Trying to plan a visit to Japan for the Sakura (cherry) blossom in spring, but don't know where to start?
Here we are pleased to share our well-planned itinerary with you. The perfect holiday experience is just one click away!
You'll get to enjoy the seas of pink cherry blossoms with our professional local guide throughout this 10-day journey in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Be ready to snap the perfect spring photos and truly experience Japan during its peak season!
Why Travel with Us
- Have a single guide for all your adventures in Japan, instead of a different one in each city! With this approach, your guide will ride the Shinkansen with you, ensuring your journey unfolds seamlessly.
- The most competitive price without a big-coach-tour feel.
- The best destination connections to maximize your time and comfort.
- Unique AH hand-picked experiences as mentioned on this page.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Incredible Service and Flexibility
We did a two week trip with Asia Highlights to Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and a private side trip to Koyasan. There is no way I can summarize all the good things we experienced in Japan from the food, the cultural shows, the nation's natural beauty, the sense of service by Japanese and more. For those considering a tour with Asia Highlights I cannot recommend them enough. The two words I'd use to describe them are "flexibility" and "service". More
Richard, Sep 2024
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Our guide Slash was wonderful
Our guide Slash was wonderful! So considerate about making sure we were safe and comfortable and had our tickets in hand. He was always in a good mood and patient with questions. We would definitely recommend his services and give him high marks for representing his country. Great time More
Beret, Aug 2024
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Tremendous support
I'm really thankful, and i appreciate how mrs. Alisa is been so helpful and supporting me for any question or requirement i need More
Mohammed Maktoum-j, Aug 2024
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Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Asia Highlights (AH Hand-Picked) included in this tour:
Enjoy a worry-free fully guided hanami ('viewing flowers in bloom') during the cherry blossom season.
Lose yourself in the rich history and various temples.
Witness the Fuji Five Lakes during the cherry blossom season.
Learn sushi making from a local master in Tokyo.
Experience the fastest train on the world-famous Shinkansen lines.
Having a memorable afternoon tea with a geisha.
Travel between the modern and old days of Osaka.
Journey Route
The Itinerary in Detail
- Konichiwa! Welcome to the capital city of Japan!
- To reach your hotel from the airport, we recommend opting for a taxi. This choice offers the utmost convenience and ease. If you favor a private transfer, please relay this to your travel advisor. We will be pleased to arrange this for you, providing the contact information for your driver ahead of your arrival.
Explore the fascinating city of Tokyo with its top attractions: Meiji Shrine, Omotesando avenue, Asakusa old district, and Hamarikyu garden:
- Walk among the history and be a part of the story of Meiji Shrine.
- See the world's top fashion trends at the Omotesando.
- Soak in the atmosphere of the Tokyo of old at Asakusa.
- Relax at the Hamarikyu Garden from the Edo Period, which finds itself nestled amidst futuristic skyscrapers.
Have a day excursion out of Tokyo by private car with a personal guide, and discover the beauty and stories of the Fuji Five Lakes area.
- Board a cruise, and sail around Lake Kawaguchiko.
- Admire the works of Kubota Itchiku, one of Japan's greatest kimono artists, at Kubota Itchiku Art Museum.
- Enter the Sengen Shrine in the thick cedar forest below Mt. Fuji, constructed in 788 AD.
Dive into the daily life of local Japanese, and enjoy a cheerful view of the sakura (cherry blossom) along the Sumida River.
- Pay a visit to the world's largest fish market – Tsukiji Market, and witness the daily life of locals
- Sample some of the freshly-prepared finger foods at the market if interested.
- Delve into the art of sushi-making in an authentic local setting, where you'll experience a delightful blend of tradition and simplicity.
- Enjoy a river boat ride on the Sumida River, smell the atmosphere of sakura and get great views of the cherry blossom along the river side for your hanami.
- Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by the fastest train — a Nozomi.
- Your experienced local guide in Tokyo will board the train with you to Kyoto and accompany you throughout the entire journey. This ensures a worry-free travel experience where you don't have to stress about boarding the train, navigating routes, or overcoming language barriers. Furthermore, there's no risk of having an inexperienced guide at your next destination. Relax and enjoy!
- Visiting one of Kyoto's most famous temples — Kinkaku-ji ('Golden Pavilion').
- Head to Nijo Castle — a two-ring-fortfied, 400-year-old castle built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence, surrounded by stunning gardens.
- Walk down Nishiki Market, a narrow, five-block-long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. It's known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen'.
- Visit Kiyomizu ('Pure Water') Temple — enjoyable and a famous Kyoto landmark.
- Explore the back streets of Kyoto's geisha districts with the leading foreign geisha-culture expert.
- Sample traditional song and dance, and do games, which make great photo opportunities at a ochaya (Geisha teahouse).
- Enter Fushimi Inari Shrine, which was used in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha".
- Quench your thirst at a sake brewery. Learn about the traditional brewing process, and then sample the different types of Japanese sake.
- Lose yourself on the Philosopher's Path, and enjoy the blossom of hundreds of cherry trees.
- Wander between Ginkaku-ji ('Silver Pavilion') and the neighborhood of Nanzen-ji and try not to count the small temples and shrines during the walk.
- Our private transfer will whisk you away to Osaka. After a week of travel, it's the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and rejuvenate.
- Your guide and the hotel staff will be more than happy to offer suggestions to assist you in exploring the city on your own.
- Optional day-trips are avaliable!
- Step into the magnificent Osaka Castle as well as into the history of Osaka.
- Taste the famous street food takoyaki (octopus dumplings) in the bustling district of Dotonbori.
- Take the chance to admire famed Japanese prints from the 18th century, and make your own woodblock print at Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum.
- Astonish yourself with the panorama of Osaka City by standing in Floating Garden Observatory.
- We hope your journey home provides a happy conclusion to your holiday!
- For your transfer to the airport, we recommend securing a taxi—our hotel staff are readily available to assist with this booking. If you prefer a pre-arranged private transfer, please communicate your requirements to your travel advisor.
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features, and we may adujust the hotel arrangement based on their availability due to high demand.
Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa (4-star)or similar
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Terrace Hachijo Premier (4-star) or similar
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Hotel Vischio Osaka (4-star) or similar
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Price Includes:
- Train tickets between Tokyo and Kyoto as mentioned in the itinerary.
- English-speaking tour guide and vehicle service as listed
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotels listed in the itinerary or similar options based on availability
- Breakfasts at hotels and listed meals in the itinerary
- Governmental taxes
Price Excludes:
- International flights to Tokyo and depart from Osaka
- Airport-hotel transfers in both Tokyo and Osaka
- Tips for the guide and the driver (suggested USD 80 per person)
- Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation received up to 30 days before departure: 100% refund
- Cancellation received 14 to 29 days before departure: 50% refund
- Cancellation received 0 to 13 days before departure: 0% refund
Tour code: ah-jp-11-gp
*It is possible to have a private tour with the same itinerary as this one (or a bespoke version of it). Please contact us for a quote using the tour code: ah-jp-11-gp, and let us know any customization you would like.
Inquire now! Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
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At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.