Japan Cherry Blossom Odyssey

Arrive at Kansai or Itami airport and transfer to your hotel in central Osaka. The remainder of the day is free to unpack and recover from your flight.

Mt. Yoshino in Nara prefecture is one of the most famous places to see cherry blossoms with over 30,000 cherry trees of various varieties planted there. The cherry blossom trees are planted in layers up the mountain and look like a sea of pink and white flowers during the blossom season. Take a cable car up the mountain and then walk along the blossom-lined streets. Tonight we have a group welcome dinner in Osaka.

Take a morning bullet train from Osaka to Hiroshima. First, we will visit Miyajima Island to walk around the island and visit Itsukushima Shrine. The name Itsukushima literally means 'island of worship' and from ancient times the island itself was worshiped as a god. After exploring Miyajima, travel back to Hiroshima to visit Peace Memorial Park and Museum. See the Atomic Bomb Dome and other landmarks in the park. For lunch, our guide will take you to a local Okonomiyaki restaurant. Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) is the most famous regional food and is known as Hiroshima's soul food. Return to Osaka to overnight.

This morning we take a stroll in the Dontonbori district, a pedestrian-only restaurant and entertainment street in Osaka's boisterous Namba district. Dotonbori is known as a food paradise throughout Japan. You'll have the chance to sample some food if you like, including the famous and ubiquitous takoyaki (commonly known as 'octopus dumplings') and kushikatsu (skewered meats and vegetables). We'll have lunch in this region and then we take a short train ride from Osaka to Kyoto. In the late afternoon, we begin a Kyoto tour starting with a visit to Kiyomizudera, one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. As the sun begins to set we walk along the Gion, the geisha district. Then we have a very special evening visiting Maruyama Park and Heian Shrine during the nighttime cherry blossom illumination event. The cherry trees and buildings are lit up providing a mesmerizing view.

Today we head to the northwest part of the city to visit Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion. You'll quickly see why this jewel set into the northern hills is one of the most visited sites in Japan. It is covered in real gold leaf and vibrant at any time of year no matter the weather. Then we travel to Arashiyama, where Kyoto's renowned bamboo forest is located. Walk along the pathway through the bamboo forest to admire the groves and capture the perfect photo. Also visit Tenryu-ji temple, one of Kyoto's main zen temples.

In the morning visit Fushimi Inari Shrine famous for its thousands of torii gates that line the mountain trail. The shrine complex spans over the entire Mt. Inari (233m/765ft). On your tour, you will visit the main shrine hall and proceed through the famed vermillion gate tunnel, a visually stunning experience. Then experience a matcha green tea ceremony at Kyo-machiya, a traditional townhouse in Kyoto. Afterwards 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.

We have a later start this morning, so there is more time to enjoy the onsen baths. Then we take a short train ride to Kanazawa and have lunch at Omicho market. Afterwards visit Kenrokuen garden, a large Japanese landscape garden regarded as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. We also visit Kanazawa castle and the Higashi Chaya area, home of working teahouses where geishas entertain their wealthy clients. Learn about the geisha lifestyle and have the opportunity to visit a gold leaf store, a specialty of Kanazawa.

Spend the day touring around more sites in beautiful Kanazawa. We visit the 21st Century Museum where we will tour the outside art installations. Also visit the Nagamachi district, where samurais and their families used to reside. We will enter and visit the Nomura house. We cap off our tour in Kanazawa with a special ohanami, a cherry blossom viewing picnic, one of the Japanese ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms. After our picnic we take the bullet train to 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 neighbourhood of Harajuku and the trendy high fashion district of Omotesando. After lunch we visit Tokyo's old town area where you can soak in the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Last stop today is Nezu shrine to see the beautiful azaleas.

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.

Our day starts in Tsukiji where we will explore the outer fish market with its many interesting seafood stalls. Then we gather at a local kitchen for a hands-on sushi making experience. Enjoy your own sushi creations for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Tokyo as you wish. Our guide can make some suggestions based on your interests. In the evening we visit the vibrant neon light region of Shinjuku for our farewell dinner.

Sayonara, farewell, our tour concludes today. You will be transferred to Haneda or Narita airport for your departure flight.