46 days in Japan & South Korea Itinerary

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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nosoko Mape and Nawa Insect Museum Haimurubushi. Get out of town with these interesting Ishigaki side-trips: Kohama-jima (Kubazaki Beach, Hama-jima Island (The Phantom Island), &more). There's still lots to do: get to know the fascinating history of Island Countryside Settlement, enjoy breathtaking views from Tamatorizaki Observatory, kick back and relax at Kaiji Beach, and stop by Yurateiku Market.

To see more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Ishigaki planner.

Singapore, Singapore to Ishigaki is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Singapore to Ishigaki due to the time zone difference. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Singapore in January; daily highs in Ishigaki reach 24°C and lows reach 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to catch the ferry to Iriomote-jima.

Taketomicho Iriomote-Jima stands as the second largest island in Okinawa.

Step off the beaten path and head to Ida no Hama Beach and Kayaking & Canoeing. There's lots more to do: identify plant and animal life at Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center, step off the mainland to explore Barasu Island, take in the dramatic scenery at Pinaisara Falls, and take a memorable tour with Tours.

For maps, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, go to the Iriomote-jima tour itinerary planner.

You can ride a ferry from Ishigaki to Iriomote-jima in 1.5 hours. January in Iriomote-jima sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to travel to Miyakojima.

A city jurisdiction formed after the merger of several towns in 2005, Miyakojima spans six linked-up islands.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nishihenna Cape and Sawada no hama Beach. And it doesn't end there: go for a walk through Imugya Marine Garden, relax in the rural setting at Farm Shop Utopia Farm Miyakojima, steep yourself in history at Nudokubiabu, and identify plant and animal life at Yabiji.

To find reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Miyakojima trip builder site.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Iriomote-jima to Miyakojima takes 4 hours. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in January, and nighttime lows around 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Nanjo.

With a long Pacific coastline, Nanjo offers fantastic views of the ocean from high cliffs covered with lush greenery, as well as from its long sandy beaches.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Sat): appreciate the views at Valley of Gangala, head off the coast to Ojima Island, then explore the historical opulence of Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, then step off the mainland to explore Kudakajima Island, and finally snap pictures at Nirai Bridge/Kanai Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 29th (Sun): take an in-depth tour of Himeyuri Peace Museum, get to know the fascinating history of Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, then contemplate the long history of The Tower of Himeyuri, then go for a walk through Cape Chinen Park, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sefa Utaki.

To find traveler tips, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our Nanjo trip itinerary app.

Do a combination of flight and bus from Miyakojima to Nanjo in 3.5 hours. In January, daytime highs in Nanjo are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can drive to Motobu-cho.

Formed by the gradual merging of several old fishing villages, today the island town of Motobu-cho boasts paradisal beaches of white sand, clear waters, and a rich array of wildlife.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Mon): take in nature's colorful creations at Tropical Dream Center, get outside with Emerald Beach, take in the pleasant sights at Bise no Fukugi Tree Road, then make a trip to Nakijin Castle Ruins, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Bisezaki. On the 31st (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the dramatic scenery at Hiji Waterfall, head outdoors with Okuma Beach, enjoy the sand and surf at Kouri Beach, then explore the striking landscape at Bise no Warumi, and finally head off the coast to Minnajima Island.

To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Motobu-cho online trip planner.

Traveling by car from Nanjo to Motobu-cho takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or take a bus. Traveling from Nanjo in January, plan for little chillier nights in Motobu-cho, with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) to allow time to travel to Ibusuki.

A coastal place of relaxation, Ibusuki stands as a hot spring resort on the southern tip of the peninsula.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): steep yourself in history at Chiran Samurai Residence Garden, learn about all things military at Chiran Peace Museum, and then explore the activities along Lake Ikeda. On your second day here, step off the mainland to explore Chiringashima, cruise along JR Southernmost Nishioyama Station, then take some stellar pictures from Cape Nagasakibana, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Kaimondake, and finally indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens.

Plan trip to Ibusuki with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Getting from Motobu-cho to Ibusuki by combination of bus and flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and flight; or ride a ferry. Traveling from Motobu-cho in January, things will get little chillier in Ibusuki: highs are around 12°C and lows about 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) early enough to drive to Miyazaki.

Enjoying some of the warmest weather on Japan's main islands, Miyazaki thrived as a resort town in the 1980s, with hotels, beaches, and seafood restaurants galore.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Miyazaki Shinto Shrine, take some stellar pictures from Horikiri Pass, head off the coast to Aoshima Island, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Aoshima Shrine, and finally explore the striking landscape at Onino Sentakuita.

For reviews and more tourist information, you can read our Miyazaki tour planning website.

Getting from Ibusuki to Miyazaki by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect little chillier evenings in Miyazaki when traveling from Ibusuki in February, with lows around 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) to allow time to fly to Ise.

A spiritual center of Shintoism, Ise stands as a traditional city where visitors can see the roots of Japanese culture in a number of well-preserved natural and historic sites.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Tsukiyominomiya and Sengukan. Venture out of the city with trips to Shinmei Shrine (in Toba) and Shima (Kashikojima, Mt. Yokoyama Observation Deck, &more). There's much more to do: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Ise Meotoiwa Interactive Aquarium (Ise Sea Paradise), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Futami Okitama Shrine, make a trip to Meotoiwa Rocks, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Toba Aquarium.

For traveler tips, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Ise trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Miyazaki to Ise takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Miyazaki in February, expect nights in Ise to be about the same, around 7°C, while days are little chillier, around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Nozawaonsen-mura.

Many visitors take a trip to Nozawaonsen-mura, a picturesque hot spring village in Nagano Prefecture, to get away from it all.

On the 7th (Tue), indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at Nozawa Onsen and then fly down the slopes at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Nozawaonsen-mura tour itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Ise to Nozawaonsen-mura in 6 hours. Traveling from Ise in February, things will get slightly colder in Nozawaonsen-mura: highs are around 4°C and lows about -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride to Hakuba-mura.

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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Suginohara and Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort. Change things up with these side-trips from Hakuba-mura: Kusatsu-machi (Sainokawara Park, Onsen Resorts, &more), Yamanouchi-machi (Giant Ski Resort, Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area, &more) and Togakushi Shrine Okusha (in Nagano). categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. There's lots more to do: wander the streets of Hakuba, admire the masterpieces at Matsumoto City Art Museum, hit the slopes at Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park, and get outside with Hakuba Happoone Ski Resort.

To see more things to do, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read our Hakuba-mura trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from Nozawaonsen-mura to Hakuba-mura takes 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 4°C in February, and nighttime lows around -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to travel to Kutchan-cho.

Kutchan-cho's reputation rests on two things: skiing and potatoes.

Discover out-of-the-way places like River Rafting & Tubing and Fukidashi Park. Change things up with a short trip to Rusutsu Resort Ski in Rusutsu-mura (about 34 minutes away). categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. And it doesn't end there: get outside with Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Toya, and fly down the slopes at Niseko Village Ski Resort.

For photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Kutchan-cho trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and train from Hakuba-mura to Kutchan-cho in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or drive. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Hakuba-mura in February; daily highs in Kutchan-cho reach -1°C and lows reach -5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. Get out of town with these interesting Sapporo side-trips: Otaru Aquarium (in Otaru) and Chitose (Royce' Chocolate World & Lake Shikotsu). Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Fushimi Inari Shrine, get great views at Mt. Moiwa, visit Nijo Market, and stroll around Kokuei Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park.

To see maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Sapporo day trip site.

You can drive from Kutchan-cho to Sapporo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In February, daytime highs in Sapporo are -1°C, while nighttime lows are -5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can fly to Seogwipo.

Jeju Island's second city, Seogwipo acts as a base for explorations of the island's south.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Songaksan Mountain and Yeomiji Botanical Garden. Spend the 21st (Tue) exploring nature at Halla Mountain. There's lots more to do: find something for the whole family at Play Kpop, browse the fresh offerings at Segowipo Maeil Olle Market, observe the fascinating underwater world at Aquaplanet Jeju, and explore the striking landscape at Oedolgae.

Plan a Seogwipo trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from Sapporo to Seogwipo takes 7.5 hours. On the 28th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.