12-Day Highlights of Japan

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Stroll through Hama Rikyu Garden and the Imperial Palace the gardens, which form the largest park in the capital. Discover the Hie Jinja Shrine, dedicated to the deity of Mount Hie. Take a stroll in the beautiful Gyoen Imperial Park and go to Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of the most famous places of worship in Japan. Take a stroll through Yoyogi Park, Shibuya –don't forget to visit the statue of the dog, Hâchiko–, Harajuku District and Omote-Sando street; immerse yourself in the diversity of Tokyo.

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Take a stroll through the Asakusa district, and discover the historic centre of Japan's capital. Visit the Sensô-Ji Temple which has stood for over 1,000 years, and don't forget to pass by Nakamise Street. Stroll through Akihabara, the capital of otaku, fans of virtual culture. Then go to the Zojo-Ji Temple, one of the largest Buddhist complexes in the capital. Finish the day by climbing the Tokyo Sky Tree Tower and take a closer look at the radio tower that is the pride of the Japanese people.

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Visit the famous Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine on the shore of Lake Ashi. Erected in 757, the main building in a beautiful cedar forest. Distinguished by its Torii, it is the best-known view of Mount Fuji. Take a stroll around Lake Ashi, a crater lake within a volcano that erupted 3,000 years ago. Take the cable car along Lake Ashi to Owakudani Volcanic Valley to admire its steam vents, hot springs and hot rivers. On clear days, you may see a spectacular panoramic view of Mount Fuji.

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Part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, a day in Hakone will take you to bask in the areas natural beauty and bathe in its famous hot springs. Today, you could hop on the ropeway for a panoramic view that stretches across to Mount Fuji or take the time to lap up the luxury of an onsen. Alternatively, you could spend the day hopping between gardens and museums to learn about the region. Late afternoon, take the train to Kyoto.

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Visit the famous Yasaka-Jinja Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of the sea and Maruyama Park, an essential place for the Ohanami during Sakura. Visit the Kodai-ji Temple, full of maple and bamboo trees and troll through the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka alleys that look like they come straight out of a samurai movie. Visit the astonishing Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and walk through Gion District. You'll finish the day at the two of the most important temples in Japan, Higashi Hongen-ji and Nishi Hongen-gi.

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Today is yours to enjoy Japan sightseeing on your own time. You could start the day out in Arashiyama, a part of the city that is known for its bamboo grove and monkey park. Then, you could go on a self-guide temple tour of the city, stopping at all the must-see sights such as Tenryu, Nonomiya-Jinja and Nison-in. You could finish the day on the iconic Saga scenic train; it's the only scenic train in Japan.

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Forming a red arch winding through the forest, more than 30,000 torii follow one another to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Japan. Discover the Philosopher's Path, a two-kilometre long trail, that follows a cherry tree-lined canal joining the Ginkaku Ji Silver Pavilion. Take a stroll along Kiyamachi-dori street, another Sakura spot. In the evening, stroll through Pontocho District to enjoy its countless Ochaya tea houses, where Geiko come to practice their arts.

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Today is free to explore: stroll through the large park in the city of Nara, discover the Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its buildings painted in vermilion red and visit the large Todai-ji Temple, home to the Daibutsu-den building, the largest wooden construction in the world which houses a monumental Big Buddha. Admire the magnificent Nigatsu-Do Temple built on wooden stilts and visit the Hokke-Do Temple also called Sangatsu-do, the oldest building in Todai-ji.

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Visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, one of the most famous castles in the country. This masterpiece of feudal architecture that dominates the Harima plain from a height of 46 metres. Visit the Koko-en Garden situated not far from the castle. The park was designed in 1992 on the model of samurai house gardens from the Edo period. Finish the day by taking a walk on Mount Shosha. On the edge of the city of Himeji, it is home to a superb Buddhist complex that is rarely visited: the Engyo-ji

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Visit the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, considered to be an authentic example of Japanese architecture. Take a stroll through Tenno-ji Park which features a beautiful botanical garden. Then, visit the elegant Osaka Castle, home to a museum exhibiting samurai weapons, armour and information about the great samurai, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Late afternoon, stroll down Osaka's most popular street, Dotonbori. The epicentre of the city at dusk, here, you are in the most festive area of ​​the city!