9 Days Essence of Spring | Hiroshima - Cherry Blossom Seasonal Tour

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)

Today, your vacation will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our cherry blossom tour begins in Tokyo's Koto-ward to explore visit the inconspicuous Fukagawa Fudo Temple. Unlike other temples in Tokyo, Fukagawa Fudo hosts daily fire-burning rituals which your tour group plans to join. Refresh your mind and spirit while the thunderous sounds of taiko drums and the burning of the goma-taki revitalizes your soul. The temple grounds is also home to a few can't miss attractions, including a massive collection of crystal figures and a mystifying tribute to Shikoku's 88 Temple Pilgrimage. From there, it's off to the Tsukiji Fish Market, 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 as your cherry blossom Japan tour explores the wonderful sights and attractions of Tokyo!

From there, your tour group will delve into the old town district of Asakusa for some traditional Japanese souvenir and gift shopping at the Nakamise area. Your Japan tour will also travel through the majestic Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most popular temples. This is the perfect place to appreciate Japanese culture and take some spectacular shots of the famous shopping district. Enjoy Japanese arts and traditional snacks with your tour group through this can't miss Tokyo temple. For lunch, we will enjoy a delicious, authentic Teppan-Yaki meal before we head to Harajuku to do some shopping and to admire the unique Japanese scenery. Enjoy shopping in the trendy district home to the world-renowned Harajuku Fashion and Japanese street fashion style. Be sure to visit one of Harajuku's local restaurants and sample Harajuku Crepes or other extra kawaii Tokyo treats in the lively Takeshita Dori. The decadent Omotesando is also nearby, home to incredible Japanese cafes and luxury shopping!

Returning to our hotel, the tour bus will be passing by 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. While here, our Tokyo cherry blossom tour will also visit pay the Hachiko Statue a visit. 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. This Tokyo spot is a popular meet-up area for couples and friends when visiting Shibuya Station. Anime fans have probably seen this famous statue and crosswalk in some of their favorite anime & manga works like Persona5 or Tokyo Ghoul. After making our way through the crossing with your tour guide, we will then return to the hotel.
(note: Cherry Blossoms may not be in bloom during your tour)

We cleared up the day during your Cherry Blossom tour to let you explore Japan at your leisure. During your free day, Japan Deluxe Tours recommends a short train ride to Odaiba for shopping and to see the life-size Gundam protecting the island at the Gundam Base. Even if you aren't into anime, snapping a selfie with the massive Gundam Robot is a must during any Tokyo vacation. The towering 72 foot Unicorn Gundam Robot is the embodiment of Japan Anime & Robot culture!

During your vacation, you can either
1) Enjoy the day as you wish in Tokyo
2) Explore Odaiba & the Gundam Base
3) Visit Tokyo Disney Land or DisneySea
4) Join a Tokyo Tour
5) Visit the Ninja Trick House to learn the ways of the ninja
For those who wish to visit Tokyo Disney Land or DisneySea, your tour guide will be happy to explain directions.
(Not all fees included for additional tour options. Please contact us when booking your cherry blossom package to reserve an optional excursion tour)

Our Japan tour is spent exploring the beauty in the hot-springs town of Hakone. We begin our cherry blossom tour with a visit to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station to enjoy the beauty of the mountain. Take photos of the mountain's peak and instantly upload them to Instagram and Facebook for all your friends to see thanks to your tour bus's complimentary Wifi. We will also have plenty of chances to see Mt. Fuji during your vacation while we explore Hakone*.

Before making our way to the next destination, we will stop for Hoto, a Japanese noodle dish native to the Yamanashi area. A hybrid of miso soup and flat udon noodles, this local Japanese specialty is a must for any tourist in Mt. Fuji. After Japanese food lunch, enjoy a rope-way to Owakudani. Owakudani is an active volcanic crater still steaming from its last eruption some 3,000 years ago. During your vacation, get a taste of the local Japanese food, Owakudani black eggs cooked in the steaming volcanic craters by Mt. Fuji. There's an old Japanese tradition that says eating one of these eggs will add eight years to your life!

Your cherry blossom tour would not be complete without a long relaxing soak in an onsen (Japanese hot springs) to rejuvenate you for tomorrow’s adventure. Relax in the soothing waters meant to revitalize your spirit, and be sure to don your Yukata (informal, linen Kimono) provided at the tour's hotel. The onsen is located in a traditional Japanese ryokan (Japanese style hotel) which includes a delicious traditional Japanese meal known as Kaiseki Ryori!
*Note: This attraction may not be available due to time or weather conditions. If we cannot visit the 5th Station, we will travel to the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center instead.

Our cherry blossom tour begins with a bullet train ride to Kyoto. The bullet train is the fastest way to travel on land and is considered an essential way to experience Japanese culture. Enjoy riding to Kyoto in comfort and speed, and be sure to take some photos of the gorgeous scenery during your ride. After we arrive in Kyoto, our tour will be stopping for a kaiten sushi lunch during your cherry blossom tour. Sometimes called sushi trains or conveyor belt sushi, kaiten sushi is a great way for tourists to pick and try their favorite rolls and nigiri sushi while giving new flavors a shot during their vacation. Most kaiten sushi restaurants also offer other options, like kaarage (Japanese fried chicken), edamame (Japanese green beans), and noodles! After our sushi lunch, your Japan tour will head to a sake museum to learn more about the history of Japan's national drink. The waters of Kyoto are said to be perfect to produce high-quality Japanese sake.

After our time at the sake museum, our cherry blossom Japan tour is off to Nara to explore Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple holds the Guinness World Record as the largest wooden building. While Todaiji's size is impressive, the true treasure awaits inside. Resting peacefully in the beautiful Japanese temple is the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Snap photos of these record-holding attractions to share with friends back home via Instagram or Facebook, or head over next door to Nara Deer Park. Considered a must in Nara, the Deer Park is home to numerous deer that roam freely on the grounds. The internationally-known deer are rather friendly, and will bow to tourists for a treat. Just be careful not to get chased by the deer during your vacation. We then return to the hotel.

Our cherry blossom tour begins today with a visit to the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji Temple, a Japan must see attraction where the two upper floors are covered in breath-taking gold leaf. The reflection of the golden temple on the lake adds to the stunning sight, and is a can't miss destination during your vacation. After our time at the Golden Pavilion, it's off to Kyoto's charming Arashiyama to walk through the Bamboo Groove Forest. The morning's sunlight passing through the bamboo makes for a perfect morning sight during your vacation. We will also enjoy a spirited rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Guests can enjoy seeing many of the traditional-style shops and temples during the ride. Following our time in Arashiyama, our tour will head to the Kyoto Handicraft Center for some souvenir craft shopping. Find incredible, traditional Kyoto goods and Japanese arts at this dedicated center for craft arts.

After shopping, our tour heads out to the ancient street of Ninenzaka. This rustic shopping street hasn't changed since the Edo Period, making it a perfect backdrop for vacation photos or to enjoy Japanese traditional architecture. Keeping with the traditional feel, your Japan tour includes a tea-ceremony to help you relax and enjoy authentic Japanese culture. After our tea ceremony, we travel to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto's many can't miss destinations that features hundreds of red tori gates. The path is perfect for photos or just to calm your mind. After we take our pictures, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Maiko Dinner. While it is incredibly difficult to arrange a meeting with a geisha in Japan without proper referral or recommendations, Japan Deluxe Tours knows authentic, cultural experiences are what make a vacation memorable. Therefore, we set up an authentic Maiko dinner during your cherry blossom Japan tour to enjoy the treasures of Kyoto. Maiko are apprentice Geisha's and the dinner is a great chance to take pictures and learn more about Kyoto's traditional culture. We then proceed to the hotel.

Our cherry blossom tour begins the day by heading to the Himeji prefecture to invade the remarkable Himeji-jo, or Himeji Castle. Himeji-jo was registered as a UNESCO distinguished site in 1993, representing Japanese castle architecture at its peak. Nicknamed White Heron Castle due to the Japanese castle's graceful white walls, Himeji Castle maintains almost all of it's original structures from its initial construction in the early 1600’s. Unlike some of the country's other castles, this classic Japanese castle has overcome wars, earthquakes, and natural disasters over the last four centuries. While the castle's architecture and classic structures are stunning, Himeji Castle is often considered to be one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in all Japan!

After our time in Himeji, our cherry blossom tour will travel west to the either the Okayama Prefecture to explore the well-preserved Kurashiki district or to Shimane Prefecture to explore the famed Adachi Art Museum. Kurashiki is a beautiful streetscape of storehouses and merchant homes and is included as an Important Traditional Structures Conservation Area by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The name Kurashiki can be roughly translated as town of storehouses and the area historically served as an important rice distribution center. The city canal area dates back to the days of the Edo Period and offers enjoyable gondola-style boat rides if time permits.

The Adachi Museum of Art in Shimane is known for its great collection of artwork and amazing Japanese gardens. The museum's art collection includes fine works from illustrious talented Japanese artists including Yokoyama Taikan, Takeuchi Seiho, Hashimoto Kansetsu, and Sakakibara Shiho. While the art is impressive, the true gem is the museum's impressive array of Japanese gardens. Split into six smaller gardens, each garden provides a distinct feel and atmosphere. Enjoy the relaxing scenery with your tour guide and gaze upon the stunning Japanese flowers. The art museum's impressive Japanese gardens have been named the Best Garden in Japan annually since 2003 by the Journal of Japanese Gardening and received the top rating of three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Enjoy this scenic area before we make our way to our hotel.

Today our cherry blossom Japan tour begins with a visit to the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. Located off the main shore on the island of Miyajima, Japan's iconic gate that floats off the shores of Hiroshima is a must during your vacation in Japan. During high tide, the torii gate looks as though it is floating in water, creating a unique sight considered one of Japan’s top three most beautiful sights. Miyajima is also known for its mouthwatering momiji manju (maple leaf shaped cake with red beans) and delicious oysters which you can enjoy while our cherry blossom tour explores scenic island.

After our time in Miyajima, it's off for our Hiroshima tour through the city. One of the main highlights here in Hiroshima is the A-Bomb Dome, the only surviving building from the aftermath of World War Two's atomic bombing. Surrounding the magnificent A-Bomb Dome is the Peace Park Memorial where travelers can see and read about the history of the war. The A-Bomb Dome has been preserved as a reminder of the tragedy for future generations and to symbolize its wishes for everlasting peace. Walk along the park with your tour guide to see famous attractions like Sadako’s statue and the Freedom Bell. We then return to the hotel.

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 Hiroshima Station to Hiroshima Airport(HIJ) - about 45 mins (Bus)

This tour disbands in Hiroshima.