Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka, tailor-made, fully flexible travel

Modern, eccentric, unparalleled, extravagant, attractive, crazy, fun, solemn, traditional... Words struggle to define a city like Tokyo, a vibrant global metropolis with thirteen million inhabitants. Despite spearheading technological innovations and urban modernity, it retains a perpetual traditional soul that makes it a potpourri of contrasts. Highlights awaiting you include the Akihabara neighbourhood, a true geek's paradise; the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, where up to a thousand people can coincide at the same time; or the area known as Golden Gai, a maze of winding streets and narrow two-storey wooden buildings full of cute bars, each with its own eccentric character. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of the endless attractions offered by the unforgettable capital of Japan.

Located in the prefecture of Kanagawa, less than a hundred kilometres away from Tokyo, Hakone is a very popular destination, pulling in city dwellers and tourists alike thanks to its magnificent landscape around Mount Fuji and its numerous onsen (hot springs). The most touristy areas are Hakone-Yumoto, the point of entry and exit by public transport; Moto-Hakone, one of the ports for boats sailing across Lake Ashi; Hakone-Machi, another busy port from which boats depart and arrive; Gora, interchange point between the Tozan train and the funicular; and Owakudani, the volcanic and sulphurous zone where black eggs are a delicacy. Perfectly situated in the heart of the Japanese Alps and with a stunning old quarter, Takayama will take us on a journey back in time to discover the Japan of yesteryear.

Capital of Japan between the eighth and nineteenth centuries, Kyoto proudly hosts an exceptional and diverse legacy in the fields of arts, culture, religion and thinking. Each step will take you to a new architectural treasure in the form of a castle, palace, temple, sanctuary or garden. Among all this architectural wealth, highlights include the sumptuous Nijo Castle, residence of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu; the 1,001 gilded wooden statues of the Sanjusangendo Temple; the temples of Kiyomizu, Ryoanji, Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion); and the Katsura Imperial Villa, one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture. Don't miss the Gion neighbourhood, the ideal place to discover 'Kabuki' theatre, traditional arts such as floral arranging, and the 'Maiko', whose ornate appearance is the stereotype of the geisha for Westerners.

Hiroshima is a city that you definitely shouldn't overlook, inviting you to reflect on the barbarities that human beings are capable of committing. And, precisely, the Peace Memorial Park, an area where the atomic bomb fell in 1945, is one of the most symbolic points of the city. Other musts include the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum. If you have time, head up to Hiroshima Castle and combine the visit with Miyajima.

The third-biggest city in Japan, Osaka is one of the most attractive destinations in the Land of the Rising Sun. Not surprisingly, one of its monuments is the most visited tourist attraction in the whole of Japan, both by local tourists and foreigners. We're talking about the majestic Osaka Castle, an emblem of power since the late fifteenth century. What's more, you'll get to enjoy the siren song of Japanese technology, with state-of-the-art projects such as the 173-metre Umeda Sky Building, which simulates a floating city and boasts a great observation deck; the spectacular Osaka Aquarium, one of the largest in the world; and numerous theme parks, such as Universal Studios Japan or Expoland, which are attracting more and more visitors each year. And make sure you head to the Dotonbori neighbourhood, in the heart of Osaka, to experience the city's crazy nightlife and famous karaoke bars.