Classic Sakura of Japan with Riki

Highlights

• Experience hanami (cherry blossom viewing) across Japan.
• Visit Sensoji Temple in Tokyo.
• Try indigo dyeing in Asakusa.
• Tour the newly restored Himeji Castle, Japan's best.
• Reflect at the Hiroshima Peace Park & Museum.
• See the majestic floating red O-Torii on Miyajima.
• Join a Cherry Blossom Festival in Tsuyama.
• Stay at a luxurious onsen ryokan with a kaiseki dinner.
• Enjoy a tour of Kyoto with Riki in his home town, and see Miyako Odori (Spring season dance) at Gion.
• Visit Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa.
• See the world heritage listed village of Shirakawago.
• Visit the 7th century Zenkoji Temple in Nagano.
• See the snow monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring.

Inclusions

• Transport and entry to all places described
• Accommodation and meals described
• The services of Riki Inamura, the tour escort
• Airport-hotel transfers in Japan

Exclusions

• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Gratuity
• Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone, camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure, tax etc.
• Any travel services required to arrive at the starting location.

Travel to Tokyo Tuesday 26th March 2024            

Arrive at Narita or Haneda by own arrangement with transfers provided into
Tokyo.

Tokyo   BD

Visit Sensoji Temple to wish a safe journey, then try indigo dyeing in a local
store. We’ll see cherry blossoms and have our welcome dinner at a local izakaya
(Japanese style pub).

Tokyo (or optional day-tour)   B

Explore Tokyo at leisure. You may want to scale Tokyo Skytree? Or join an
optional tour of Nikko to see the World Heritage listed shrines,
Hakone for Mt Fuji, or Kamakura.

Tokyo to Hiroshima via Himeji Castle   B

Take a Shinkansen west to Hiroshima. On the way, we’ll stop by Himeji Castle,
Japan’s best, which should be spectacular in sakura time.

Hiroshima and Miyajima daytrip   B

A short trip to Miyajima to view the floating red O-Torii, and see great
views of the inland sea from Mt Misen. Return to Hiroshima for hanami in the
Peace Park and the Museum.

Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival   BD

We head into the country by Shinkansen and local train for the cherry blossom
festival in Tsuyama, where thousands of Sakura trees have been planted in the
castle ruins. We’ll stay at Riki’s favourite ryokan, where you can take an
onsen and enjoy a kaiseki dinner.

Yunogo Onsen to Kyoto   B

Take a local train to Himeji, and then the Shinkansen into Kyoto. At night,
we’ll see the Miyako Odori Spring Dance and Maruyama Park.

kyoto   BD

Join Riki in his home town for a tour of Kyoto including the Golden Pavilion.
Then follow the sakura on the Philosopher’s Path to the Silver Pavilion. At
night, enjoy local Kyoto cuisine with Riki.

Kyoto   B

Enjoy a free day in Kyoto. You could visit the Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama, or
perhaps just relax under the cherry blossoms by the Kamo River.

Kyoto to Kanazawa   B

Take a train north to the delightful city of Kanazawa on the Japan Sea side. In
the afternoon, we can wander the samurai district and visit Kenrokuen Garden.

Kanazawa (or Shirakawago day-trip)   B

Relax in Kanazawa, or join Riki for a day trip to the World Heritage listed
Shirakawago village, where you can see thatched roof houses.

Kanazawa to Yudanaka Onsen   BD

Today, we head back into the mountains by Shinkansen to Nagano to visit the 7th
century Zenkoji temple. Then it’s a short local train to Yudanaka for an onsen
and a kaiseki dinner.

Yudanaka Onsen to Tokyo   B

A short stroll through the forests will take us to the snow monkeys bathing in
a natural onsen, then we take a local train and Shinkansen back into Tokyo.

Tokyo, then travel home on Monday 8th April 2024   B

Depending on your schedule, enjoy the last of Tokyo before transfering to
Haneda or Narita for your flight home.