I did search for a long time before posting this, so apologies if theres a thread somewhere. Basically, Im travelling next year, with the following itinerary:

Melbourne to Singapore (April 7) Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (April 11) Kuala Lumpur to Kaohsiung (April 14) Kaohsiung to Taipei (April 21) Taipei to Seoul (April 27)
Seoul to Osaka (May 6)
Osaka to Kyoto (May 16) Kyoto to Tokyo (May 20)

I would also like to visit Europe (specifically, I would like to be in Germany at the beginning of July, for a friends birthday), and the U.S. Ive only ever been to Germany (on scholarship for an exchange), Fiji, Vietnam and the Cook Islands. I loved Germany when I was there, it was over the course of German winter, and it was just beautiful. Ive never been there in the summer.

Id like to go back to Vietnam someday, as I really enjoyed my time there, but I dont really like the tourist traps. At all. The Cook Islands and Fiji were both a nice time to relax away from all of the busy life back home. It was just before my final year of high school.

Ive never been to the Americas in general, but Id love to visit Canada and the U.S. Lots of the natural sights interest me, but again, Id like to avoid the more touristy areas, and keep expenses as low as I reasonably can.

So, the question is: Which way should I go from Japan? East or west?

If west, should I stop somewhere in Asia or Eastern Europe on the way into Germany? Ive considered India, Vietnam, Thailand, but Id like to not go back to Singapore for the flight – the idea is to reduce the flight time and also background an extra place or two. Id also like to avoid having to get a visa where possible. (Im Australian.) My budget is… not heaps. Im young (18) and have been spending all of my spare money on this trip. Any advice or help is much appreciated. Thank you!