While planning a trip to Japan, I faced a conundrum of sorts – should I spend all my time in Tokyo or should I travel the country? Experience different aspects of Japanese culture or get to grips with the capital?

I opted to travel the country because I have no idea when I will revisit this magnificent country.

The real question is what to see.

After a little research, I thought visiting the major cities would be ideal. I knew the northern part of the Japanese archipelago was more rural. I’m sure the trekking options in the countryside would make for a great holiday. This was going to be my first time in Japan, and it seemed a shame to miss the centres of their civilisation.

I was tipped off to the Japan Rail Pass and I have to say that this was a game changer. The train system there is as efficient and effective as you’d expect it to be but it can be pricey. The Rail Pass, while not cheap, provides tourists with discounted fares. The catch is that you have to buy it outside of Japan, over the Internet, before you arrive. This costs around 200 EUR for a weekly pass but is good value. It gives you unlimited use of the Japanese Shiinkansen (bullet-train) and the JR national trains.

Which led me to my itinerary.

I knew I was going to fly into, and out of, Tokyo which gave me a reference point. After carefully considering the train network and schedule, I decided on the following:

1. Tokyo – Kyoto
2. Kyoto – Hiroshima
3. Hiroshima – Osaka
4. Osaka – Tokyo

This itinerary meant the least amount of time on trains while also being able to see the highlights of each destination. For example, if I had chosen to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima, I would have gone through Kyoto anyway which would have been a wasted trip.

Don’t ask me why I chose to start with Kyoto instead of Osaka – there is no reason, really, and the itinerary works just as well in reverse.

By spending a day in each city, I left a few days in Tokyo which, rightfully, deserves a little more attention than the other places.

So what should I do when I go back?

• For starters, I will pay more attention to Osaka and Kyoto as I only scratched the surface of what could be seen and done in these two places.
• The weather was not suitable for a trek up Mount Fuji so that is also on my list.
• Trekking and exploring the northern part of Japan is eye-opening, I’m told.
• The Cherry Blossom festival is an iconic image of Japanese culture that I would love to see in person.
• I have no idea if it is worth exploring the other islands that make up Japan, but something tells me that the trip alone would be worthwhile.