Visiting Japan during its cherry blossom season would be once-in-a-lifetime experience for you. Often words cannot describe the feelings that you are going to experience there. Lately I have been thinking about sharing an itinerary that could reveal the breathtaking spring beauty of Japan especially for the first-timers.
You know how wonderful it is to be part of the nation during hanami here as I assume you have seen awesome sakura photographs online, read articles, and watched videos on YouTube.
You would agree with me that your dream trip to Japan will turn out to be a reality once you visit the country in the spring.
“7 days in Japan for cherry blossom” itinerary includes country’s some of the famous cherry blossom spots, historic landmarks, popular shopping arcades, parks, gardens, hot spring resort, and a traditional old Japanese village. I think these are what most of the tourists expect to get from an average Japan tour.
Seemingly you are going to get these all in this simple itinerary. I also have some other surprises for you. You will find them as you keep reading this post. Please note that buying a 7-day JR Pass is highly recommended, check it out here for the best price.
This itinerary is designed especially for the ones who want to enjoy sakura in Japan from late March to early April.
In fact, this is the perfect time to see sakura in most of the famous places on Honshu Island such as in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara.
Day 1 – Tokyo
Being one of the most bustling cities in the world, Tokyo has its own special charm buried across the city.
Welcome to Tokyo!
You can check out the top 10 cherry blossom spots in Tokyo and then decide yourself which one to visit. Covering all these spots in a single day would a daunting task, don’t even imagine doing that!
Therefore don’t rush for all these hanami spots instead try visiting the ones that can be accessed easily from the hotel where you have booked a room for stay overnight. Find out the cheap hotels deals in Tokyo.
You should consider visiting Shinkuju Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, and Meguro River in Nakameguro. Please note that Meguro River is a popular hanami spot to see Yozakura (night sakura) in Tokyo.
You can also follow this 1-day Tokyo itinerary.
I am sure you don’t mind spending a day in Tokyo just for roaming around to see a sea of cherry trees. In fact, that’s the perfect way to start your expedition.
You will come back here again in Tokyo and I would definitely cover rest of the top Tokyo’s sightseeing attractions including shopping streets.
Hotel to stay in Tokyo: Shinjuku Prince Hotel.
Many tourists will stay two or three more days in Tokyo before heading to Nagoya. If you are one of them, then modify this travel plan on your own.
Day 2 – Nagoya
Tokyo and Nagoya are directly connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Use your Japan Rail Pass to get to Nagoya from Tokyo.
It requires more than 2 hours reaching there by Hikari train. The early the better! So, catch the early morning train to Nagoya and enjoy the outdoor views looking out the window on the train.
When you reach to Nagoya Station, take a taxi to the hotel.
If you have not then search here for great hotel deals in Osaka. Have some rest in your hotel room, and get ready to go out to see today’s attractions.
Visit the Tsuruma Park/Yamazakigawa Riverside, and Nagoya Castle. That’s enough!
I am glad to inform you that a trip to either Tsuruma Park or Yamazakigawa Riverside would be charming as they are particularly known for featuring stunning sakura in a large number.
On the other hand, Nagoya Castle is a historic site though that offers you to see tons of sakura around the castle grounds and park (Meijo Koen).
Hotel to stay in Nagoya: Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel.
Day 3 – Nagoya to Shirakawa-go
Today you are going to go to explore one of Japan’s most famous oldest villages and one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites called Shirakawa-go. You can easily get there by direct Gifu Bus. For more info about the bus service, please visit here.
The bus departs from Meitetsu Bus Center, Nagoya city and I am sorry to inform you that your JR pass would not cover cost of the bus ride. It is highly recommended to buy a round trip bus ticket.
This is simply a gorgeous side trip available for you from downtown Nagoya.
Traveling to this beautiful mountain village would let you discover the traditional style house (gassho-zukuri), immense surrounding natural beauty and give you an idea of how the ancestors of the village lived their life in an extreme weather condition.
Stay overnight at the same hotel in Nagoya city.
Day 4 – Nagoya to Kyoto
Leave Nagoya and reach Kyoto by Shinkansen. The entire one way ride is about 40-50 minutes.
Check into this hotel in Kyoto.
It’s time to explore Kyoto!
Kyoto is a place where everyone likes to have a trip of different kinds, for example some visitors would like to explore it only for few days, while others tend to explore the area for more than a week. It really depends on what you want to see and explore.
As it is an itinerary that emphasizes mostly for cherry blossom spots I think you would gladly accept the recommendations I share with you here.
Today, you will be visiting all these exciting places: Philosopher’s Path, Heian Shrine, Okazaki Canal, Keage Incline, and Maruyama Park.
The first stop of the day is Philosopher’s Path, a renowned hanami spot in Kyoto. This two kilometers long stone path through the northern part of Kyoto‘s Higashiyama district is lined by thousands cherry trees.
Then make your way to Heian Shrine, Okazaki Canal, and Keage Incline to witness wonderful cherry blossoms vistas.
On the grounds of Heian Shrine, you will spot many weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura). Don’t forget to take some photos of the giant torri gate, which marks the approach to the shrine.
In the evening I would like you to get to Maruyama Park. Along with other sakura trees in the park, there is a giant cherry tree which in fact attracts thousands of visitors.
The park is absolutely eye-catching, and a great place to see night sakura in Kyoto.
Sleep better at night, and be sure to wake up early in the morning to go to Nara from Kyoto.
Day 5 – A day trip to Nara from Kyoto
Today you will spend a day in Nara city. When you meet some deer in Nara, please feed them!
This is to inform you that Miyakoji rapid trains operate every 30 minutes between Kyoto Station and JR Nara Station.
The trip is covered by Japan Rail Pass and takes about 45 minutes. In Nara, you will mostly roam around Nara Park and explore its surrounding attractions.
It consists of freely roaming sacred deer, many historical buildings such as Buddhist temples, gardens, and shrine including Nara National Museum. Feed the deer and be there companion for a while.
Try discovering all these places, and don’t forget to take some photos of the Todaiji Temple building. It is a very big building and quite impressive!
After spending a wonderful day in Nara, get back to Kyoto by train and spend the night there.
Day 6 – Kyoto to Osaka
According to my knowledge, many foreign tourists like to travel to Osaka after Tokyo. It does make sense as it is the second largest city in the country, offering so many exciting things to do and see throughout the year.
You can reach Osaka from Kyoto by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. It requires only 15 minutes!
Welcome to Osaka!
A few days ago I have shared a suggested Osaka itinerary for spring season. Please read this here and find out how to spend 2 day in Osaka.
Have you got any idea on how to spend a day in Osaka during cherry blossom season?
My suggestion to you is – spend less time in less touristic spots and give much priority to the sites like Osaka Castle Park, Osaka Museum of History, Expo 70 Commemorative Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, and Dotonbori.
You don’t need to not stay a night in Osaka, instead you take the shinkansen to get back to Kyoto.
Please note you can also visit Arashiyama town if you have enough time to spend one more day in Kyoto.
Day 7 – Kyoto to Tokyo
Kyoto and Tokyo are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. The fastest shinkansen trains for this route is Nozomi, requiring only 140 minutes to reach Tokyo from Kyoto.
People who travel in Tokyo don’t come there just to explore the city’s best touristic spots, instead they are on the hunt for the best shopping streets and restaurants.
Tokyo has everything to please you and fulfill your desire. You just have to move one neighborhood to another.
For a great shopping experience in the capital city, I recommend you to head to Shibuya and Shinjuku areas. The best shopping areas in Tokyo can be found here.
Also there you would find so many good restaurants to satisfy your stomach. Apart from being one of the best modern cities in the World, Tokyo is filled with many “it happened here” historic sites.
For example one can visit the historic attractions, such as the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo National Museum, and Meiji Shrine.
This is the itinerary that is not just for viewing sakura at their peak! Don’t you think so? I am so glad that you have the opportunity to see Shirakawa-go (a Japanese village) in the spring.
Consider taking a day trip out of the city and getting back to nature if you can. You may go to Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture, and explore some great spots there to see Mt. Fuji!
You can stay your last days in Tokyo at Gracery Shinjuku. It is a very good hotel!
Tokyo is a big city with many incredible sights to see. To explore most of its popular attractions, indeed two or three days is not enough, instead you will have to plan to stay there for at least a week.
