The Great Traverse of Japan

Fly from Tokyo to the Yaeyama Islands in southern Okinawa. Stay for three nights.

Spend two more days exploring the Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island.

Leave the Yaeyama Islands for Kagoshima and spend two nights there.

Explore the city of Kagoshima and check out Sakurajima, an active volcano and the symbol of Kagoshima.

Visit Mount Aso along your way from Kagoshima to Kurokawa Onsen. Stay at a ryokan in Kurokawa.

Leave for Fukuoka and spend the night there. Explore the city and check out the city's famous food stalls (yatai) in the evening.

Head to Hiroshima and check out the city and nearby Miyajima Island. Spend the night on Miyajima if the budget allows.

Visit Himeji Castle along the way from Hiroshima to Osaka. Overnight in Osaka.

Travel to Koyasan, the center of Shingon Buddhism. Stay overnight at a temple (shukubo) to experience a monk's lifestyle and eat vegetarian monk's cuisine.

Move on to Kyoto and spend three days in the old capital. Consider our suggested Kyoto itineraries.

In a side trip from Kyoto, visit Nara, home of Japan's first permanent capital. Visit some of the oldest and largest temples in Japan and feed the deer that roam freely in the city.

Head to Kanazawa and explore this interesting town. Kenrokuen is considered Japan's best landscape garden by many.

Travel to Shirakawago, see the nice village and stay overnight at a gassho-zukuri farmhouse.

Head to the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.

Proceed to Kamikochi, a popular mountain resort in the Northern Japan Alps. Do some hiking and overnight there. Note that Kamikochi is not accessible in winter.

On your way from Kamikochi to Yamanouchi, stop by Matsumoto to check out Matsumoto Castle, one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles. Overnight in Yamanouchi, the home of the snow monkeys.

Travel through the mountains to Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, one of Japan's best hot spring resorts. Overnight in Kusatsu. Note that shortest route between Yamanouchi and Kusatsu is closed during the winter.

Proceed to Tokyo and spend three nights in the capital. Consider our suggested Tokyo itineraries.

Head north to Nyuto Onsen, a hot spring resort in the mountains of Akita Prefecture. Overnight at one of the rustic onsen ryokan.

Travel through the Hachimantai Mountains to Hirosaki whose castle is one of the country's best cherry blossom spots. Note that the direct route through the Hachimantai Mountains is closed during winter.

Take trains from Hirosaki to Sapporo and stay two nights in Hokkaido's capital. Explore the city and consider a side trip to Otaru.

Travel across Hokkaido to the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of Japan's most beautiful and unspoiled national parks. Stay for two nights on the peninsula and explore the outdoors.

Congratulations on completing the Great Traverse from Okinawa to Hokkaido in 30 days. Fly back from Memanbetsu Airport to Tokyo and start on your next adventure!