Following the Cherry Blossom through Japan

14 days from £12,150 for 2023 per person

• Kumamoto
• Nagasaki
• Hiroshima and Miyajima
• Kyoto
• Hakone
• Tokyo

Kumamoto has one of Japan’s top three castles and is one of the first spots in the country where the blossom appears. From here you also have the opportunity to see the mighty caldera of Mt Aso and the charming little hot spring town of Kurokawa before taking a scenic coastal train to the historic bayside city of Nagasaki. With its long trading history, the mixture of Japanese and western architecture here makes for a unique experience and the tram system gives it a laid-back San Franciscan holiday feel.

Back on the bullet train, whizz on to Hiroshima where two hundred or so cherry blossom trees have been planted in the Peace Park and grow wild on the picturesque nearby island of Miyajima. A hidden gem that most foreign visitors miss is Rurikoji temple and pagoda on the way to Tsuwano town where koi carp still swim in streams along the traditional main street.

You’ll catch glimpses of blossom on the hillsides between the cities en route to Kyoto. It’s the world’s second most-visited city after Mecca and many Japanese people make a pilgrimage to see the blossom here, but even with the crowds it retains its majesty and charm. Walk along Philosopher’s Path from grand Nanzen-ji temple to the zen gardens of Ginkakuji silver temple, where locals set up little tea stalls under the boughs. Visit Japan's great wooden temple and the tame deer in Nara park, then go a little further on to Yoshino mountain with cherry blossom trees all the way up it. After nightfall, see the Kyoto blossoms lit by lanterns and explore the atmospheric old Geisha quarter of Gion where many of the best restaurants are located.

A journey through Japan would not be complete without a traditional luxury ryokan stay, and the Gora Kadan in Hakone Fuji national park is perhaps the finest of them all. This brings you finally to Tokyo where you can explore around the Imperial Palace, plumb the depths of Shibuya and Shinjuku with hundreds of stylish shops and restaurants, and stroll under the many cherry blossom trees in Ueno park. Japan is always a remarkable holiday experience, but never more so than during the blossom season.

This is purely a suggested itinerary so can be booked as it is, or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made tour of Japan. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Epic Journey collection; as well as our favourite Spa & Wellness and Trains itineraries.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson