Speed west to learn about the history and culture of Hiroshima and pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park.

This morning you'll part with your tour leader and group in Tokyo and make your own way to the bullet train station to start your Self-Guided Adventure. We will extend your Japan Rail Passes to cover the bullet trains and we'll provide full instructions for this journey. Remember to keep an eye out for views of Mount Fuji from the right hand side of the train as you pass through Shizuoka Prefecture.

Your journey to Hiroshima will take about five hours in total and will require an easy change at Shin-Osaka Station. Your hotel is very conveniently located next to Hiroshima Station, and there are plenty of buses, trams, or taxis to take you around, so you will be able to get from your hotel to various parts of the city without any trouble. You will have the rest of the day to explore Hiroshima and learn more about this fascinating city; a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum is a must, and the castle, while not the original building, is set in lovely grounds and is sometimes lit up at night. We also recommend a stop at Okonomi Mura for a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki pancake – you can top it with cheese, rice cakes, seafood, or whatever you fancy.

Overnight: Sheraton Hiroshima

Cross over to Miyajima on the ferry and pass the famous vermillion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.

You can spend the morning in Hiroshima doing some last minute sightseeing and then head down to the port to take the little ferry across Hiroshima Bay to Miyajima Island. You will be greeted with the iconic view of the torii gate ‘floating' in the sea, and the vermillion buildings of Itsukushima Shrine reaching out into the sea.

The rest of the day and the whole of the next is yours to explore the island as you please. There's plenty to do on Miyajima, from a visit to some of the ancient temples and shrines, to a wander around the little shops selling various local delicacies, to a trip up to the top of Mount Misen for sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea. You can hop on the cable car but if the weather is being agreeable, the two hour hike to the top is enjoyable – particularly in autumn when the leaves are turning. As the sun goes down and most of the tourists return to the mainland, we recommend making the most of the peace and quiet heading down to the waterfront to see the shrine lit up.

Your home on Miyajima will be Kurayado Iroha, a Japanese-style inn located in a modern hotel. Your generously sized room has sea views and there is a wonderful hot spring bath up on the roof offering a stunning vista of the Miyajima straits where you can relax before your traditional kaiseki course dinner.

Overnight: Kurayado Iroha

Trade the vivid shrines of Miyajima for the bright lights of Shinjuku for your last unforgettable night in Japan.

On the fourth morning you will return to Hiroshima and onwards to Tokyo on the bullet train. Your Tokyo hotel is conveniently located only 5 minutes' walk from Shinjuku Station on the southern terrace, so you can easily access the huge department stores for some final shopping, or you can head over to the east side of the station where the best restaurants and bars are located for a last drink. Your hotel also has several restaurants for you to choose from, including teppanyaki and French cuisine.

Your adventure in Japan draws to a close. We've arranged for you to have a private car out to Narita Airport in plenty of time for your flight home, or if you would like to fly from Haneda Airport instead, please let us know and we can adjust plans to suit you.

Overnight: Century Southern Tower