Cherry Blossom Tour
Cherry Blossom Tour
Enjoy the highlights of Japan during the stunning Sakura Cherry Blossom season
A 13 day tour that explores the very best of Japan’s culture and nature, during the popular cherry blossom season. Journey on the famous bullet train and sample the local specialities including fresh sushi and Hida Beef. Witness
Locations you will be visiting
-
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional
2 Days
-
Mt. Fuji, Japan
Japan's most famous and iconic mountain and a must-see destination
1 Day
-
Takayama, Japan
Takayama, has a riverside setting and is surrounded by nature
2 Days
-
Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa is referred to as “little Kyoto” due to its ancient streets and well-preserved neighbou...
1 Day
-
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan's former capital, is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites
2 Days
-
Hiroshima and Miyajima, Japan
Hiroshima, rebuilt after World War II, and stunning Miyajima island, are among the most visited spot...
1 Day
-
Osaka, Japan
Osaka is known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife and tasty street food.
2 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Cherry Blossom Tour
13 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Tokyo
Take a scheduled flight from your regional UK airport to Tokyo.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Tokyo
On arrival, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is at leisure.
DAY 3 Tokyo Sightseeing
This morning, after breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Visit Ueno Park, a great spot for cherry blossom, continue to Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, the most widely visited spiritual site in the world, and Nakamise Shopping Street, for traditional street food and souvenirs by the temple. There is the opportunity for photos at the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan, then continue to Shinjuku Gyoen Park, one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the city. The last stop of the day will be the Tokyo Tower, for breathtaking views of this amazing city, at the prettiest time of year.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 Tokyo to Hakone and Mt Fuji
Leave the hotel after breakfast for your trip to Hakone by coach. Enjoy a short cruise on the stunning Lake Ashi, with its torii gate and wonderful scenic vistas, and continue to the thrilling Owakudani Ropeway, for remarkable views of iconic Mt. Fuji. The night is spent in the Fuji area.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Drive
Note: The hotel on the 25 March 2020 departure will be the Breezbay Lake Resort Kawaguchiko, and on all other dates will be the Fuji Premium Resort.
DAY 5 Mt. Fuji to Takayama
A coach will take you to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station, about 2,300 metres above sea level, and panoramic views of the surrounding area. Your tour continues to Takayama for a two night stay with dinner each evening, stopping en-route to visit the Daio Wasabi Farm, where you can see how this famous and tangy, Japanese ingredient is grown.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Drive
DAY 6 Takayama
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Takayama including visits to Takayama-Jinya, a former government office dating back to 1692, and the traditional wooden buildings in Kamisannomachi Street. The tour ends at the Folk Craft Museum, furnished exactly as it would have been in times gone by. The rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps visit the Matsuri no Mori, a museum filled with items from the famous Takayama Festival.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7 Takayama to Shirakawago and Kanazawa
Travel to UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakawago, famous for the traditional gasshou-zukuri farmhouses, which are more than 250 years old, and unique to the area. Your journey continues to Kanazawa to explore the old Samurai district before admiring the Kenrokuen Garden, classified as one of the country’s most beautiful. The last stop is at the interactive Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, before checking-in at your accommodation for an overnight stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Drive
DAY 8 Kanazawa to Kyoto
Morning departure from Kanazawa for Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. On arrival in this historic city, the first stop will be at the stunning Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This celebrated temple, dating back to 780, has wonderful views of the city. At Maruyama Park, known as the best place to see cherry blossom in the area. Continue to Gion, Kyoto’s most famous Geisha district, where visitors can experience authentic local life. Check into your hotel at the end of the tour.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Drive
DAY 9 Kyoto and Nara Day Tour
After breakfast leave the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Kyoto and Nara. Visit the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) at the Todai-ji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden buildings and one of the best known temples in Japan, enshrining a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha. Next is Nara Deer Park where the deer roam freely, and you can feed or pet them (special food is sold in the park grounds). Return to Kyoto in the afternoon and the celebrated Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), followed by a Kimono show at the Nishijin Textile Centre. Return to the hotel and enjoy an evening at your leisure.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 10 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Your main luggage will be transferred from Kyoto to Osaka, so pack a small bag for your stay in Hiroshima. After breakfast, visit the Heian Jingu Shrine, home of perhaps the world’s most authentic and exquisite
Japanese gardens. Continue to Nijo Castle, which was built in the early 17th century. Catch a bullet train to
Hiroshima. We recommend trying a bento box for your lunch on the train (own expense). On arrival visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Genbaku-dome (The
Atomic Bomb Dome), which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, before checking into your hotel for an overnight stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Train
DAY 11 Hiroshima to Miyajima and Osaka
After breakfast leave the hotel for a ferry ride and sightseeing tour of Miyajima, to visit the Itsukushima Shrine. It is a picturesque sight where the mountains, sea and red shrine buildings blend in harmony. The entire island is designated as a historic site, and is one of the most beautiful places in Japan. Transfer to Osaka by bullet train, and on arrival, there is a photo opportunity at Osaka Castle, and the chance to explore Shinsaibashi, a popular shopping district, before checking into your hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Train
DAY 12 Osaka and Himeji
After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Himeji Castle, one of the most ancient and well-known castles in Japan. Continue to see Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, a suspension bridge that links Kobe to Awaji Island, and visit a Sake Brewery in the Nada District. There were three reasons for the development of Sake brewing in the 18th century that made the name of Nada known throughout Japan. One was the discovery of Miya-mizu, excellent water quality for making Sake; two, the production of high quality rice, an ingredient in Sake; and three, a convenient location for transportation by sea. Return to your hotel in Osaka, for the final evening of the tour, which is at your leisure
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 13 Fly to UK
Day at leisure until your transfer to Kansai International Airport by airport shuttle bus. Fly to your regional airport in the UK.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
-
View this packageJapan
Japan: Tokyo Sumo Experience & Chanko Lunch
Be a sumo wrestler for a day! Learn from the Sumo wrestlers about the history, practice and the tournaments. Try on a Sumo costume and challenge a Sumo wrestler to a match. Enjoy the traditional and symbolic meal Chanko-nabe.
-
View this packageJapan
Japan: Sushi Workshop Morning Tour, Tokyo
Experience hand-shaping and rolling sushi from a Tsukiji sushi chef and tour around Tsukiji Outer Fish Market to have an insight into how chef selects their fish for sushi.
-
View this packageJapan
Japan: Dinner with Maiko, Kyoto
Enjoy a traditional dinner with a Maiko, or apprentice Geisha and enjoy two traditional dance performances. Opportunity to ask questions and take photos with Maiko.
-
View this packageJapan
Ninja Wifi, Japan
WiFi on the go in Japan to help you stay connected.
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2020 / 21
Single supplement from £790
Land only from £3,549
(without international flights)
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
Japan: Cherry Blossom Tour
from£4,449
What's included:
- International flights
- Accommodation on twin share basis
- English speaking guides
- Transfers
- Bullet trains
- Baggage transfers for one piece
- Meals as specified
- Airport taxes
- Local tips
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
TOUR MAP
-
View this packageStopovers Tailor Made Beach
Dubai Stopover
4 day tour from £350
Dubai, the ultimate stopover destination for shopping and relaxation