Japan's Blossom Season

Begin your trip with included airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight.

You’ll be met on arrival for your included transfer, bringing you to your contemporary accommodation – centrally located by the blossoming Hamarikyu Gardens. You’ll have some time to explore with your pre-loaded transport card before your full-day private tour the next day. Completely tailored to your interests, choose between everything from Shinjuku’s neon wonders and the giant Tokyo Skytree to historic temples and, yes, the cherry blossom, blessing shrines and riversides alike. Perhaps make use of your included Japan Rail Pass on an optional day trip the next day. Highlights include Kotku-in’s giant bronze Buddha and traditional gardens, Nikko’s park lakes and shrine-dotted waterfalls, and a hike to Mt. Takao’s mountaintop temple.

Stay: Shiba Park (Standard) or Park Hotel (Superior)

The first of your Shinkansen sprints will see you out of the city and into the Hakone region – a national park of old-growth forests, historic villages and temple-ringed lakes. It’s all watched over by Mt. Fuji and showcased over the next two days by your Hakone Freepass, granting you access to everything from cable cars and mountain railways to boat and bus rides. You’ll use it to arrive at your century-old ryokan inn, where you’ll enjoy multi-course kaiseki dinners, soaks in its onsen hot springs and nights in charmingly traditional tatami mat rooms. The region’s famous cherry blossom is equally stunning.

Stay: Ichinoyu Susukinohara (Standard) or Motoyu Kansuiro (Superior)

Your next bullet-train trip will see you along the east coast to Kyoto, where you’ll settle into your central, hand-picked accommodation. The season sees the geisha quarter stage extravagant performances; you’ll be treated to the best seats and a green tea. Then, tomorrow, you’ll enjoy an included full-day tour, taking in your choice of everything from bamboo forests and golden temples to the Imperial Palace and time-honoured teahouses. The next day, perhaps enjoy a trip with your rail pass. Nearby, there’s the neon metropolis of Osaka, the castle town of Himeji, or Nara’s bowing deer and Todaiji Temple – the world’s largest wooden building. 

Stay: Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Kawaramachi (Standard) or Granvia Kyoto (Superior)

Today you’ll loop back to the Japanese capital by Shinkansen. Grab a seat on the left; there are fantastic views of the famously shy Mt. Fuji not long past Shizuoka. Then, back in Tokyo, you’ll have a final night to take in its wonders, whether that’s the lantern-lit izakaya bars of Golden Gai, the bubble-gum cuteness of Harajuku’s shopping streets or the vermillion tiers of Sensoji Temple. Perhaps also end in style with dinner at one of Tokyo’s world-class restaurants or humble sushi counters.

Stay: Shiba Park (Standard) or Park Hotel (Superior)

After a last included breakfast, an included transfer will see you to the airport for your flight home, arriving the same day.