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Cherry Blossoms in...
 

Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Tokyo to Kyoto

10 days |  13 days with Osaka & Hiroshima extension
10 days |  13 days with Osaka & Hiroshima extension
Group size1535 travelers
Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

30
Physical activity
cherry blossom trees framing a park in osaka
bowl of ramen noodles on table
a deer standing in nara park
the golden pavillion view from the water
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
This tour itinerary varies by year
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    Springtime beauty blends with ancient history and cutting-edge culture.

    Japan seamlessly merges centuries-old history with a modern way of life. On this tour, hues of pink and aromatic scents fill city streets and lush parks as cherry blossoms bring new life to an already vibrant country. See ancient temples alongside modern architecture while experiencing the beauty celebrated each year during the Japanese cherry blossom season.

    Your tour package includes

    • 8 nights in handpicked hotels
    • 8 breakfasts
    • 1 lunch
    • 3 dinners with beer or wine
    • 1 sake tasting
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    Included highlights

    • Cherry blossoms
    • Shibuya Crossing
    • Mount Fuji
    • Hakone Open-Air Museum
    • High-speed bullet train ride
    Read more
    Start planning today

    An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

    Talk to a Tour Consultant

    Day-by-day itinerary

    Print itinerary
    Overnight Flight1 night
    Day 1: Travel day

    Board your overnight flight to Tokyo today.

    Tokyo3 nights
    Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
    Included meal: Welcome dinner

    Welcome to Japan! Get settled in to your hotel before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

    Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Join a local guide and embark on your first tour of Japan’s bustling capital.

    • Make a photo stop and view the iconic Shibuya crossing from overhead as you drive through the central part of the city
    • Set off on a short walk from Yoyogi Park to the Meiji Shrine, final resting place of Emperor Meiji
    • Stroll through the colorful Harajuku neighborhood, where Tokyo’s history and present-day pop culture intertwine
    • See the beautiful cherry blossoms at Ueno Park
    • Explore Tokyo’s old town, including the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple, the city’s oldest and most sacred temple
    • Peruse a vibrant variety of handmade crafts and local fare at the centuries-old Nakamise Shopping Arcade

    Spend a free afternoon enjoying the views of the cherry blossoms throughout Tokyo or add an excursion.

    Japanese Cooking Class & Dinner

    From $125 per person

    Day 4: Free day in Tokyo
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Enjoy a free day in Tokyo or add an excursion.

    Kamakura

    From $135 per person

    Mount Fuji Region1 night
    Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo & transfer to Mount Fuji Region
    Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    Today, follow your Tour Director on another guided sightseeing tour of vibrant Tokyo before continuing on to the Mount Fuji Region.

    • View the Imperial Palace and its impressive grounds
    • Head to the top of the Metropolitan Government Building to get a bird’s-eye view of the city
    • Walk along the banks of the Meguro River to view the cherry blossoms

    Later, make your way to Hakone, a resort town in the Ōwakudani Valley.

    • Make a photo stop at Mount Fuji, which stands an imposing 12,388 feet high
    • Take in panoramic views of nearby lakes and villages from the midway-point observatory

    Sit down for an included dinner this evening followed by free time to relax in the hotel’s hot springs.

    Kyoto4 nights
    Day 6: Mount Komagatake, Lake Ashi & train to Kyoto
    Included meal: Breakfast

    This morning, take a guided tour of Mount Komagatake and Lake Ashi.

    • Enjoy a ropeway ride up to the top of Mount Komagatake, admiring spectacular views from the cable car as you go
    • Embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi, formed after Mount Hakone erupted 3,000 years ago
    • Take in surreal views of Mount Fuji looming in the background
    • Pay a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, with endless sculptures over its 17 acres and a gallery with more than 700 works by Picasso
    • Soak in the annual beauty that the cherry blossoms bring to the city

    This afternoon, board a high-speed bullet train to Kyoto.

    Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Kyoto & Zen meditation class
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Join a local guide on a tour of Kyoto, the city that served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years—and is still considered its spiritual capital.

    • Tour the 17th-century Nijo Castle, which boasts intricate architecture and a unique alarm system: floors that sound like a nightingale when walked on
    • Take a stroll on the Philosopher's Walk, a pedestrian pathway along a canal that’s dotted with cherry blossoms
    • See one of Japan’s most famous temples, the glittering Golden Pavilion
    • Tap in to your unconscious mind during a guided Zen meditation session
    • Sit down to sip Matcha green tea alongside a traditional Japanese sweet

    Please note: Today’s guided Zen meditation session may take place in the morning depending on the schedule.

    Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Nara
    Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Journey to the former capital city of Nara for a guided tour led by a local guide today.

    • Tour UNESCO-listed Buddhist Todaiji Temple, site of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue
    • Enter Kasuga-taisha to see the many bronze and stone lanterns in and around the Shinto shrine
    • Stroll through Nara Park, home to more than 1,200 wild deer considered sacred by locals
    • Enjoy an included lunch

    Spend a free evening in Kyoto or add an excursion.

    Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

    From $59 per person

    Day 9: Free day in Kyoto
    Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner

    Enjoy a free day in Kyoto or add an excursion.

    Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner in Kyoto, where you’ll enjoy a sake tasting and enjoy traditional shabu-shabu (hot pot).

    Arashiyama District & Okochi Sanso Garden

    From $119 per person

    Flight Home
    Day 10: Departure
    Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

    This morning, transfer to the Osaka airport to board your flight home or choose to continue your adventure with a visit to Hiroshima and Osaka.

    Extension to Osaka & Hiroshima
    We have Osaka to thank for some of Japan’s most well-known arts, like Kabuki theater and the tea ceremony. Drink it all in, then take a high-speed train to Hiroshima to remember one of the most infamous moments in history. Get to the heart of both cities, and marvel at UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle, on sightseeing tours alongside local experts.
    Osaka1 night
    Day 10: Transfer to Osaka
    Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Make your way to Osaka this morning where you’ll have free time for the rest of the day to explore the area.

    Hiroshima1 night
    Day 11: Train to Hiroshima & sightseeing tour
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Board a high-speed bullet train in Osaka to Hiroshima and get to know this world-renowned “City of Peace” on today’s guided sightseeing tour.

    • Visit Peace Memorial Park to see the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, which was the only structure to withstand the infamous atomic bombing of the city during World War II
    • Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island to view the 12th-century, UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine
    Osaka1 night
    Day 12: Osaka via Himeji
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Travel back to Osaka, stopping in the city of Himeji along the way.

    • Step inside the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan
    • Walk through Otemon Gate and view the castle’s striking white architecture
    • Climb a series of narrow staircases to the top floor, which offers stunning views of the beautiful roofs, defensive walls, and the city below
    • Enjoy free time to explore Kōko-en, a stunning garden that’s designed to be aesthetically pleasing through all four seasons

    Continue on to Osaka and spend a free evening in the city, or add an excursion.

    Osaka Dinner & Karaoke

    From $89 per person

    Flight Home
    Day 13: Free morning in Osaka & departure
    Included meal: Breakfast

    Enjoy a free morning in Osaka. Then, transfer to the airport to board your flight home.

    Show full itinerary
    Book for just $99 down

    That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

    Reviews

    4.2 out of 5 stars

    Overall rating 4.2 out of 5

    Based on 30 authentic traveler reviews
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      4 out of 5 stars

      Spectaular Japan!!
      3/14/24 by 3rd-time traveler Anonymous

      Our tour guide Kumi was amazing!!! She was the best tour director thus far and Japan was my third tour with go ahead! Everything that we wanted to see in Japan was on this trip. We did have to go on our own to the Fushimi Inari shrine but it was two stops from our hotel on the local train line from...

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      5 out of 5 stars

      An unforgettable experience
      3/17/24 by 1st-time traveler Rachel

      I absolutely loved this tour. It was my first time with EF, and my first time in Japan. Did not disappoint at all. No regrets. Saw a lot of pretty sights and made a lot of great memories.

      5 out of 5 stars

      Excellent Adventure in Japan
      3/14/24 by 5th-time traveler Joseph

      The Cherry Blossom Festival was an excellent adventure. The Hotel Accommodations, Meals, Local Guides and added Excursions made the Tour Excellent. Riding the Bullet Train and local transportation was great. The Tour Director was the Greatest. She was always helpful. Highly recommend this tour...

      Read more +
      Show more reviews

      Traveler photos

      Hotels, flights & FAQ

      Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

      Hotels

      We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
      Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
      Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

      This comfortable hotel is located on Odaiba Island, Tokyo. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and room service. Nearby, you’ll find Pallete To...

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      Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
      Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel

      This comfortable hotel is located in Mishima with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. Guests enjoy the top floor communal bath, bike rentals, and sun terra...

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      Kyoto Century Hotel
      Kyoto Century Hotel

      This classically designed hotel is located in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto. Guests enjoy 3 dining options, bicycle rentals, and convenient location. Nea...

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      Citadines Namba Osaka
      Citadines Namba Osaka

      This modern styled hotel is located in high-energy Namba district of Osaka. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms, fitness center and lounge. Nearby you’ll f...

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      Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
      Hotel Granvia Hiroshima

      This well-located hotel is located in Minami-ku, Hiroshima. Guests enjoy the fitness center, 6 dining options, and live music. Nearby, you'll find Shu...

      Read more +

      Flights

      Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
      Add our airfare package and you'll get:
      • Round-trip flight for your tour
      • Airport transfers at your destination
      • A great price locked in today
      • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
      • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
      • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
      • Find out more about flights

      FAQ

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