Another big jump brings us into the tsunami area, where Matsushima Bay is one of the must see views in the whole of the country, then it's up into the mountains for more leaves, onsen hot springs and a temple before another jump down to the Seto Inland Sea, a trip across a rail bridge to Shikoku and straight back to the main island, the temple island at Miyajima, Hiroshima and on to Kyushu, where castles, gardens and local rail lines come into the mix.
That will use up most of the fourteen day rail pass, so the final day delivers us to Kansai, where we spend the next six days doing the big city bit in Osaka, the temples and gardens bit in Kyoto, catch up with acquaintances and end up in Kobe to reunite the suitcases and wing our way back home.
Anyway, the itinerary...
