Japan
Our guides in Japan.
Japan · region
Hokkaido
Start in Sapporo for food and the city, add a night in canal-side Otaru, then choose a season-driven detour: Furano and Biei for summer flower fields, or Niseko for winter powder.
Japan · city
Kyoto
Base downtown or near the station, spend a day each in Higashiyama (temples and Gion), Arashiyama (bamboo grove and river), and Fushimi/downtown (Fushimi Inari and Nishiki Market), then add a day trip to Nara.
Japan · island
Okinawa
Naha for Kokusai-dori, the rebuilt Makishi market, Tsuboya pottery street and Shuri Castle on its hill. The south for Sefa Utaki, the Chinen sunrise over Kudaka Island and the Peace Memorial Park. Chatan for American Village and an easy sunset. The Onna coast for the resort hotels and Cape Manzamo. The Motobu peninsula for Churaumi Aquarium, Bise village, Nakijin Castle and the bridge to Kouri Island. Yanbaru in the north for forest and Cape Hedo. The Kerama Islands for the water.
Japan · city
Tokyo
Base near Shinjuku, Shibuya or Tokyo Station for rail access, spend a day each in old Tokyo (Asakusa, Ueno) and new Tokyo (Shibuya, Harajuku), and add one full-day trip out to Nikko, Kamakura or Hakone.
Japan · multi city
Two Weeks in Japan
Base 3 to 4 nights in Tokyo, 1 to 2 in Hakone for the onsen and Mount Fuji views, 2 to 3 in Kyoto, then 1 to 2 in Osaka, with Nara, Himeji and Hiroshima/Miyajima as day trips from the Kansai leg.