Gallirallus Okinawae Learning Center & Vegetation of Tanagagumui) and Mt. Iegusuku (in Ie-son). There's lots more to do: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, admire the natural beauty at Yohena Ajisai Park, snap pictures at Kouri Ohashi, and see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To find maps, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Motobu-cho travel planner.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Yakushima-cho to Motobu-cho in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and ferry; or ride a ferry. In April, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Fri) early enough to travel to Miyakojima.

Step off the beaten path and head to Irabu Ohashi and East Henna Cape. There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Ikema Ohashi Bridge, look for all kinds of wild species at Yabiji, take a peaceful walk through Shimajiri Mangrove Forests, and enjoy the sand and surf at Sunayama Beach.

For maps, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Miyakojima trip itinerary builder tool.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Motobu-cho to Miyakojima in 5 hours. April in Miyakojima sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Iriomote-jima.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Tue): admire the sheer force of Geta Waterfall, take in the dramatic scenery at Kura Falls, then take in the dramatic scenery at Mariudo Fall, and finally admire the sheer force of Pinaisara Falls. On the 23rd (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the sheer force of Nara no Taki Falls, take in the dramatic scenery at Mizuochi Falls, then look for all kinds of wild species at Amitori Asaba, then go for a walk through Ruins of Amitory Village, and finally head off the coast to Iriomote Island.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Iriomote-jima holiday maker.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Miyakojima to Iriomote-jima in 4 hours. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in April, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) to allow time to ride a ferry to Ishigaki.

Explore hidden gems such as Prime Scuba Ishigaki Diving Center - Day Tour and Rhizophoraceae Plant Community of Fukidogawa River. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Ishigaki: Kohama-jima (Nawa Insect Museum Haimurubushi, Hama-jima Island (The Phantom Island), &more). There's lots more to do: appreciate the extensive heritage of Island Countryside Settlement, trek along Nosoko Forest Road, make a trip to Euglena Mall, and stop by Yurateiku Market.

For other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Ishigaki online travel planner.

Ride a ferry from Iriomote-jima to Ishigaki in 1.5 hours. In April, daytime highs in Ishigaki are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to fly back home.