We’ll explore Japan by first visiting its former capital Nara, birthplace of Japanese culture. After a good look at Nara including its beautiful countryside we’ll head for the spiraling Himeji Castle, perhaps the most beautiful of Japan’s Tokugawa-era castles, and then spend a couple of days visiting Kurashiki, which has been referred to by many as “Japan’s Venice”. Kurashiki offers many museums, galleries and shops to peruse and become familiar with before we make our way to Hiroshima stopping en route in Okayama. We end in Hiroshima where we’ll visit the memorials before ferrying to Miyajima Island where we’ll see the UNESCO World Heritage Site—the famed and marvelously constructed Itsukushima Shrine, resting over the water.

This is one of our handy, week-long itineraries designed to link together for an in-depth exploration of Japan, to stand alone as a Private Departure or to act as a jumping-off idea for a Custom Journey.

Day 1: arrive in Nara, Japan’s first capital • Day 2: Nara’s beautiful countryside by local train, Imai-Cho’s traditional homes, Muro-ji’s pagoda (designated as a National Treasure) • Day 3: Kurashiki via 14th-century Himeji Castle, one of the country’s finest • Day 4: Kurashiki, sometimes called “Japan’s Venice”, visit the town’s many shops, galleries and museums • Day 5: Hiroshima via Okayama’s Castle and Korakuen Park • Day 6: Hiroshima memorials, ferry to Miyajima Island and its Itsukushima Shrine • Day 7: depart Hiroshima.

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