22 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: take in nature's colorful creations at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, stop by Akihabara, take a stroll through Odaiba District, and enjoy breathtaking views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.

To see other places to visit, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Tokyo tour itinerary builder.

Manchester, UK to Tokyo is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Japan Standard Time (JST) is 9 hours. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Manchester in May: high temperatures in Tokyo hover around 28°C and lows are around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can go by car to Hakone-machi.

Sitting at the foot of Mount Fuji, Hakone-machi has become a popular retreat from Tokyo for locals and tourists alike.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Fri): admire the masterpieces at The Hakone Open-Air Museum, explore the activities along Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), then take some stellar pictures from Hakone Ropeway, and finally don't miss a visit to Owaku-dani Valley. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and then take in the pleasant sights at Tenkakudai.

To see where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Hakone-machi trip itinerary tool.

You can drive from Tokyo to Hakone-machi in 2 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Tokyo in May, expect nights in Hakone-machi to be about the same, around 19°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can travel to Kanazawa.

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

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): admire the masterpieces at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, make a trip to Seisonkaku Villa, examine the collection at Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts, then make a trip to Kenrokuen no Yukizuri, then walk around Kenrokuen Garden, and finally explore the historical opulence of Kanazawa Castle. On your second day here, stroll around Ishikawa Jumoku Park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ninja Temple, contemplate the long history of Nomura Family Samurai House, take a stroll through Nagamachi Neighborhood, then don't miss a visit to Omicho Market, and finally make a trip to Higashichaya Old Town.

Planning Kanazawa trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

Traveling by combination of bus and train from Hakone-machi to Kanazawa takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. Traveling from Hakone-machi in May, expect nights in Kanazawa to be slightly colder, around 15°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) so you can 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.

Kyoto is known for historic sites, shopping, and classes. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, take a stroll through Gion, step into the grandiose world of Nijo Castle, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ginkakuji Temple.

To see maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Kyoto trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Kanazawa to Kyoto in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 29°C in May, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Osaka.

Proud of their hometown's distinct culture and dialect, many natives of Osaka describe their city as "Japan's anti-capital." An antidote to Tokyo's hectic energy, Osaka marches to the beat of its own drum, serving as the country's longtime commercial and industrial hub.

Get out of town with these interesting Osaka side-trips: Nara (Kofuku-ji Temple, Todaiji Temple Cultural Center, &more). And it doesn't end there: get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Japan, examine the collection at Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum, explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, and observe the fascinating underwater world at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read our Osaka trip builder site.

You can drive from Kyoto to Osaka in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In May in Osaka, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Himeji.

The castle around which the city of Himeji has developed represents one of the best preserved in the country, and has been designated as a national treasure and a World Heritage Site.

On the 19th (Wed), make a trip to Nishi no Maru Nagatsubone, then explore the historical opulence of Himeji Castle, then take in nature's colorful creations at Koko-en, and finally take in the pleasant sights at Otokoyama Haisuiike Park.

Before you visit Himeji, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by train from Osaka to Himeji takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. While traveling from Osaka, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Himeji, ranging from highs of 25°C to lows of 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to catch the train to Hiroshima.

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

On the 20th (Thu), admire the masterpieces at Hiroshima Museum of Art, then steep yourself in history at Atomic Bomb Dome, then take an in-depth tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and finally steep yourself in history at Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Fri): take a memorable tour with Tours and then steep yourself in history at Itsukushima Shrine.

To find reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Hiroshima tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by train from Himeji to Hiroshima takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.