23 days in East Asia Itinerary

On the 26th (Tue), don't miss a visit to Shibuya Crossing.

To find more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Tokyo online road trip planner.

Wellington, New Zealand to Tokyo is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) to Japan Standard Time (JST), which is usually a -3 hour difference. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Wellington in December; daily highs in Tokyo reach 14°C and lows reach 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Wed) so you can take a train to Nagano.

Kids will enjoy Snow Monkey Resorts and Zenko-ji Temple. Get out of town with these interesting Nagano side-trips: Yamanouchi-machi (Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Shigakogen Sun Valley Ski Area, &more), Nozawaonsen-mura (Ogama, Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort, &more) and Kusatsu-machi (Yubatake, Onsen Resorts, &more). There's still lots to do: browse the different shops at Karuizawa prince shopping plaza, take in the spiritual surroundings of Stone Church, make a trip to Zuishin Gate, and contemplate the long history of Minochi Soja Hiyoshidai Shrine.

To find maps, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Nagano trip maker site.

Take a train from Tokyo to Nagano in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Tokyo in December, with highs in Nagano at 7°C and lows at 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Kawaguchi.

On the 3rd (Wed), steep yourself in history at Kawagoejyo Honmaru Palace, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kitain, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tsuki Shrine, then walk around Kawaguchi Green Center, and finally don't miss a visit to Previously Tanaka Family House. Keep things going the next day: take in the spiritual surroundings of Nanasato Shrine, walk around Saitama Prefecture Omiya Park, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine, and finally admire nature's wide array of creatures at Omiya Park Zoo.

To find reviews, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Kawaguchi tour itinerary builder.

Getting from Nagano to Kawaguchi by car takes about 3.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Nagano in January; daily highs in Kawaguchi reach 11°C and lows reach 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can go by car to Kyoto.

Attractions like Universal Studios Japan and Gion make great kid-friendly stops. Get out of town with these interesting Kyoto side-trips: Osaka (Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan & Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Museum) and Dotombori District (in Dotombori). There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, explore the historical opulence of Osaka Castle, and don't miss a visit to Nijo Castle.

To see traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Kyoto trip builder website.

You can drive from Kawaguchi to Kyoto in 6.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 10°C in January, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Tokyo.

Family-friendly places like Tokyo Disneyland and Senso-ji Temple will thrill your kids. Enjoy Tokyo some more: admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower, get in on the family fun at Tokyo DisneySea, make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, and take an in-depth tour of Edo-Tokyo Museum.

For maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Tokyo tour itinerary planner.

You can fly from Kyoto to Tokyo in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.