City & beach: Tokyo & Okinawa

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tokyo.

After passing through customs and luggage collection, you're met by an airport guide who will give you your trip documents and direct you to the shared shuttle service, which takes you to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at leisure, resting and relaxing after your flight. If you want to explore, you may wish to walk around the Imperial Gardens.

Head into the city to see some of the highlights detailed in your documents. Perhaps take a cruise from the Hamarikyu Gardens up the Sumida River to the old district of Asakusa to see the impressive Sensoji temple. In the evening, head out with a guide to sample some of the local Tokyo cuisine in the vibrant district of Ebisu.

Get out of the city for the day and take the train to the seaside town of Kamakura, once Japan's capital and home to the Great Bronze Buddha. The journey takes about an hour. You can explore this town independently, visiting its many temples and shrines, including a quirky one where locals wash money, hoping that it will cause their fortunes to increase.

Today, travel by super-fast bullet train to Kyoto (a two-and-a-half-hour journey), home to some of Japan's most important works of art, its richest culture and most refined cuisine. After leaving your bags at your hotel, we recommend that you set off to see some of the iconic sights, including the Golden Pavilion, the Zen gardens of Ryoanji and the beautiful terrace of Kiyomizudera.

A day at leisure in Kyoto to wander the streets of this compact city. Nishiki market is one recommendation for buying kimono silks, beautiful art, and famous Japanese knives. It also sells tasty Japanese delicacies — try matcha sweets or squid. An evening ambling around the geisha district of Gion, looking out for these elusive women as they head out to work appointments, caps off the day.

Put your rail pass to good use and make a day trip to Hiroshima via bullet train (two hours one way). Here, you can explore the moving Peace Park, the haunting Atomic Bomb Dome and the Memorial Museum. Walk around the Shukkeien Garden, which dates from the Edo period and is said to represent all the seasons. For lunch, try the local speciality of okonomiyaki (pancakes served with cabbage and many other fillings).

This morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Miyakojima Island via Naha, the city and airport on the main island. Once you land in Miyakojima, make your way to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing by your hotel pool or basking on the soft sandy beach.

At leisure on Miyako Island. The best way to experience this place is simply to relax. Miyakojima's highlight is its beaches, some of the best in all of Japan. You can snorkel in its azure waters and the more energetic can take part in a range of water sports.

Another day at leisure to enjoy Maehama, Sunayama and Yoshino beaches. Today you may wish to try scuba diving at one of the nearby sites.

A third day on Miyako Island. As a change of pace, take a short domestic flight to the islands of Yaeyama. The main islands of Ishigaki, Taketomi and Iriomote have traditional villages and jungle walks.

Retrace your steps to the airport to board your flight back to Tokyo. Once landed, the airport express is the quickest way into the city where you can spend a final night in the capital. Try rounding off your trip with a visit to one of our recommended restaurants to enjoy yakitori or monjayaki — flour and vegetable batter served with different toppings.

Take the airport shuttle from the hotel lobby to Narita Airport for your return flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.