28 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 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, explore the world behind art at Tokyo National Museum, and take in panoramic vistas at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.

To see other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Tokyo vacation website.

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. Traveling from San Francisco in March, things will get slightly colder in Tokyo: highs are around 58°F and lows about 43°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Fukuoka: Dazaifu (Komyozen-ji Temple, Dazaifu Tenman-gu, &more). The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, stroll around Maizuru Park, enjoy breathtaking views from Fukuoka Tower, and admire the landmark architecture of Hakata Station.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Fukuoka trip itinerary maker website.

Getting from Tokyo to Fukuoka by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. In March in Fukuoka, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 43°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) so you can drive to Nagasaki.

The hilly port city of Nagasaki has become known internationally as one of the two Japanese cities to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the close of World War II.

Go for a jaunt from Nagasaki to Sasebo to see Huis Ten Bosch about 1h 15 min away. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, enjoy breathtaking views from Inasayama Observation Deck, take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Inasa, and see the interesting displays at Dejima.

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

You can drive from Fukuoka to Nagasaki in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In March, plan for daily highs up to 59°F, and evening lows to 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) so you can take a train to Kumamoto.

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

Explore Kumamoto's surroundings by going to Kusasenrigahama (in Aso) and Minamiaso-mura (Shirakawa Springs & Yoshidajyo Gokenjyokumiba). There's much more to do: step into the grandiose world of Kumamoto Castle, admire the natural beauty at Suizenji Jojuen Garden, get impressive views of Mt. Aso, and admire the masterpieces at Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto.

To find maps, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Kumamoto trip planner.

Traveling by train from Nagasaki to Kumamoto takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and ferry. In March, daily temperatures in Kumamoto can reach 59°F, while at night they dip to 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a train 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.

Kagoshima is known for nature, museums, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get impressive views of Sakurajima, get engrossed in the history at Museum of the Meiji Restoration, don't miss a visit to Tenmonkan, and admire the masterpieces at Nagashima Museum.

For traveler tips, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Kagoshima trip planner.

You can take a train from Kumamoto to Kagoshima in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. March in Kagoshima sees daily highs of 59°F and lows of 41°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Miyazaki.

Enjoying some of the warmest weather on Japan's main islands, Miyazaki thrived as a resort town in the 1980s, with hotels, beaches, and seafood restaurants galore.

On the 21st (Sun), take in the spiritual surroundings of Udo Shrine, take in the spiritual surroundings of Aoshima Shrine, then step off the mainland to explore Aoshima Island, and finally explore the striking landscape at Onino Sentakuita. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Sunmesse Nichinan, get great views at Horikiri Pass, take in panoramic vistas at Airplane Park, make a trip to Eda Shrine, then stroll around Awakigaharashinrin Park, Shimin no Mori, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Miyazaki Shinto Shrine.

To see maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Miyazaki holiday planner.

You can drive from Kagoshima to Miyazaki in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Kagoshima in March, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Miyazaki, with lows of 47°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Beppu.

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

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Beppu: Yufu (Mt. Yufu, Lake Kinrin, &more) and Usa (Senzai Farm & Usajingu Shrine Jogu). Next up on the itinerary: take in the natural beauty of Hells of Beppu, make a trip to Jigokumushikobo Kannawa, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Takasakiyama Nature Zoo, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Beppu trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Miyazaki to Beppu takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. When traveling from Miyazaki in March, plan for slightly colder days in Beppu, with highs around 56°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Tokyo.

Get out of town with these interesting Tokyo side-trips: Maihama (Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea). See even more of Tokyo: take in panoramic vistas at Tokyo Skytree, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Ueno Zoo, wander the streets of Asakusa, and take in the views from Rainbow Bridge.

To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Tokyo road trip planning website.

Getting from Beppu to Tokyo by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to travel back home.