Japan Cherry Blossom Experience - 12 Days
Japan at its most magical during cherry blossom season. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and beyond, timed perfectly for sakura viewing.
Overview
Experience Japan at its most magical during cherry blossom season. This carefully crafted 12-day journey takes you from Tokyo through ancient Kyoto and culinary Osaka, timed to coincide with the sakura bloom. Witness hanami parties, ancient temples adorned with pink petals, and Japanese culture at its most celebratory.
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrival in Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Transfer from Narita or Haneda airport to your hotel in the Shinjuku district. Rest and recover from your flight with an evening orientation walk through the neon-lit streets.
- Hotel check-in
Contemporary hotel in Shinjuku
- Shinjuku orientation walk
Experience Tokyo's neon wonderland
- Welcome dinner
Traditional izakaya experience
Tokyo - Traditional & Modern
Contrast old and new Tokyo. Morning at the ancient Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, then cross the city to the futuristic Shibuya district. Experience the famous scramble crossing and ascend Shibuya Sky for panoramic views.
- Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple and Nakamise shopping street
- Lunch in Asakusa
Traditional soba noodles
- Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest intersection
- Shibuya Sky
Rooftop observation deck
- Harajuku exploration
Youth fashion capital
Tokyo - Cherry Blossom Highlights
Today is dedicated to cherry blossom viewing. Visit Tokyo's most spectacular hanami spots including Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi moat, and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Join the locals for a picnic under the sakura.
- Ueno Park
One of Tokyo's premier sakura spots
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
Free gardens with beautiful cherry trees
- Hanami picnic
Traditional bento lunch under cherry trees
- Chidorigafuchi
Iconic moat with row boat rental
- Yozakura (night viewing)
Illuminated cherry blossoms
Tokyo to Hakone
Escape the city for the natural beauty of Hakone. Take the scenic "Hakone Free Pass" route including cable cars, ropeway, and pirate ship across Lake Ashi with views of Mt. Fuji. Overnight in a traditional ryokan with onsen hot springs.
- Shinkansen to Odawara
35 minute bullet train ride
- Hakone circuit begins
Switchback train and cable car
- Owakudani
Volcanic valley with black eggs
- Lake Ashi pirate ship
Scenic cruise with Mt. Fuji views
- Ryokan check-in
Traditional Japanese inn
- Onsen time
Natural hot spring baths
Hakone to Kyoto
Morning at leisure in the ryokan before traveling to Kyoto by bullet train. Afternoon orientation walk through Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district. Evening stroll along Pontocho alley.
- Morning onsen
Final soak before departure
- Shinkansen to Kyoto
2 hour journey
- Hotel check-in
Traditional machiya townhouse
- Gion district walk
Historic geisha quarter
- Pontocho dinner
Atmospheric riverside dining
Kyoto - Temples & Gardens
Full day exploring Kyoto's iconic temples. Early morning at Fushimi Inari with its thousands of vermillion torii gates, followed by the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the serene gardens of Ryoan-ji.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Thousands of torii gates at dawn
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Iconic gold-covered Zen temple
- Lunch in Arashiyama
Tofu cuisine
- Bamboo Grove
Walk through the magical bamboo forest
- Ryoan-ji Temple
Famous Zen rock garden
Kyoto - Cherry Blossom Day
Experience Kyoto's most spectacular cherry blossom locations. Visit Maruyama Park, the Philosopher's Path lined with sakura, and the beautiful grounds of Heian Shrine.
- Maruyama Park
Kyoto's most popular hanami spot
- Philosopher's Path
2km path lined with cherry trees
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Zen temple at path's northern end
- Heian Shrine
Weeping cherry trees in vast gardens
- Evening in Gion
Spot geisha during the flower season
Day Trip to Nara
Visit Japan's first permanent capital. Meet the famous bowing deer of Nara Park, marvel at the Great Buddha in Todai-ji, and explore the ancient Kasuga Grand Shrine with its thousands of lanterns.
- Train to Nara
45 minutes from Kyoto
- Nara Park
Feed the sacred deer
- Todai-ji Temple
World's largest wooden building and Great Buddha
- Lunch in Nara
Local specialty: kakinoha-zushi
- Kasuga Grand Shrine
3,000 stone and bronze lanterns
- Return to Kyoto
Evening free
Kyoto to Osaka
Morning tea ceremony experience in Kyoto before traveling to Japan's kitchen - Osaka. Afternoon in Osaka Castle park (another fantastic cherry blossom spot) and evening in the vibrant Dotonbori district.
- Tea ceremony
Traditional Japanese tea experience
- Nishiki Market
Kyoto's kitchen food market
- Train to Osaka
15 minutes by Shinkansen
- Osaka Castle Park
Castle and cherry blossoms
- Dotonbori
Osaka's neon-lit entertainment district
Osaka - Food Capital
Deep dive into Osaka's legendary food culture. Morning at Kuromon Market, cooking class learning to make takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and evening street food tour through the city's best food districts.
- Kuromon Market
Osaka's kitchen for 170 years
- Cooking class
Make takoyaki and okonomiyaki
- Shinsekai district
Retro neighborhood and kushikatsu
- Street food tour
Guided culinary adventure
Osaka - Free Day
Free day to explore at your own pace. Options include Universal Studios Japan, day trip to Hiroshima, exploring more of Osaka, or revisiting favorite spots from the journey.
- Free day
Universal Studios, Hiroshima day trip, or leisure
Departure
Transfer to Osaka's Kansai International Airport for your departure flight. Sayonara Japan!
- Airport transfer
Based on flight time
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