Day 16: Himeji

Today we’ll depart Kyoto on the bullet train to Himeji. Himeji is home to the most impressive of Japan’s surviving feudal era fortresses (and also in the Bond movie ‘You Only Live Twice’), the castle is better known among Japanese as ‘Shirasagi-jo’ – the white egret castle – because of the supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.

After visiting the castle and gardens we’ll take the bullet train to Hiroshima.

Day 17: Hiroshima

Today we’ll have some free time to explore the city. We’ll visit the Peace Park, Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome.

Dat 18: Miyajima Island (some sea time)

Today we’ll travel south of Hiroshima to Miyajima, by the sea! Here we’ll visit the floating Itsukushima-jinja Shrine (arguably one of the most famous in Japan). We’ll hopefully take the Miyajima Ropeway, which climbs up Mount Misen for spectacular views over the island and bay.