As you zoom your way to Kyoto from Tokyo by Bullet train, look out for splendid views of Mt Fuji if the weather permits. After lunch at the New Miyako Hotel, you'll travel to Nara in Japan's Kansai region. Nara was the country's first permanent capital city, and has an abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites. You'll visit the Todaiji Temple housing a great image of Buddha, colorful Kasuga Shrine with 3,000 lanterns, and the Deer Park, where tame deer freely roam.

After spending the night in Kyoto, you'll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, noted for its gorgeous interiors, and KyotoImperial Palace. After lunch at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, you'll visit Sanjusangendo Temple with its 1,001 impressive images of Buddha, the vermilion-hued Heian Shinto shrine and the Kiyomizu Buddhist temple.

You then have the option of returning to Tokyo by Bullet train, or staying another night in Kyoto and returning to Tokyo by Bullet train the next evening after spending the day exploring the city at your leisure.

• Nijo Castle - On Tuesdays in January, July, August and December 'Nijo Castle' is closed a visit to 'Ryoanji Temple' will be included instead.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace - On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays and some other days, Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed and a visit to 'Kitano Tenmangu' will be included instead. On June 25, September 25 and December 25, you will visit 'Ryoanji Temple' instead.