Photograph by Flickr, Skyseeker
cherry blossoms in japan
exclusive small group escorted tour
march - april 2021
If seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan is on your bucket list, now is the time to pit your name down for our exclusive small group escorted tour to Japan in 2021. Yes, it may seem very far ahead, but to be assured of hotel availability at this extremely popular time in Japan, it is necessary to begin the process well in advance. Graham Vos, our tour leader for Japan by Rail in September 2019, will again be your tour leader in 2021. He has in depth knowledge of how the train system works and will take all the stress out of your intercity commute by train - including the iconic bullet train! He will attend to luggage transfers and handle any tipping deemed necessary. During our tour, we will explore the very best of Japan, traveling between cities on various different trains, including the Shinkansen Bullet Train. Our illuminating journey, encompassing the dynamic and fascinating allure of Japan, will take us from busy urban streets to historic icons, from city hotels to country inns. During our time together we will experience Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Miyajima, Hiroshima and Kyoto. Accommodation will be in 3+ to 4* hotels and in traditional Japanese inns, most located quite close to railway stations to facilitate our train journeys.
In Japan, cherry blossoms are called sakura, a special flower for the people and the country. Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life.(Due to prevailing weather conditions, good blossom sightings cannot be guaranteed.)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- The urban charm of Tokyo
- Hakone National Park, in the shadow of Mt. Fuji
- Japanese onsen (hot springs)
- Unique local culture and famous sake
- Serene architecture and picturesque countryside
- Well preserved castle town
- Japan's iconic Torii Gate
- Tea ceremony in Kyoto
- “All you can drink" included in set menus
- Inter city train journeys, including the bullet train
Shinkansen Bullet Train
Limited Express Train
Hakone Tozan Switchback
Feedback from two of our guests who enjoyed our Japan by Rail escorted tour in 2019:
Would like to sincerely thank you for the wonderful tour to Japan, a real highlight of our year.Everything about the tour was just so good, the preparation and detail you went into, the experiences we had, our interactions with our tour leader Graham, laughs and jokes together, etc. The wonderful hotels, train journeys, the switchback day, train stations, our itinerary, the guides who were excellent. We were able to totally relax and this made it so special.
We would have no hesitation in recommending this tour to anybody.
Omotesando "Tokyo's Champs-Élysées".
Gassho-zukuri farmhouses
All photographs by Graham Vos, our tour leader to Japan in Sept 2019. He will also be your tour leader for cherry blossoms in japan.
Pirate ship on Ashinoko Lake
