55 days in East Asia 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 historic sites, parks, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, have some family-friendly fun at Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou, make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, and get to know the resident critters at Ueno Zoo.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo trip planner.

San Francisco, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. You'll lose 17 hours traveling from San Francisco to Tokyo due to the time zone difference. In April in Tokyo, expect temperatures between 67°F during the day and 51°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) early enough to travel to Hakodate.

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

Hakodate is known for nature, historic sites, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Hakodate, steep yourself in history at The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, go for a walk through Sakuragaoka St., and take in panoramic vistas at Goryokaku Tower.

For ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Hakodate trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Tokyo to Hakodate takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Tokyo in April, things will get slightly colder in Hakodate: highs are around 52°F and lows about 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) to allow time to travel 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Otaru (Otaru Denuki Koji, Otaru Canal, &more). There's much more to do: walk around Odori Park, steep yourself in history at Sapporo Clock Tower, take in the spiritual surroundings of Hokkaido Jingu, and don't miss a visit to Sapporo TV Tower.

To see maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Sapporo trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Hakodate to Sapporo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. While traveling from Hakodate, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Sapporo, ranging from highs of 47°F to lows of 43°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can drive to Wakkanai.

The northernmost city in the country, Wakkanai experiences constant exposure to the elements, with windy and snow-covered winters perhaps its main claim to fame on a national level.

Wakkanai is known for parks, shopping, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Soya Misaki, steep yourself in history at Former Seto House, pause for some photo ops at Hyosetsu no Mon Gate, and stroll around Esandomarigyoko Park.

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Wakkanai travel route builder app.

Drive from Sapporo to Wakkanai in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. In April in Wakkanai, expect temperatures between 45°F during the day and 39°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to drive to Asahikawa.

Perched on the confluence of four rivers and surrounded by green hills, Asahikawa combines a modern city experience with the pristine nature nearby.

Venture out of the city with trips to Biei-cho (Patchwork no Michi, Shirahige Falls, &more). And it doesn't end there: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Asahiyama Zoo, take in the spiritual surroundings of Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine, get engrossed in the history at Hokuchin Memorial Museum, and examine the collection at Otokoyama Sakezukuri Museum.

To find ratings, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Asahikawa road trip website.

Drive from Wakkanai to Asahikawa in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In April, daily temperatures in Asahikawa can reach 45°F, while at night they dip to 42°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Noboribetsu.

Perhaps the island's best-known hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has a long history of tourism.

Explore Noboribetsu's surroundings by going to Showashinzan (in Sobetsu-cho) and Silo Viewing Platform (in Toyako-cho). There's much more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Jigokudani, take in the natural beauty of Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, stroll around Sengen Park, and explore the activities along Lake Toya.

To see more things to do and more tourist information, read Noboribetsu driving holiday planner.

Drive from Asahikawa to Noboribetsu in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. When traveling from Asahikawa in April, plan for somewhat warmer days in Noboribetsu, with highs around 52°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 38°F. On the 27th (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Tokyo.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tokyo: Hakone-machi (Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), &more) and Kamakura (Hase-dera Temple, Kōtoku-in, &more). Enjoy Tokyo some more: take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple, visit Asakusa, take a stroll through Akihabara, and stroll around Yoyogi Park.

For reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Tokyo trip maker tool.

Getting from Noboribetsu to Tokyo by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Noboribetsu in April: high temperatures in Tokyo hover around 67°F and lows are around 51°F. You will have some time to spend on the 3rd (Mon) before leaving for 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.

Explore Kyoto's surroundings by going to Dotombori District (in Dotombori), Osaka (Universal Studios Japan & Nakanoshima Park) and Nara (Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, &more). The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, step into the grandiose world of Osaka Castle, take a stroll through Gion, and don't miss a visit to Nijo Castle.

To find reviews, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Kyoto vacation builder site.

Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto by train takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. In May, plan for daily highs up to 77°F, and evening lows to 59°F. You will have some time to spend on the 10th (Mon) before leaving for Fukuoka.

The largest city on the island, Fukuoka formed through the merger of two former cities that had grown up either side of the Naka River.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Fukuoka: Dazaifu (Komyozen-ji Temple, Dazaifu Tenman-gu, &more) and Onojo - Chikuzenkoku (in Onojo). And it doesn't end there: walk around Ohori Park, take in panoramic vistas at Fukuoka Tower, admire the natural beauty at Ohorikoen Japanese Garden, and browse the different shops at Tenjin Underground Shopping Center.

For more things to do, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Fukuoka online travel planner.

Traveling by train from Kyoto to Fukuoka takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 76°F in May, and nighttime lows around 60°F. You'll have a few hours on the 13th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling to Kagoshima.

Kagoshima sits across the bay from Sakurajima, an active volcano that serves as a symbol of the city and works its way into many aspects of life here.

Go for a jaunt from Kagoshima to Kirishima to see Kirishima Shrine about 1h 20 min away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the geological forces at Sakurajima, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Shiroyama, take in nature's colorful creations at Kagoshima Kenritsu Yoshino Park, and take in panoramic vistas at Yunohira Lookout.

To find photos, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Kagoshima attractions planner.

You can take a train from Fukuoka to Kagoshima in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In May, daily temperatures in Kagoshima can reach 75°F, while at night they dip to 58°F. On the 17th (Mon), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Makurazaki.

Makurazaki is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): take in the pleasant sights at JR Makurazaki Station, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Satsuma Shuzo Brewery Meijigura, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Makurazaki Fish Center, and finally walk around Matsunoo Park. On the 18th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: soak in some Japanese tradition at Makurazaki Nagisa Onsen, take in the spiritual surroundings of Itatetsuwamono Shrine Kamafuta Shrine, walk around Bandokorobana Park, then get great views at Tategami Rock, and finally stroll around Hinokami Park.

To see where to stay, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Makurazaki travel route tool.

You can drive from Kagoshima to Makurazaki in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Kagoshima in May, you will find days in Makurazaki are slightly colder (70°F), and nights are somewhat warmer (65°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to travel to Kumamoto.

Centered around its castle, Kumamoto stands as a historic city with plenty of modern-day appeal to add to the mix.

Get out of town with these interesting Kumamoto side-trips: Aso (Kusasenrigahama, Aso Station, &more) and Shirakawa Springs (in Minamiaso-mura). Next up on the itinerary: step into the grandiose world of Kumamoto Castle, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kato Shrine, take an in-depth tour of Sakuranobaba Johsaien, and make a trip to Sl Hitoyoshi.

To see maps, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read Kumamoto route builder tool.

Traveling by car from Makurazaki to Kumamoto takes 3.5 hours. When traveling from Makurazaki in May, plan for a bit warmer days in Kumamoto, with highs around 77°F, while nights are little chillier with lows around 59°F. You'll have a few hours on the 22nd (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Hiroshima.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Hiroshima side-trips: Hatsukaichi (Itsukushima Shrine, Itsukushima Gekijyo, &more), Mt. Misen (in Miyajima) and Kurashiki (Shinkeien & Ohara Museum of Art). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima, don't miss a visit to Okonomimura, appreciate the history behind Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students, and admire the natural beauty at Shukkei-en Garden.

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

Traveling by train from Kumamoto to Hiroshima takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in May, and nighttime lows around 60°F. You'll have a few hours on the 27th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling to Tokyo.

Venture out of the city with trips to Yokohama (Sankeien Gardens & Yamashita Park), Yokohama Museum of Art (in Minatomirai) and Maihama (Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea). Enjoy Tokyo some more: wander the streets of Odaiba District, enjoy breathtaking views from Tokyo Skytree, look for gifts at Stockplus, and admire the masterpieces at National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

For where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo trip builder site.

You can fly from Hiroshima to Tokyo in 4.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can travel back home.