The Best of Japan in 12 Nights

The world’s largest city: Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya crossing, the gardens of the Imperial Palace and some of the best food on earth.

The port for Kyoto, the old imperial capital: the Golden Pavilion, the thousands of torii gates at Fushimi Inari and the lanes of Higashiyama. Osaka itself is the country’s kitchen, with the street food of Dotonbori and Osaka Castle.

The capital of Shikoku’s Pacific coast, with one of Japan’s few original castles, the lively Hirome market and the Sunday street market.

South Korea’s second city: the Jagalchi fish market, the hillside Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae beach and the seaside temple of Haedong Yonggungsa.

For centuries Japan’s one window on the world, through the Dutch at Dejima, and now a city of peace: the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, Glover Garden and the Chinatown.

The southern city of Kyushu, facing Sakurajima, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, across the bay, with Sengan-en garden and hot-sand baths at Ibusuki nearby.

The port for Mt Fuji, on Suruga Bay, with the mountain behind the harbour on a clear day. The Miho no Matsubara pine grove, the Kunozan Toshogu shrine and the tea fields of Shizuoka are close by; the lakes at the foot of Fuji make a longer day out.

The world’s largest city: Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya crossing, the gardens of the Imperial Palace and some of the best food on earth.