14 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.

Tokyo is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, get engrossed in the history at Edo-Tokyo Museum, admire the striking features of Tokyo Tower, and explore the world behind art at Tokyo National Museum.

To find other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Tokyo road trip planning app.

Seattle, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Japan Standard Time (JST) is 17 hours. Traveling from Seattle in December, you will find days in Tokyo are a bit warmer (54°F), and nights are about the same (39°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Kanazawa.

An old castle town largely unspoiled during World War II, Kanazawa features well-preserved architecture spread across a range of districts.

On the 9th (Fri), take a stroll through Higashichaya Old Town, make a trip to Omicho Market, contemplate the long history of Kanazawa Castle, then admire the natural beauty at Kenrokuen Garden, and finally steep yourself in history at Nomura Family Samurai House.

To see photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Kanazawa online visit planner.

Traveling by flight from Tokyo to Kanazawa takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Tokyo in December, expect nights in Kanazawa to be about the same, around 37°F, while days are little chillier, around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sat) so you can drive 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.

Step out of Kyoto to go to Osaka and see Universal Studios Japan, which is approximately 1h 15 min away. There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, make a trip to Heian Shrine, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and explore the historical opulence of Nijo Castle.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Kyoto online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Kanazawa to Kyoto takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In December in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 52°F during the day and 39°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to take a train to Hiroshima.

Grapple with history and appreciate modernity in Hiroshima, a city known around the world for its tragic past and inspiring rebirth.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Wed): get engrossed in the history at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, appreciate the history behind Children's Peace Monument, then contemplate the long history of Atomic Bomb Dome, and finally explore the historical opulence of Hiroshima Castle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, then walk around Momijidani Park, then contemplate the long history of Itsukushima Shrine, and finally step off the mainland to explore Miyajima.

To find reviews, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Hiroshima trip planner.

You can take a train from Kyoto to Hiroshima in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 52°F in December, and nighttime lows around 39°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Naha.

Naha, the capital of Okinawa, has deep roots: Stone Age relics have been found in the city, and through the Middle Ages it rose in importance in the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Fri): kick back and relax at Naminoue Beach, then make a trip to Shrikinjocho Stone-Path Road, and then explore the historical opulence of Shurijo Castle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire the natural beauty at Shikinaen Garden, don't miss a visit to Makishi Public Market, and then make a trip to Kokusaidori.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Naha trip planning app.

You can fly from Hiroshima to Naha in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. Traveling from Hiroshima in December, you will find days in Naha are somewhat warmer (70°F), and nights are warmer (62°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can fly back home.