Japan in Spring - Cherry Blossom Season

Explore and marvel during Sakura season, when beautiful cherry blossom blankets the country. Taking you throughout the island of Honshu, visit Japan in spring to see a nation in full bloom. The unfolding beauty continues through Hakone National Park and Miyajima Island, two of the best and most picturesque places to see Japan’s famed blossom.

Tokyo, Kanazawa, Miyajima, Kyoto & Hakone

12 nights private tour from GBP £16,000 per person

Journey highlights

March and April is the perfect time to see the Cherry Blossoms, something Japan is well known for
Tokyo offers some beautiful and often overlooked parks, perfect for viewing the cherry blossom.
Miyajima is one of the crown jewels of Japan
Discover Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, one of Japan’s most famous gardens with excellent opportunities for blossom viewing

Our tailor made journeys include:

Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
Private international airport transfers in destination
Your own private, English-speaking local guides
Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
Entrance to must-see local sites
Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

Best time to visit

Good time to visit

Average time to visit

The best time to visit Japan to see the cherry blossom is late March or early April although this can vary year by year. If you are not able to visit in spring then the autumnal colours are also stunning.

Itinerary

Fly to Tokyo

Day 1-4

Tokyo, Japan

Starting off the journey you will have three nights in Tokyo. Even though this sprawling metropolis seems like a concrete jungle there are plenty of beautiful places where you can witness the cherry blossom including the Chidorigafuchi Moat of the Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yoyogi Park and Rikugien Garden to name a few. While you are in Tokyo we have included a day with a private guide for you to take you to these gorgeous parks using the efficient public transport system. This is not only a great way to get around the city but your guide can easily show you how everything works for when you want to explore on your own.

Accommodation: Palace Hotel, Tokyo ( 3 nights )

Grand Deluxe with Balcony - Palace Hotel

Day 4-6

Kanazawa, Japan

From Tokyo you will then head west, to Kanazawa, which takes approximately three hours on the bullet train. Taking the bullet train is not only a highly efficient way to travel but is also an experience in itself and a must when visiting Japan. Among the highlights of Kanazawa are beautiful Kenrokuen garden and the well-preserved Geisha and Samurai districts. All offer fantastic opportunities to witness the cherry blossom and we have included a full day of guiding in the city so that you can experience all of the highlights.

Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa ( 2 nights )

Day 6-8

Miyajimaguchi, Japan

Move south as you jump back on the train from Kanazawa to Kyoto and from there to Hiroshima, a journey time of just under four hours. At Hiroshima you will be met by your private driver and transferred to Miyajimaguchi where you will stay at a lovely intimate ryokan for the next two nights. Staying at a ryokan is a highlight of visiting Japan, dinner and breakfast are served directly to your room and you are encouraged to relax and enjoy the beautiful hospitality. From here you can also easily explore Miyajima Island, one of the most picturesque areas of Japan.

Accommodation: The Sekitei ( 2 nights )

Day 8-11

Kyoto, Japan

From Miyajimaguchi you will be driven back to Hiroshima station where you will take your train to Kyoto, which is a journey of just under two hours. Kyoto is the cultural gem of Japan with so many temples, shrines and palaces to see and you will have three nights to soak up the culture here. With these beautiful buildings come wonderful gardens and an excellent opportunity to spot the cherry blossoms. Some of the best spots are Maruyama-koen Park and the Imperial Palace Park. The Path of Philosophy and the Kamo-gawa River also are fantastic places to visit, each lined with cherry trees. We have included a day with a private guide and car for you on your first full day in the city to bring the history and culture of Kyoto to life and to make sure that you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto ( 3 nights )

Day 11-12

Hakone, Japan

From Kyoto you will make your way back up the island of Honshu, to Hakone National Park to enjoy views of Lake Ashi and Ft Fuji and completely relax and unwind. As in Miyajimaguchi, you’ll stay in a ryokan and can spend your time exploring Lake Ashi, relaxing in the lovely hot springs and enjoying walks through the magnificent countryside. With so much nature surrounding you here there are plenty of opportunities to see the cherry blossom.

Accommodation: Yoshimatsu ( 1 night )

Day 12-13

Nihonbashi Tokyo, Japan

For your final night in Japan you will be driven back to Odawara station where you will take a short 45-minute train to Tokyo. As this will be your second stop in the city you can make sure to tick off any sites that you missed on the first round and of course we can recommend some brilliant restaurants for you, with Tokyo playing home to some of the best in the world as the finale on your final night in Japan.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo ( 1 night )

Pool with a view - Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

Fly home from Tokyo

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
Call us on 020 3918 3595 to start planning your holiday.

Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and includes international flights)

Departing	Price from^* Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type. Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.	Deposit from ^*	Enquire
February 2025	GBP £16,000	GBP £2,400	plan your trip
March 2025	GBP £17,500	GBP £2,600	plan your trip
April 2025	GBP £17,500	GBP £2,600	plan your trip
May 2025	GBP £16,000	GBP £2,400	plan your trip

February 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £16,000
Deposit from*
GBP £2,400
March 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £17,500
Deposit from*
GBP £2,600
April 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £17,500
Deposit from*
GBP £2,600
May 2025
Price from ^*

Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.

Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.

Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
GBP £16,000
Deposit from*
GBP £2,400
plan your trip