13-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Tour: Hanami & Heritage Japan
Essence of Spring
Experience Japan’s Magical Sakura Season
Experience Japan at its most breathtaking on this 13-day Japan cherry blossom tour, journeying through the country’s most iconic cities during sakura season.
The Cherry Blossom or Sakura is the Japanese’s favorite season. This is the period when the ornamental cherry trees of Japan reveal their beautiful flowers.
We invite you to come and admire the cherry trees in various landscapes and in several historic cities of Japan, whether they mingle with skyscrapers, historical monuments or beautiful natural settings.
You will also discover the history, modernity, culture and tradition of the Empire of the Rising Sun.
Price
From USD 5,250 per person – excl. flights
(double occupancy)
When to visit
Late March ~ Mid-April
Length of stay
Ideally 2 Weeks
Tour Highlights
- Admire cherry blossoms in some of Japan’s most scenic parks, temples, and historic cities
- Enjoy breathtaking Mount Fuji views in the Hakone region
- Ride the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train for a true Japanese travel experience
- Discover timeless temples and shrines in Kyoto, Nara, and Miyajima
- Savor authentic Japanese food and enjoy cultural experiences throughout the journey
Perfect for
- Cherry blossom enthusiasts seeking to witness Japan’s iconic sakura season while discovering the cultural traditions that make this time of year so special.
- Adventure seekers who want both must-see landmarks and hidden gems, guided by local insights that only true Japan experts can provide.
- For travelers seeking to experience Japan’s most iconic destinations and authentic culture in a short time.
What’s included
- A tailor-made itinerary crafted personally for you
- English-Speaking resident tour director and local guides
- A curated collection of stays
- Large choice of tours & experiences
- Airport Meet and Greet with private transfers
- Internet access
- Thoughtful customer service
- And more !
Day 1 – Tokyo Arrival
Yokoso 日本へようこそ！– Welcome to Japan !
After clearing customs and immigration, transfer by private car to your ideally located hotel.
Then you’ll likely spend your first day in Japan just getting settled.
You might want to lock down some of the best food in Tokyo and enjoy a truly unique meal! A multi-course kaiseki, an omakase sushi experience…
Or follow the lead of our guide and enjoy nighttime cherry blossom viewing, known as “yozakura,”
Day 2 – Tokyo
Tokyo is a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis which brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.
Most visitors to Tokyo will visit the most well-known sights – Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine. These are all of course worth visiting, but Tokyo also offer a multitude of choices for travelers looking for a less touristy and typical Japanese experience.
The real charm of Tokyo is more discreet. We can discover it in the maze of streets behind the main one, with a village atmosphere, miles away from urban life. It is warm and simple, full of nice shops with clean design as well as charming cafes and small bars…
But the highlight of spring in Tokyo is undoubtedly the cherry blossom or Sakura season. And it’s a must-see with your private guide, when visiting Japan in spring!
Day 3 – Tokyo
Witness for another day the beauty of cherry blossoms against the backdrop of Tokyo attractions. During this magical time, Tokyo transforms into a stunning pink and white wonderland as cherry blossoms bloom across the city.
You can join Tokyoites in having fun and welcoming spring at
- The 2 kilometers long promenade Sotobori
- The popular Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- The sea of pink in Ueno Parc
- Yoyogi Park for a Hanami Picnic
- Meguro-gawa, the sakura river in Tokyo
- …
Alternatively, choose from our curated Tokyo experiences.
Day 4 – Tokyo / Hakone
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) or Romance Car to Hakone.
Nestled in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Hakone is a picturesque resort town renowned for its natural beauty, hot springs, and stunning views of Mount Fuji (if the weather permit).
It is fun journey which combines rides on several trains or buses, funicular, cable car and enjoy a cruise across the peaceful Ashino-ko lake, surrounded by natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji.
Hakone is also one of Japan’s most popular hot spring resorts, with more than a dozen springs providing hot spring water to the many bath houses and ryokan in the area.
At your ryokan, you will be treated to a tasty traditional Kaiseki dinner before retiring to your room and your private hot spring bath.
Day 5 – Hakone / Kyoto
Before transferring to Odawara for your shinkansen journey to Kyoto, you might consider a visit to the Hakone Open Air Museum with its Picasso exhibit.
In the evening, explore Gion with your guide – Gion is part of the Higashiyama or “Eastern Mountain” area of Kyoto. It’s one of the famous geisha (called “geiko” in Kyoto) districts in the city, stretching from Yasaka Shrine in the east to the Kamo River in the west, and from the Shirakawa Canal in the north to Kenninji Temple in the south.
Not the only geisha district left in Japan, Gion is a collection of streets defined by its traditional wooden merchant houses, beautifully illuminated by glittering neon lights and exclusive Japanese restaurants.
As dusk falls, you might catch a glimpse of a geiko (Kyoto’s term for geisha) or a maiko (apprentice geiko) gracefully hurrying to an appointment.
Day 6 – Kyoto
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and has the reputation of being its most beautiful city.
However, visitors may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto’s beautiful side. Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto was able to keep the customs and traditions of the Old Japan, as it was spared from the bombing of the Second World War and was never affected by earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Nonetheless, the persistent visitor will soon discover Kyoto’s hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city center, and find that the city is boasting a plethora of must-see attractions and has much more to offer than immediately meets the eye.
Kyoto’s sakura season is Japan’s ultimate bucket-list experience. For a short few weeks, cherry blossom trees bloom on every street corner of the beautiful Ancient Capital. Beyond the city center, magnificent temples and serene parks reveal the deeper beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 7 – Nara / Yoshino
Nara was in the 8th century the first fixed capital of Japan, under the name of Heijo-kyo, as before, according to the Shinto beliefs, death was impure and it was necessary to destroy everything that was related to the Emperor after his death.
Nara is home to many important historical sites, such as Todai-ji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure, with its Daibutsuden (Hall of the Great Buddha).
Nestled in the heart of Nara, you will discover the Yoshino Sakura, also known as Somei Yoshino, one of the most famous and beloved varieties of cherry blossom in Japan. It is named after the Mont Yoshino a UNESCO World Heritage site, where these cherry trees were first cultivated.
The area is known as “Ichimoku ni senbon”, meaning “the luxury of seeing 1,000 cherry trees”. But in fact, there are some 30,000 here.
Day 8 – Kyoto / Okayama / Kurashiki
Travel by shinkansen to Okayama
Okayama is the site of Korakuen, known as one of the top three traditional gardens in Japan, along with Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen and Mito’s Kairakuen. And Okayama Castle, which is ranked among the best 100 Japanese castles.
Korakuen features about 300 cherry trees in an orchard and spread across the gardens, while the neighboring castle grounds are decorated by another 200 trees.
Spend the evening in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, that truly shines when the lanterns and streetlights illuminate the narrow streets and traditional buildings. Each spring, the entire area is illuminated with traditional lanterns using Kiriko paper hoods, Japanese umbrellas, and shadow pictures.
Day 9 – Okayama / Hiroshima
Board a shinkansen to Hiroshima.
Capital of the prefecture of the same name, Hiroshima is the most important city of the Chugoku region.
The most recognizable memorial in Hiroshima, the Atomic Bomb Dome is also known for its beautiful row of cherry blossoms. The beautiful scenery of the blossoms and the river, along with the presence of the dome, create a peaceful yet haunting reminder of the horrors of war.
You will spend the rest of the day and evening in Itsukushima.
The island, popularly known as Miyajima, is famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views and is lit up from sunset to 11 pm all year. It’s particularly stunning during cherry blossom season, with around 1,900 cherry trees blooming across the island.
Day 10 – Hiroshima / Himeji / Osaka
Travel by shinkansen to Himeji.
Himeji is a small town located at the western end of the Kansai region famous for its wooden castle.
The castle grounds Himeji-jo, nicknamed Hakurojo or Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle) is a renowned cherry blossom viewing spot in Japan. Approximately 1.000 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry trees, and yaezakura, surround the castle, creating a picturesque scene with the white castle walls.
In the afternoon you will board another shinkansen to Osaka.
Enjoy the evening in Osaka, an explosion of neon and entertainment at Osaka’s Times Square. By day, Dotonbori, the bustling main street, caters to every taste, but it truly comes alive at night, earning its place as one of Japan’s iconic landmarks.
As dusk falls, neon lights and billboards transform the streets into a mesmerizing spectacle, teeming with shoppers, families, and friends.
Day 11 – Osaka / Kanazawa
Travel by train and shinkansen to Kanazawa.
Kanazawa is a captivating city on the coast of the Sea of Japan, renowned for its well-preserved historical districts, Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens”, and rich cultural heritage.
Kanazawa’s importance grew in the 15th century, when the powerful and militant Ikko sect established its new headquarters there after being chased out of Kyoto by the monks of Mont Hiei. During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda clan, the second most powerful clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).
Unlike Kyoto, which can sometimes feel overrun with tourists, Kanazawa offers a more intimate and authentic experience, allowing visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture.
Explore the Geisha districts after dark, hear the tales of what actually went on in this district during the Edo period.
Day 12 – Kanazawa / Tokyo
You may want to skip breakfast at your hotel and get one at Omicho Market which has been Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo Period. Take your pick from squid, octopus, ikura (salmon roe), and even fresh iwagaki (rock oysters) and uni (sea urchins) that you can eat right on the spot.
And before heading back to Tokyo, you may want to do some shopping. The city is renowned for its exceptional artistry, with skills passed down through generations, creating a treasure trove of exquisite traditional crafts.
Then in the afternoon board a shinkansen to Tokyo for your last evening in the land of the rising sun.
Day 13 – Final Day – Tokyo & Departure
Depending on your departure time, enjoy some final shopping in Tokyo —a shopper’s paradise offering everything from cutting-edge fashion and electronics to gourmet food products, home goods, and unique souvenirs.
Whether seeking bargain finds or luxury brands, Tokyo’s diverse shopping districts have something for every taste and budget.
Transfer by private car to the International Airport for your departure flight.
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