47 days in Japan 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Island Countryside Settlement and MInsah Kogei Museum. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Cape Hirakubozaki and Torinji Temple. Venture out of the city with trips to Iriomote-jima (Canyoning & Rappelling Tours, Barasu Island, &more). There's lots more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Kondoi Beach, make a trip to Rhizophoraceae Plant Community of Fukidogawa River, stroll around Kabira Park, and head outdoors with Kaiji Beach.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Ishigaki tour planner.

Erie, USA to Ishigaki is an approximately 29-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. You'll lose 14 hours traveling from Erie to Ishigaki due to the time zone difference. In December, Ishigaki is much hotter than Erie - with highs of 72°F and lows of 64°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can fly to Miyakojima.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Aragusuku Beach and Toguchi no Hama. There's much more to do: head outdoors with Sunayama Beach, step off the mainland to explore Shimojishima Island, kick back and relax at Sawada no hama Beach, and don't miss a visit to Ikema Ohashi Bridge.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Miyakojima vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Ishigaki to Miyakojima by flight takes about 2.5 hours. December in Miyakojima sees daily highs of 71°F and lows of 64°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) to allow 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.

Get some historical perspective at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park and Sangui. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nakagusuku Castle Ruins and Cape Chinen Park. Get out of town with these interesting Nanjo side-trips: Tomb of Lord Gosamaru (in Nakagusuku-son) and Itoman (Himeyuri Peace Museum & The Tower of Himeyuri). There's more to do: admire the verdant scenery at Valley of Gangala.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Nanjo trip planning website.

Do a combination of flight and bus from Miyakojima to Nanjo in 3.5 hours. December in Nanjo sees daily highs of 70°F and lows of 62°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can travel to Tanabe.

Considered a holy space where the gods once lived, the city of Tanabe teems with spiritual, cultural, and natural beauty.

Get some historical perspective at Koyasan Okunoin and Oyunohara - Original Kumano Hongu Taisha Site. Explore hidden gems such as Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and Mt. Koya. Get out of town with these interesting Tanabe side-trips: Koya-cho (Koyasan Danjo Garan & Kongobu-ji Temple). There's lots more to do: indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens, kick back and relax at Shirarahama Beach, and head off the coast to Engetsuto.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Tanabe trip maker.

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Nanjo to Tanabe takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and train; or do a combination of taxi, ferry, and train. Traveling from Nanjo in December, things will get a bit cooler in Tanabe: highs are around 54°F and lows about 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to drive to Nachikatsura-cho.

The town of Nachikatsuura-cho wows visitors with its superlative landscape and impressive cultural attractions.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Thu): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Seiganto-ji Temple, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kumano Nachi Taisha, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hirou Shrine. On your second day here, take in the dramatic scenery at Nachi Mitaki Falls, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamikura Shrine.

To see reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Nachikatsura-cho online trip builder.

Getting from Tanabe to Nachikatsura-cho by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In December in Nachikatsura-cho, expect temperatures between 54°F during the day and 45°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to go by car 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Ise Shrine Geku and Tsukiyominomiya. Oharai-machi and Sarutahiko Shrine are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Take a break from Ise with a short trip to Shinmei Shrine in Toba, about 40 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Meotoiwa Rocks, get engrossed in the history at Sengukan, contemplate the long history of Hinjitsukan, and examine the collection at Okageza.

To find reviews, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Ise online road trip planner.

You can drive from Nachikatsura-cho to Ise in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Nachikatsura-cho in December, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Ise: temperatures range from 49°F by day to 47°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to go by car 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.

Get some historical perspective at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Toji. Get some cultural insight at Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kodai-ji Temple. Change things up with these side-trips from Kyoto: Kofuku-ji Temple (in Nara) and Dotombori District (in Dotombori). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Tofuku-ji Temple, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, appreciate the extensive heritage of Katsura Imperial Villa, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Yasaka Shrine.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Kyoto trip itinerary builder app.

Drive from Ise to Kyoto in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Ise in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Kyoto, with lows of 39°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Matsue.

Matsue sits on the banks of the Ohashi-gawa river, channeling its waters through a series of canals and rivers that add much to the scenic aspect of the urban area.

Yaegaki Shrine and Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse will appeal to history buffs. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Tamatsukuriyu Shrine and Miho Shrine. Venture out of the city with trips to Adachi Museum of Art (in Yasugi) and Izumo (Former Taisha Station, Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, &more). Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamosu Shrine, don't miss a visit to Buke Yashiki, explore the activities along Shinji Lake, and step into the grandiose world of Matsue Castle.

To find photos, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Matsue route maker app.

You can fly from Kyoto to Matsue in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 45°F, and evening lows to 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Tokyo.

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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Waho-An NATURE Tokyo and Yokohama Minato Mirai 21. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle Ruin) and Ueno District. Venture out of the city with trips to Kamakura (Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine & Kōtoku-in), Ghibli Museum Mitaka (in Mitaka) and Yokohama (Sankeien Gardens & Yamashita Park). There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, wander the streets of Odaiba District, and stop by Asakusa.

For traveler tips, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Tokyo day trip planning app.

Getting from Matsue to Tokyo by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. In January, plan for daily highs up to 50°F, and evening lows to 35°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight back home.