14-Day Best Japan Cherry Blossom Tour with Hot Spring

On the first day, you will arrive at Narita or Haneda Airport in Tokyo. You will meet your private tour guide and take a private car to the hotel for rest.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Tokyo

Start with a tour of the Meiji Jingu Shrine where you can learn about Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and appreciate approximately 1,000 cherry trees. You can experience Japanese hanami (flower watching) like locals.

In the afternoon, admire weeping cherry blossom trees drooping their branches at Sensoji Temple. You can buy an omamori (Japanese lucky charm) at Sensoji Temple. Take a walk through Nakamise-dori Street and visit vibrant stalls. Fortune-telling would be a unique Japanese cultural experience. Enjoy walks along the Sumida River or take a boat tour on the river. The falling petals of cherry blossoms adorn the Sumida River.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

Today, you will explore Tokyo by yourself. You can head to the largest fish market in Tokyo, Tsukiji Outer Market, and taste the best seafood. Busy locals and vendors quickly shuttle around you. Enjoy the serenity of taking a boat on Chidorigafuchi Moat. You can see pink and white cherry blossoms surrounding the moat. Choose a cafe at Shibuya Crossing to sit down. You can see the scene of thousands of pedestrians walking across this busy intersection at the same time.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

After breakfast, you can take the Fujikyu Railway traveling to Lake Kawaguchi. You can expect the figure of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms to appear outside the window.

Then continue to take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway up to Mt. Fuji 5th Station. Stop to capture the stunning views of Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes below. Then visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine with its striking red torii gate and Chureito Pagoda. Take a boat and cruise around Lake Kawaguchi.

After the trip, you will transfer to Hakone and stay overnight.

Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Hakone

This morning, you will travel to picturesque Lake Ashi which is famous for its views of Mount Fuji. You can enjoy a Hakone sightseeing cruise on a pirate-themed ship. Appreciate the cherry blossoms blooming around the lake and Mount Fuji in the distance.

In the afternoon, you will experience traditional Japanese hot springs. Hakone is one of the best places to enjoy hot springs (onsen) in Japan. Enjoy relaxation and tranquility in the hot springs.

In the evening, you can taste local specialty cuisine for dinner. Explore the charm and extraordinary experience in Hakone.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hakone

After breakfast, you will head to Odawara Station. You can take the Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). And then transfer to Takayama by Limited Express Trains. After arriving in Takayama, you can freely arrange the remaining day.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Takayama

After breakfast, you will visit Miyagawa Morning Market where you can taste delicious local fruits and vegetables (self-funded). Take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses. Pause at Nakabashi Bridge and take a photo of this stunning red bridge and the pink cherry blossom flowers.

Visit Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, a museum and exhibition hall showcasing elaborately decorated Japanese floats for festivals. Travel to Kusakabe Folk Museum, a merchants' house in the past. Now you can see interesting artifacts and artwork. Head to Sanmachi Suji where you can stroll around the quaint historic district lined with iconic buildings, shops, sake breweries, and cafes.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Takayama

After breakfast, drive 1 hour to Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa Village), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn about the famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses that have a long history. Enter the house and explore internal rooms and structures. Head to an observatory deck of Shirakawago (Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck or Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck). You can get a panoramic view of Shirakawa-go village and its unique houses and far-off mountains. Explore more about gassho-style farmhouses at Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum.

Drive for 1.5 hours and transfer to Kanazawa.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Kanazawa

In the morning, you will visit the enchanting Kenroku-en Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Appreciate the cherry blossom reflected on the pond. Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art not far away where you can get artistic inspiration from paintings, calligraphy, photography, and other artworks on display.

After visiting, your private tour will take you to Kanazawa Station. You will take the Shinkansen to the next destination, Kyoto.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Kyoto

Today, you will begin your cherry blossom tour with the golden Kinkaku-ji Temple boasting lots of cherry blossom trees. Visit Nijo Castle to appreciate the castle, palace, and garden.

For lunch, you can head to Nishiki Market and taste Kyoto's food. Follow the smell of food to find your favorite food stand. After lunch, you will venture to Fushimi Inari Shrine and get a glimpse of fox statues, which are thought to be the Inari god's messengers. You can stroll through the attractive path created by thousands of vermilion torii gates.

Then travel to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy a commanding view of Kyoto and the mountains covered by cherry blossoms. Traverse the streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka and head to Gion where you may see machiya houses and a real geisha.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Kyoto

In the morning, you will immerse yourself in the nature of Arashiyama. Wander along the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and listen to the rustling sound of bamboo in your ear. Pay a visit to Tenryu-ji Temple and admire the cherry blossoms in the exquisite Japanese garden. You can experience the Zen culture of Japan.

After a delicious lunch of Kyoto's specialty tofu dishes or soba noodles, you will take the Sagano Romantic Train and lose yourself in the beautiful cherry blossom scenery along the way.

At the end of the day, you will transfer to the hotel in Osaka for check-in and rest.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Osaka

This morning, you will head to Nara first. You will visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine first which is known for its rows of lanterns. Explore Todai-ji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden structures. You can visit the great Vairocana Buddha. In addition to viewing cherry blossoms, you will encounter deer at Nara Park and get close up to them.

In the afternoon, return to Osaka and visit Osaka Castle Park. You can explore the imposing Osaka Castle and discover the inside museum for its rich history. Enjoy cherry blossom at Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden.

Finish your adventure with a night tour of Shinsaibashisuji and Dotonbori. You may be drawn by the tantalizing food and exciting street performances.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Osaka

Today is a free day in Osaka, and you can arrange your itinerary. You can head to Universal Studios Japan and immerse yourself in this world-class theme park. You can also take the Tempozan Ferris Wheel to the top and overlook Osaka city. Local food is worth trying.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Osaka

After breakfast at the hotel, you can pack your bags. Then you will be transferred to the airport and catch the flight home. Wish you a pleasant journey!

Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A