Japan in 7 Days: Shinkansen, Shrines, and Sapporo Surprises
After a fascinating few weeks in China, I hopped over to Japan for a whirlwind one-week tour. Armed with a rail pass, I zipped from ancient castles in the south to the vibrant cities of the north, experiencing the incredible efficiency and beauty the country has to offer.
Kansai & Beyond on the Rails
My journey began with a ride on the adorable Hello Kitty Shinkansen to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle. The next few days were a blur of train travel and sightseeing. I paid a visit to the solemn sites of Hiroshima and the beautiful island of Miyajima , and later traveled to see the stunning Amanohashidate sandbar. One particularly ambitious day involved hopping between five different cities: Okayama, Takamatsu, Fukuyama, Onomichi, and Mihara.