Japan's cities: Tokyo & Kyoto

Spend the day exploring Kamakura, a pretty seaside town which was once Japan's capital and is home to the Great Bronze Buddha. You can take the train there unaccompanied - trains depart regularly from Tokyo and the journey takes an hour and a quarter. There are many temples and shrines which you can visit here; one of our favourites is the Hase Kannon Temple.

Today travel by bullet train to Kyoto, home to some of Japan's most important works of art, its richest culture and its most refined cuisine. This is a journey of around three hours. After leaving your bags at your hotel, we recommend that you set off for the north west of the city to see some of the iconic sights, including the Golden Pavilion.

A whole day at leisure to explore Kyoto. We suggest starting at Nijo Castle, visiting a few covered markets and the Nishiki-dori food market to sample some Japanese delicacies such as squid, octopus, eel and matcha powder sweets. Wander the narrow streets of Gion, the Geisha district, and visit a few of Kyoto's most iconic temples and shrines nearby.

Make use of your rail pass and take the bullet train (a journey of just over two and a half hours) to Hiroshima to explore the moving Peace Park and Memorial Museum. Be sure to stop for a lunch of the local speciality of okonomiyaki (a gourmet savoury pancake eaten with cabbage and many other different ingredients).