Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices:
- On request
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: Travel to Japan during the famous cherry blossom season to enjoy special blossom viewing experiences offered only by Goway. This one-of-a-kind trip takes you to Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto to experience Japanese cultural traditions, explore temples and shrines, and enjoy the country at its most beautiful.
This 11-day Japan vacation offers you the rare chance to take in one of Asia’s hottest travel tickets: Japan’s cherry blossom season. This elevated small group journey begins in Tokyo, Japan’s megacity, where sightseeing tours showcase the city’s iconic blend of temples and cutting-edge culture. Key stops include the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the fashion districts of Harajuku and Omotesando, and Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. A day trip to nearby Hakone offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji and a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi during the height of the sakura bloom. Bid Tokyo farewell and ride the shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya, where you’ll connect into the Hida highlands and the charming hillside town of Takayama for a night.
In coastal Kanazawa, you’ll tour one of the prettiest gardens in Japan as well as the medieval samurai and geisha houses of the old Nagamachi district. Onwards to Kaga Onsen to enjoy an iconic onsen (hot spring) experience and a traditional kaiseke meal. The final stop on your cherry blossom odyssey is Kyoto, arguably Japan’s most beautiful city. Explore Japan’s most famous temples and shrines framed with dazzling spring colour, including Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu Dera. You’ll also explore the bamboo grove of Arashiyama and enjoy an afternoon in Maruyama Park, one of the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in the country.
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Prices:
- On request
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Tokyo
Arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda airport and transfer to your hotel in central Tokyo. The remainder of the day is free to unpack and recover from your flight.
| Duration | 4 Nights |
|---|---|
| Accommodation |
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont |
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Hotel Metropolitan Edmont
Hotel Metropolitan Edmont has a total of 668 guest rooms in the main building and the East Wing, 14 banquet halls including the large banquet hall "Yukyu" featuring sophisticated glamor, 6 dining facilities, wedding facilities such as a chapel, Convenience store, parking lot, etc.
Tokyo
A full day in Tokyo exploring the city like a Tokyoite, by public transportation. We will visit Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine, dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Then walk around the hip neighborhood of Harajuku and the trendy high fashion district of Omotesando. After lunch in Shibuya, we head to Nakameguro where the blooming cherry trees line both sides of the river to form an instagram worthy tunnel of pink. Our next stop is Shinjuku Gyoen, a popular large park, for an ohanami (picnic). We continue exploring Shinjuku and then head back to our hotel. Tonight we will have a group welcome dinner.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Tokyo
Our day starts in Tsukiji where we will explore the outer fish market with its many interesting seafood stalls. Next we will gather for a join-in group hands on sushi making experience. We will feast on our own creations for lunch. After lunch, time for some high end shopping or window shopping in Ginza. A short subway ride north brings us to the old neighborhood of Asakusa, home of the Senso-ji buddhist temple. Last stop today is Ueno Park, another popular park for cherry blossoms.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
Full day Hakone Excursion
Today we head out for a day trip to Hakone about 80 kilometers south west of Tokyo. Hakone is known for its famous hot spring resorts and views of iconic Mount Fuji (weather permitting). We will have a full day of activities including a boat ride around lake Ashi, a crater lake formed by a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago. As well as a cable car ride to the Owakudani valley and its boiling sulfur springs. We return to Tokyo in the evening.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
Tokyo to Takayama
We say goodbye to Tokyo and board the shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya, where we connect to the scenic Hida limited express train. On arrival in Takayama in the early afternoon, we check into our hotel. After a short tour around the well-preserved historic Sannomachi district of Takayama, you will have some free time to explore on your own.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
| Accommodation |
Chisun Grand Takayama |
| Location | View map |
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Chisun Grand Takayama
A great location, just 1 minute from JR Takayama Station.The perfect hotel for sightseeing or business in Hida Takayama.
Takayama to Kanazawa
After a visit to the morning market, we leave Takayama and travel by train to Kanazawa located on the west coast along the sea of Japan. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, we will check in to our hotel. This afternoon, we will visit the Higashi Chaya area, home of working teahouses where Geishas entertain their wealthy clients.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Hotel Kanazawa |
| Location | View map |
-
Hotel Kanazawa
Hotel Kanazawa is located close to Train station in Kanazawa and features 186 room with 10 suites.
Hotel Kanazawa is located close to Train station in Kanazawa and features 186 room with 10 suites.
Facilities
- Banquet Facilities
- Garden
- Restaurant(s)
Kanazawa
We spend the day touring around beautiful Kanazawa. Our first stop is Kenrokuen garden, a large Japanese landscape garden where we will experience a traditional tea ceremony. Next we will visit Kanazawa castle. After lunch we walk to the Nagamachi district, where samurais and their families used to reside. We will enter and visit Nomura house. Last place on the itinerary today is the 21st Century Museum where we will tour the outside art installations.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen
In the afternoon we take the train to Kaga Onsen, a small hot spring town. Relax in your Japanese style room and try the onsen (hot spring) baths. We will have a Japanese kaiseki style group dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Hotel Ruikoh
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Kaga Onsen to Kyoto
After another soak in the hotspring this morning, and then we leave Kaga for Kyoto, our last stop on the tour. On arrival we have lunch and and then we go visit Fushimi Inari shrine famous for its thousands of Torii gates. Next is Kiyomizu Dera, one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. Not to be missed this afternoon is a stop at Maruyama park, one of the main spots for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto. Last stop of the day is the geisha district of Gion.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo |
| Location | View map |
-
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
Located in Kyoto, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo is close to Rokakkudo Temple, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Also nearby are Kiyomizu Temple and Higashi Honganji Temple. Dining options at this Kyoto hotel include a restaurant and a coffee shop/café. There are 278 air-conditioned …
Located in Kyoto, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo is close to Rokakkudo Temple, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Also nearby are Kiyomizu Temple and Higashi Honganji Temple. Dining options at this Kyoto hotel include a restaurant and a coffee shop/café. There are 278 air-conditioned guestrooms at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo.
Facilities
- Bar(s)
- Restaurant(s)
- Room Service
Kyoto
Today we head to the northwest part of the city to visit Kinkaku-ji, the golden pavilion and Ryoan-ji zen temple known for its rock garden. Next is Arashiyama, where we will first have lunch before visiting the picturesque bamboo groves. Last stop is the beautiful Tenryu-ji temple before we go back to the hotel by train. Tonight we have a farewell group dinner.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Depart Kyoto
Sayonara, farewell, our tour concludes today. You will be transferred to Kansai or Itami airport for your departure flight.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES AND PRICING:
2024 Departures: | CA $ | US $ |
| 21, 31 March | SOLD OUT | |
| 2, 3 April | SOLD OUT | |
Register for Goway's 2025 departures
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Meet and Greet on arrival in Tokyo
- Airport bus arrival and departure transfers (unguided)
- 10 nights accommodation
- 10 breakfast, 9 lunches, 3 dinners
- 7 Day Ordinary Japan Rail Pass
- All other public transportation throughout the tour
- Services of a full time tour director/guide for the duration of the trip (starting Day 2)
- Small group touring as mentioned on the itinerary (Max 16 guests)
- All entrance fees for sightseeing visited
- Luggage transfers on Day 4 and Day 7 (1 piece per person)
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International airfare into Osaka and return from Tokyo
- Beverages during included lunches and dinners
- Other meals
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
NOTES:
Tour is guaranteed with a minimum 4 passengers. Maximum of 16 passengers
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
2 Apr 2024
