EXPERIENCE the wonders of JAPAN in CHERRY BLOSSOM season
See Japan at its most beautiful as you explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Osaka and more when the country is transformed by the floral spectacle
Japan is a place like no other; it has inspired poets and writers for centuries. A unique blend of ancient and modern, it boasts countless natural wonders and cultural highlights but perhaps no single experience as beautiful or memorable as that of Hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing.
Each spring, millions of Japanese wait in anticipation for the first buds of the pink cherry blossom – known as Sakura – to appear. Next year, you will have the chance to experience it for yourself.
On this 14-day escorted tour, designed exclusively for Country Living readers, you will journey far and wide through this fascinating land. Your trip starts in the city of Osaka, where you’ll visit imposing Osaka Castle, tour the Dotonbori restaurant district and enjoy a short cruise along the Yodogawa River, before exploring the lively Kuromon Market. Next, you will be immersed in the rich history of sacred Mount Koya, a centre of Shingon Buddhism, and explore the breathtaking Japanese Alps. In the former capital, Kyoto, you will visit the famous Bamboo Forest, see the Moon Bridge, Maruyama Park and more.
You’ll also have time to visit Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, relax in a hot spring in Takayama and experience life in rural Japan in the Unesco-listed Shirakawago. No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to its most iconic landmark, the 2,400m Mount Fuji, which you will see before unwinding on a cruise on tranquil Lake Ashi. In Tokyo, you will witness more cherry blossom in a location synonymous with Hanami – stunning Ueno Park.
THE HIGHLIGHTS SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOM
There is no more magical or memorable time to visit Japan than during the Hanami festivities, which celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom and the fleeting nature of life. The cherry blossom typically sweeps across the country between March and May, making this trip perfectly timed to see the trees at their most spectacular.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
During your adventure, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in
deep-rooted Japanese history and culture through six superb experiences that are all included in the price.
You will take part in a traditional tea ceremony, practise Zen meditation and learn the ancient Japanese arts of washi paper-making and creating gold-leaf chopsticks, while those with an appetite for Japan’s delicious cuisine will learn how to make traditional soba noodles and enjoy a sake tasting and brewery tour.
THE BEST OF JAPAN
On this exclusive trip, the itinerary takes in so many of Japan’s must-see destinations, from the history and heritage of the ancient city of Kyoto and the iconic, snow-capped Mount Fuji to Mount Koya, one of the holiest places in Japan, and, of course, the neon lights of the thrilling capital Tokyo.