8 Days Essence Of Spring | Anime - Cherry Blossom Seasonal Tour

Day 1 Tokyo | Arrive in Japan & Check-in Hotel

Welcome to Japan! We will have transportation services to take you to your hotel. Please refer to your tour handbook for more information.
Rest at the hotel and be ready to start your exciting tour tomorrow.

**INFORMATION**
From Narita Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 90 mins(Bus)
From Haneda Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 30 mins(Bus)

Day 2 Tokyo | The Ghibli Museum & Akihabara's Trendy Anime Shopping

Today, we kick our Cherry Blossom Anime tour off by heading to the Electronic Town of Akihabara. Before we head to the main shopping area, we will take a brief walk to the anime-famous Kanda Shrine. Famously featured in anime such as Love Live! and collaborating with hit anime & manga like My Hero Academia, Kanda Shrine is the only shrine to offer good luck charms for electronics and anime characters.

We make our way back to the main street where you can enjoy shopping at some of the most popular otaku destinations, including Animate. Animate carries all kinds of character goods, electronics, and games from current and popular anime/manga series. There's plenty of free time in Akihabara, so Japan Deluxe Tours recommends exploring Super Potato for vintage games, SEGA arcade, visit a Maid Cafe, or just explore the area.

After exploring Akihabara, we will visit the anime specialized shopping complex: Nakano Broadway. Explore the many stores dedicated to anime and otaku goods or try the eight-layer ice-cream they serve downstairs!

We then head east to visit the famed Ghibli Museum. This animation and art museum exhibits the works of Miyazaki Hayao, creator of world renown animated films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Ghibli Studio fans will certainly enjoy the artistic museum, which not only exhibits the history and techniques of animation but also plays short movies in a theater room, produced exclusively for the museum.

We close out the day by spending some time at Shibuya Parco. It has the latest anime spot called Cyberspace Shibuya which has become a popular spot in recent years. You can find the very first Nintendo shop, Nintendo Tokyo, the stylish Pokemon Center Shibuya, Capcom store, Jump shop and much more.

Day 3 Tokyo | At your Leisure & Optional Excursions

We've cleared up the day for you to enjoy at your leisure or spend the day at either Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea

Note: Additional fees & costs will apply for Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea

Day 4 Tokyo | Trendy Anime meets Historic Asakusa

We start off our Tokyo tour with a visit to Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market, the former home of the world-famous tuna auction. Browse through the freshest flavors, mouth-watering dishes, and incredible sushi meals at this market that serves over thousands of businesses and local families daily before we explore the rest of the sights in Tokyo!

Then we are off to discover Harajuku to explore the famous Takeshita Street. The area is filled with cute shops, delicious crepes, high end stores, and beautiful cafés and restaurants. Don't forget to check out the Cat Café and Headgehog café for those who love animals. Anime fans may recall Takeshita Street from scenes featured in Death Note.

We will then make our way to the famous Shibuya Crosswalk to be part of the thousands who cross daily. This crosswalk gathers as much foot traffic as New York City, and crossing is an experience unlike any other. We will also visit the popular Hachiko Statue close to the station. The statue is based on the internationally-known story of Hachiko, the dog who would come back to the station every day to see his owner. As an iconic area, the crosswalk and surrounding areas are often featured in animes, most notably Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ravens.

For lunch, enjoy a delicious Teppan-yaki meal. Enjoy watching the careful hands of your personally assigned chef prepare Wagyu beef before your eyes. The tour will then head to the old town district of Asakusa where you can purchase traditional Japanese souvenirs at the Nakamise area and explore Senso-ji Temple, the oldest and the most popular temples in Tokyo. Being another must-see landmark, Asakusa shows up in various animes as well like Demon Slayer, Fire Force, and Sarazanmai.

Day 5 Hakone | Immerse in Traditional Japanese Culture

Our first stop is the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Enjoy seeing statures, strolling through beautiful nature in the stunning landscape of Hakone. The springtime means the local cherry blossoms may be in bloom, offering visitors a wonderful viewing experience throughout the grounds. After spending our morning in fresh air, we will have Hoto, a hot udon noodle dish served in an iron cast pot that is the perfect comfort food.

Next, we have a relaxing ride on the Hakone Ropeway down to Owakudani Valley. The ropeway provides a scenic view of the Hakone area and, if weather permits, Mt. Fuji. We will explore Owakudani for a short amount of time when you arrive, giving you enough time to marvel at the active natural volcanic vents as well as try the black egg. Boiled in one of the vents, it is said that eating one of these eggs will add 7 years to your life! We will also visit the Hakone Shrine. You may also recognize the shrine in the iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion series.

Your Japan tour would not be complete without a long relaxing soak in the onsen (Japanese hot springs), to rejuvenate you for tomorrow’s adventure. An informal, cotton Kimono or Yukata will be provided for you to wear at the ryokan. Your vacation's ryokan includes a hot-spring onsite to enjoy at your leisure during your night's accommodation.

Day 6 Kyoto & Nara | Meet & Greet the friendly Deer of Nara

Our Cherry Blossom Japan tour will begin today on a bullet train to Kyoto. The bullet train is the fastest way to travel on land and is considered an essential Japanese experience. Enjoy riding to Kyoto in comfort and speed, and be sure to take some photos of the scenery during your ride.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, we will stop for a kaiten sushi lunch and at a sake museum for some sampling and to learn the history of Japan's national drink.

Afterwards, it's off to Nara to Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple holds the World Guinness Record as the largest wooden building. Inside the temple, you will behold the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, where you will be greeted by numerous deer that roam around freely. The deer here at the park are known to be friendly and may even bow at you for a little treat.

Day 7 Kyoto | Breathtaking Maiko Show & Bamboo Forest

Today, our Kyoto tour begins with a visit to Arashiyama. The morning's sunlight passing through the bamboo makes for a perfect morning sight. We will also enjoy a spirited rickshaw ride through the bamboo grove. You will be welcomed by the friendly smiles of the Rickshaw drivers who are both entertaining and very knowledgeable. They will also take amazing pictures for you in the Bamboo forest that you will want to show all your friends back home.

Following our time in Arashiyama, we will head to the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji Temple, a Japan’s must see attraction where the two upper floors are covered in gold leaf. The reflection of the golden temple on the lake adds to the stunning sight. Kinkakuji has also been featured in popular anime series K-ON! and Seitokai Yakuindomo.

Next, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Maiko lunch. Maiko are apprentice to Geisha. During the lunch, you will able to see her perform Japanese traditional dances, chances to take photos, and ask questions about her life as a Maiko. It is a great opportunity to learn about Kyoto's traditional culture.

We will then head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto's many can't miss destinations that features hundreds of red torii gates. The path is perfect for photos or to just calm your mind. You will be sure to find very familiar scenery as the shrine is the main stage for Inari Kon Kon, Koi Iroha. You can also find fox masks similar to those featured in Demon Slayer as well!

Our last stop of the day will be the ancient street of Ninenzaka. The street is filled with shops and souvenir stands as well as a great place for photos and to see what Japan looked like many years ago. We will also partake in a hands-on lesson on the tea ceremony. Learn about the history and meaning behind the ceremony as you watch it being performed before your eyes. Try your hand at making a traditional cup of matcha! We then proceed to the hotel.

Day 8 Osaka | Tour Disbands & Depart from Japan

Your pleasant and memorable Japan tour ends today. The tour will disband after breakfast. Fly home with cherished memories or enjoy your extended stay in Japan.

**INFORMATION**
From downtown hotel in Osaka to KIX Airport - about 70 mins (Bus)
From downtown hotel in Osaka to ITM Airport - about 30 mins (Bus)