28 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Unicorn Gundam Statue and Subway Museum. Step out of Tokyo to go to Funabashi and see Funabashi Andersen Park, which is approximately 1h 10 min away. And it doesn't end there: take an in-depth tour of Tokyo National Museum The Heiseikan, don't miss a visit to 100 Steps Stairs, enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Circus Sunshine60 Observatory, and stroll around Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park.

For ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Tokyo trip itinerary builder website.

Asheville, USA to Tokyo is an approximately 20-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 14 hours traveling from Asheville to Tokyo. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Asheville in July since evenings lows in Tokyo dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) early enough to travel to Beppu.

The resort town of Beppu puts the geothermal nature of the region to good use.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Kijima Kogen Park and Ikeyama Springs. Get out of town with these interesting Beppu side-trips: Taketa (Mt. Kuju, Sky Park Azamidai Observatory, &more) and Handa Highland (in Kokonoe-machi). And it doesn't end there: look for gifts at Angel Kimono Rental Beppu, appreciate the views at Yufugawa Valley, get outside with Mt. Tsurumi, and witness a stunning natural landmark at Shiraike Jigoku.

To find reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Beppu vacation planner.

Getting from Tokyo to Beppu by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. While traveling from Tokyo, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Beppu, ranging from highs of 81°F to lows of 75°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) to allow time to drive to 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.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like OH Sadaharu Baseball Museum and Ramen Runway. Venture out of the city with trips to Fukutsu (Fukuma Beach, Miyajihama Beach, &more). There's still lots to do: walk around Yusentei Park, take an in-depth tour of Seinan Gakuin University Museum, don't miss a visit to Robosquare, and see the interesting displays at Fukuoka Citizen’s Disaster Prevention Center.

To see photos, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Fukuoka road trip planning site.

Getting from Beppu to Fukuoka by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Beppu in July, you will find days in Fukuoka are a bit warmer (88°F), and nights are about the same (76°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) to allow enough time 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.

Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Ogonzan, take an in-depth tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, examine the collection at Fukuromachi Elementary School Peace Museum, practice your aim at SHA-RAKU Archery Experience, then get curious at Hiroshima Children's Museum, and finally see the interesting displays at Honkawa Peace Museum.

For traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, use the Hiroshima trip builder.

Getting from Fukuoka to Hiroshima by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In July in Hiroshima, expect temperatures between 87°F during the day and 76°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) so you can take a train 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Tadasu No Mori Grove and Mt. Ibuki. Explore Kyoto's surroundings by going to Samegaijyuku (in Maibara), Genkyuen Garden (in Hikone) and Yanmar Museum (in Nagahama). There's much more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Daimonji, take in the spiritual surroundings of Myoshinji Temple, steep yourself in history at Hosenin, and explore the stunning scenery at Hozukyo Gorge.

To find maps, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Kyoto trip planning site.

Traveling by train from Hiroshima to Kyoto takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Kyoto can reach 89°F, while at night they dip to 76°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Nara.

The country's first established capital, Nara houses some of the most storied buildings and natural attractions in Japan, with eight World Heritage Sites in total.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kasugayama and Yamanobe Street. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Nara: Tenri (Isonokami Jingu & Kurozuka Kofun Museum), Mount Miwa (in Sakurai) and Mt. Shigi (in Heguri-cho). There's still lots to do: admire the landmark architecture of Todai-ji Temple Nandai Gate, make a trip to Shoryakuji Temple, appreciate the extensive heritage of Yagyu Kaido, and go for a walk through Yamadaike Park.

For reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Nara sightseeing planner.

Getting from Kyoto to Nara by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train. In July, daytime highs in Nara are 89°F, while nighttime lows are 80°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to drive to Takayama.

Hidden high up in the Japanese Alps, Takayama remained largely cut off from the rest of Japan for centuries, allowing the local culture to grow in relative isolation.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Mt. Tateyama and Hida Bussankan. Go for a jaunt from Takayama to Tateyama-machi to see Daikanbo about 1h 40 min away. There's lots more to do: examine the collection at Takayama Showa Museum, soak in some Japanese tradition at some of the top local onsens, admire the landmark architecture of Yoshijima Heritage House, and take in the awesome beauty at Hotaka Mountain Range.

To see photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Takayama trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Nara to Takayama in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Nara in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Takayama, with lows of 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) to allow time to drive to Tokyo.

On the 1st (Sun), admire the masterpieces at Chihiro Art Museum - Tokyo, steep yourself in history at Hozomon, examine the collection at Tobu Museum, then take in nature's colorful creations at Meiji Shrine Imperial Garden, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine. Here are some ideas for day two: look for gifts at MUJI Yurakucho, examine the collection at Nissan Crossing, appreciate the extensive heritage of Fukagawa Edo Museum, stroll around Gyosen Park, then see the interesting displays at Madame Tussauds Tokyo, and finally explore the world behind art at 21 21 DESIGN SIGHT.

To find more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, use the Tokyo day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Takayama to Tokyo takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can travel back home.