52 days in Japan Itinerary

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.

Do your shopping at Ginza and Mokuhankan. Get a sense of the local culture at Odaiba District and Senso-ji Temple. Go for a jaunt from Tokyo to Maihama to see Tokyo DisneySea about 30 minutes away. Have a day of magic on the 6th (Mon) at Tokyo Disneyland. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, take a stroll through Akihabara, make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, and walk around Odaiba Kaihin Koen (Odaiba Seaside Park).

To find other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Tokyo travel planner.

Jerusalem, Israel to Tokyo is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 7 hours traveling from Jerusalem to Tokyo. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Jerusalem in March: high temperatures in Tokyo hover around 17°C and lows are around 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can go by car to Yamanouchi-machi.

The resort town of Yamanouchi-machi has plenty of contrasting, but complementary things going for it.

Take a break from the city and head to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and Shigakogen Yakebitaiyama Ski Area. Venture out of the city with trips to Kusatsu Music Forest Cross Country Course (in Kusatsu-machi), Iiyama (Madarao Mountain Resort & Togari Onsen Ski Resort) and Nozawaonsen-mura (Nozawa Onsen & Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort). categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. And it doesn't end there: get interesting insight from Snow Monkey Resorts, hit the slopes at Shiga Kogen, get outside with Ichinose Diamond Ski Resort, and take in the pleasant sights at Ryuoo Mountain Park.

For maps, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Yamanouchi-machi trip planner.

You can drive from Tokyo to Yamanouchi-machi in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Tokyo in March, things will get little chillier in Yamanouchi-machi: highs are around 11°C and lows about 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Nikko.

A gateway to a sprawling and diverse national park, a center of Shinto spiritualism and place of Buddhist worship, an emblem of the riches and dominance of the Tokugawa shogunate: Nikko means many things to many people.

Get some cultural insight at Nikko Base and Kegon Falls. Get in touch with nature at Nikko National Park and Lake Kirikomiko Karikomiko. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Nikko: Katashina-mura (Hotakabokujo Ski Area & White World Oze Iwakura) and Oe Wetlands (in Minamiaizu-machi). There's still lots to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Nikko Tosho-gu, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Nantai, steep yourself in history at Taiyuimbyo Shrine, and contemplate the waterfront views at Kinugawa River Source.

For where to stay, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Nikko trip planner.

You can drive from Yamanouchi-machi to Nikko in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Yamanouchi-machi in March, Nikko is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time to travel 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Dotombori District and Nishiki Market Shopping District. Change things up with these side-trips from Kyoto: Naniwa Meibutsu Ichibirian Dotombori (in Dotombori), Nara (Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara Park, &more) and Universal Studios Japan (in Osaka). And it doesn't end there: wander the streets of Gion, go for a walk through Philosopher's Walk, take in the spiritual surroundings of Ryoanji Temple, and contemplate the long history of Osaka Castle.

For more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Kyoto online travel route builder.

Fly from Nikko to Kyoto in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and flight. Traveling from Nikko in March, Kyoto is a bit cooler at night with lows of 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) early enough to drive to Iwami-cho.

Relax by the water at Shirahara Kamogaiso Rocky Shore and Uradome Coast. Take a break from the city and head to Uradome Seacoast Marine Park and Higashihama Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Iwami-cho side-trips: Hawai Beach (in Yurihama-cho), Arayu (in Shinonsen-cho) and Hakuto Beach (in Tottori).

For ratings, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, use the Iwami-cho day trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Kyoto to Iwami-cho takes 4 hours. In March, daytime highs in Iwami-cho are 13°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can drive to Hatsukaichi.

The city of Hatsukaichi developed from a small market town, frequented by passing samurais during the Edo period.

Take a break from the city and head to Miyajima and Mt. Misen. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Mochiishi Seacoast and Kita-Nagato Coast. Explore Hatsukaichi's surroundings by going to Sandandaki Falls (in Akiota-cho) and Kitaura Seacoast (in Hagi). The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Itsukushima Shrine, add some adventure to your tour with Paddle Park, kick back and relax at Mikasahama Beach, and look for gifts at Itsukushima Gekijyo.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Hatsukaichi using our trip planner.

You can drive from Iwami-cho to Hatsukaichi in 5 hours. In April, daily temperatures in Hatsukaichi can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can travel to Onna-son.

Located on the coast in the middle of the island, Onna-son has become known for its beaches and seaside economy.

Get outdoors at Nirai Beach and Sun Marina Beach. Relax by the water at Okuma Beach and Sunset Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Onna-son: Naha (Shurijo Castle & Naminoue Beach), Araha Park (Araha Beach) (in Chatan-cho) and Nakijin-son (Akabaka Beach, Kouri Beach, &more). There's still lots to do: get outside with Busena Beach, kick back and relax at Diamond Beach, explore the striking landscape at Cape Manzamo, and explore the fascinating underground world of Blue Cave.

To see maps, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Onna-son tour planning site.

Getting from Hatsukaichi to Onna-son by combination of flight and bus takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of train, ferry, and car; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Hatsukaichi in April; daily highs in Onna-son reach 28°C and lows reach 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Miyakojima.

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

You'll get in some beach time at Yonaha Maehama Beach and Toguchi no Hama. Visiting Hora Gyoko no Hama Beach and Aragusuku Beach will get you outdoors. Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Sunayama Beach, get outside with Nagamahama Beach Coast, and add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For ratings, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Miyakojima tour itinerary planning tool.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Onna-son to Miyakojima in 4 hours. April in Miyakojima sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can travel to Iriomote-jima.

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

We've included these beaches for you: Ida no Hama Beach and Hoshisuna Beach. Escape the urban bustle at Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Iriomote Island. And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Maruma Beach, make a trip to Nakama-river Protected Region, head outdoors with Todomari Beach, and look for all kinds of wild species at Amitori Asaba.

Find out how to plan Iriomote-jima trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Miyakojima to Iriomote-jima in 4 hours. April in Iriomote-jima sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) to allow time to ride a ferry to Ishigaki.

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.

Visit Yonehara Beach and Shiraho Beach for some beach relaxation. Get in touch with nature at Prime Scuba Ishigaki Diving Center - Day Tour and Sukuji Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ishigaki: Kuro-shima (Fuki Beach & Nishinohama) and Kohama-jima (Hama-jima Island (The Phantom Island), Kubazaki Beach, &more). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Kondoi Beach, get outside with Ibaruma Coast, hike along Nosoko Forest Road, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Nosoko Mape.

To find maps, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Ishigaki road trip planning site.

Traveling by ferry from Iriomote-jima to Ishigaki takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in April, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Tue) to allow time for the flight back home.