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12-Day Japan Grand Sakura Odyssey – TOKYO - Hiroshima

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Japan in cherry blossom season

A Sakura Odyssey Through Japan

Follow a spring journey from Tokyo through Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and western Japan. This itinerary brings together gardens, temples, art, and moments of reflection, with cherry blossom walks woven into the experience. The program below includes an additional departure day; ask us to tailor the schedule to your available time.

This is a proposed private itinerary. Hotels, transportation, meals, admissions, and experiences are confirmed in your written quotation. Cherry blossom timing and Mount Fuji views depend on natural conditions.

Your Day-by-Day Journey

Day 1 – March 27: Arrive in Tokyo

  • Airport → Hotel via private vehicle
  • Rest and recover from jet lag
  • Optional neighborhood exploration
  • Accommodation: Park Hotel Tokyo or Tokyo Prince Hotel

    • Day 2 – March 28: Tokyo Cherry Blossom Highlights

    Private Vehicle + Guide

    Morning:

  • Senso-ji Temple - Tokyo's oldest temple (628 AD), Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street

    • Late Morning:

  • Chidorigafuchi - Tokyo's #1 hanami spot, Imperial moat lined with 700m of sakura
  • Chidorigafuchi Boat Ride - Row beneath cherry blossom canopy
  • Imperial Palace East Gardens - Former Edo Castle grounds, multiple cherry varieties

    • Afternoon:

  • Ginza - Luxury shopping district, department stores, boutiques

    • Evening:

  • Meguro River - 4km of lantern-lit cherry trees, most romantic hanami in Tokyo
  • Dinner in Nakameguro

    • Day 3 – March 29: Tokyo Gardens

  • Shinjuku Gyoen - 144 acres, 1,000+ cherry trees of 65+ varieties, extended bloom season
  • Ueno Park - 1,200 cherry trees, traditional hanami parties, Tokyo's oldest public park
  • Tokyo National Museum (optional)
  • Ameya Yokocho Market - Street food and shopping

    • Day 4 – March 30: Kamakura Day Trip

    Private Vehicle + Guide (1.5 hours from Tokyo)

  • Engaku-ji Temple - Rinzai Zen temple (1282), cherry-lined approach
  • Hase-dera Temple - Terraced hillside temple, 9.18m Kannon statue, coastal cherry blossoms with ocean views, thousands of Jizo statues
  • Great Buddha - 13.35m bronze Amida Buddha (1252), can walk inside
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu - Samurai shrine, long cherry-lined approach
  • Return to Tokyo

    • Day 5 – March 31: Tokyo → Mt. Fuji → Hakone

    Mt. Fuji Area:

  • Arakurayama Sengen Park - THE iconic photo: Chureito Pagoda + Mt. Fuji + cherry blossoms (398-step climb)
  • Hoto Noodle Making - Make traditional regional noodles, enjoy handmade lunch
  • Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway - 360° views of Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko, cherry blossoms
  • Oishi Park - Lakefront gardens with Fuji backdrop

    • Evening: Hakone

  • Check into onsen ryokan
  • Kaiseki dinner included
  • Natural hot spring baths

    • Accommodation: Hakone Ginyu or Yumoto Fujiya Hotel (with dinner/breakfast)

    Day 6 – April 1: Hakone → Kyoto

    Private Vehicle + Shinkansen

    Morning: Hakone

  • Hakone Open-Air Museum - 70,000m² sculpture park, Picasso Pavilion
  • Hakone Shrine - Iconic torii gate in Lake Ashi
  • Private vehicle to Odawara Station
  • Shinkansen to Kyoto (2h 15min)
  • Check into Kyoto hotel
  • Gion District exploration
  • Shirakawa Canal

    • Accommodation: Hotel Kanra Kyoto or Hotel Vischio Kyoto

    Day 7 – April 2: Kyoto's Philosopher's Path

  • Nanzen-ji Temple - Massive Sanmon Gate, brick aqueduct, rock garden
  • Philosopher's Path - 2km canal walk, 500+ cherry trees, named for philosopher Nishida Kitaro
  • Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - Sand garden, moss garden, city views
  • Kiyomizu-dera - 13m-high wooden stage, panoramic Kyoto views with cherry foreground, Otowa Waterfall
  • Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka - Preserved historic streets
  • Yasaka Pagoda

    • Day 8 – April 3: Kyoto Golden Pavilion & Arashiyama

  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - Gold-leaf covered Zen temple, pond reflection
  • Ryoan-ji (optional) - Famous rock garden

    • Late Morning/Afternoon: Arashiyama

  • Bamboo Grove - Towering bamboo forest cathedral
  • Togetsukyo Bridge - Cherry-lined Katsura River
  • Tenryu-ji Temple - "Borrowed scenery" garden incorporating Arashiyama mountains
  • Haradani-en Garden - 200+ weeping cherry trees, secret late-blooming paradise

    • Late Afternoon:

  • Private Geisha Tea Ceremony - Authentic ceremony with geisha/maiko, learn etiquette

    • Day 9 – April 4: Kyoto Imperial & Southern Temples → Osaka

  • Kyoto Imperial Palace - Former emperor residence (1,000+ years), Enthronement Hall
  • Kyoto Gyoen Garden - Park surrounding palace
  • To-ji Temple - 55m five-story pagoda (Kyoto's tallest), cherry blossoms frame pagoda
  • Maruyama Park - Giant weeping cherry tree (Gion Shidarezakura), illuminated at night
  • Yasaka Shrine
  • Kamogawa River & Pontocho - Cherry-lined riverbanks, narrow restaurant alley
  • Transfer to Osaka (1 hour)
  • Dotonbori district (optional) - Neon lights, street food

    • Accommodation: Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Granvia, or Cross Hotel Osaka

    Day 10 – April 5: Osaka → Himeji → Okayama

    Private Vehicle + Shinkansen + Guide

  • Osaka Castle - 8-story keep, 3,000+ cherry trees in park

    • Late Morning: Shinkansen to Himeji

  • Himeji Castle - Japan's largest original castle, 1,000+ cherry trees, White Heron Castle, survived WWII intact
  • Koko-en Garden - Nine connected gardens, weeping cherries over ponds, tea ceremony pavilion
  • Shinkansen to Okayama
  • Kurashiki (optional) - Preserved merchant town, willow-lined canals

    • Accommodation: Hotel Granvia or ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama

    Day 11 – April 6: Okayama → Naoshima → Hiroshima

    Private Vehicle + Ferry + Guide

  • Korakuen Garden - One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, 37 acres, cherry blossoms frame Okayama Castle views

    • Midday: Naoshima Art Island

  • Ferry to Naoshima (20 min)
  • Chichu Art Museum - Underground museum by Tadao Ando, Monet's Water Lilies, James Turrell light installations
  • Benesse House Museum - Art-hotel, works by Warhol, Hockney
  • Kusama's Pumpkins - Yellow pumpkin on pier (iconic photo), red pumpkin
  • Return ferry + private vehicle to Hiroshima (2.5 hours)

    • Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Hiroshima or Hiroshima Intelligent Hotel

    Day 12 – April 7: Miyajima Island & Hiroshima

    Morning: Miyajima

  • Ferry to sacred island (10 min)
  • Itsukushima Shrine - UNESCO site, "floating" vermilion torii gate in sea, built over water
  • Momijidani Park & Ropeway - Cherry blossoms in valley, summit views of Seto Inland Sea
  • Yamada-ya - Fresh momiji manju (maple leaf cakes)

    • Afternoon: Hiroshima

  • Peace Memorial Park - Cherry blossoms line Motoyasu River, A-Bomb Dome
  • Atomic Bomb Museum - Moving exhibits from August 6, 1945
  • Shukkeien Garden - Weeping cherries reflect in pond, miniaturized landscapes
  • Farewell dinner - Hiroshima okonomiyaki or oysters

    • Day 13 – April 8: Hiroshima → Tokyo → Departure

  • Private vehicle to Hiroshima Station
  • Shinkansen to Tokyo (4 hours)
  • Transfer to Narita/Haneda Airport
  • International departure

    • A Journey That Feels Like You

    Tell us what you love, how you like to travel, and the details that matter most. We can tailor the proposed route, accommodations, and experiences to your preferences.

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