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Want to take a Japan cherry blossom tour?
Ah, Sakura in Japan – the most wonderful time of the year!
Japan cherry blossom forecast has been released. And if you looking for cherry blossom tours in Japan to experience the beauty and wonder of blossom season in Japan, you are at the right place.
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For locals, cherry blossom viewing or hanami is a symbol of beauty. The whole country stops and celebrates Japan’s cherry tree. With a cherry blossom festival, picnic under blooming cherry trees, or tea ceremony. For many travelers, seeing and experiencing Japanese cherry blossoms is at the top of their bucket list. It was on mine, and I absolutely loved my perfect 17 days in Japan during cherry blossom season.
BEST CHERRY BLOSSOM TOUR
My pick would be seeing cherry blossom at Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji in the backdrop! Seeing two symbols of Japan is breathtaking.
During cherry blossom season, streets and parks are lined with people taking pictures of stunning pink and white cherry petals as they drift through the breeze. If you want to experience the breathtaking beauty of Sakura, sign up for a stunning cherry blossom tour. You can choose between fully guided and private tours. Experience Japan’s cherry blossom season across famous landmarks, in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, or go on a day tour and see cherries at Mount Fuji.
Now, book your Japan cherry blossom tour!
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Overview of the best Japan cherry blossom tours
With so many tours it is hard to select a cherry blossom tour.
There are tours starting in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. You can also choose from options outside the big Japanese cities, like viewing cherry blossoms in Nagano, Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji, sakura in Nara with deers, or seeing the contrast between pink petals and the white appearance of Himeji castle.
Which one to choose?
Find all the information your need in the cherry blossom tour descriptions below.
Don’t have time to go through the entire list?
Here are my picks for the best cherry blossom tours:
• The best: Mt. Fuji full-day sightseeing trip
• Second best: Himeji castle and cherry blossom
• Third best: Kyoto Higashiyama rickshaw tour
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1. Tokyo: Daytime Hanami with a local
Experience cherry blossom like a true local with a daytime hanami. Wander the streets of Tokyo city and admire cherry blossoms around temples and shrines. This is a special Japan tour, only available during the sakura season in March and April.
With this small group tour, you will have a traditional Japanese cherry blossom picnic or hanami. The tour includes tea, sake, and a special hanami bento. A guide will tell you about areas you will be visiting and the meaning of sakura for Japanese people. You will get plenty of tips on how to take stunning cherry blossom photos that you can pair with cherry blossom captions.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“The guide was very knowledgeable, the pace very suitable and the tour adapted on the go according to the interest of the small group.” – Traveler from Denmark (More reviews)
2. Sakura in Tokyo: Cherry blossom experience
Celebrate cherry blossom in Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Tokyo. Join a local host and learn about the meaning of sakura for Japanese people. Enjoy the best blossoms viewing points in iconic locations such as Imperial Palace, Meguro River, and Koishikawa Botanical Garden.
You will participate in a local cherry blossom viewing experience or hanami. On this traditional picnic, you will get a bento-style lunch, cherry blossom special sakura-mochi, wrapped in cherry leaves. The host will select the best location for your hanami picnic, based on your viewing time. Will it be in a famous park, a small garden, next to a shrine, or on the banks of the Meguro River?
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“We had a very nice guide who showed us the cherry blossoms, where you can buy souvenirs, eat good “street” food.” – Traveler from Poland (More reviews)
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3. Tokyo: Evening Hanami with a local
This is an evening hanami walking tour, that will take you on cherry blossom viewing points along the canals in the Nakameguro neighborhood. After being mesmerized by the beauty of lantern-lit cherry trees, you will get to enjoy dinner in a local Udon-Izakaya restaurant.
On your walk along the Meguro River, you will get to taste local snacks and sweets that are prepared only at sakura time. There will be plenty of small boutiques and shops selling souvenirs. A guide will tell you about sakura, history of the area, and photography tips on taking cherry blossom photos.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Awesome tour! I’m glad we did this on our first day because this is our first visit to the country and we got all our dumb tourist questions about Tokyo and Japan answered by our guide. This is a must see when the cherry blossoms are blooming along the river, illuminated by these traditional Japanese lanterns. So beautiful! We went to other famous Sakura viewing areas during our stay in Tokyo but this was the most impressive.” – Traveler from United States (More reviews)
4. Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko full day tour
There is nothing like seeing Mount Fuji during cherry blossom season. Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo is one of the more popular cherry blossom Japan group tours. You will get to see Fujisan from one of the famous viewing spots in Lake Kawaguchiko at the time of Sakura.
While also visiting Oshino Hakkai, where you could taste the water from Mt. Fuji, you will learn about the symbol of Japan, Japanese history and culture. You will also visit the Arakura Sengen Shrine with a five-storied pagoda. Before returning back to Shinjuku, the tour will stop at Gotemba Premium Outlets but can swap that with the onsen natural hot water baths rich in beneficial minerals) experience.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Each stop was very enjoyable, especially the first two with clear and repeated instructions for times to be back. The views of Mt Fuji were unbelievable. Would definitely recommend the onsen grip if shopping isn’t your thing on the final stop. Well worth while.” – Traveler from United Kingdom (More reviews)
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5. Nagano: Snow monkeys and Cherry blossom tour
If you love sports and are an animal lover, Nagano Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour is for you. It is one of the signature tours you should do when in Tokyo, Japan. On this tour, you will combine 3 things in one day trip. Visit the Olympic Nagano, see famous Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani, and enjoy sakura.
You will see cherry blossoms in northern Nagano and see these pretty pink petals off the beaten track. The cherry blossom viewing spots will be decided based on the degree of bloom. Each sport has from 500 to 1000 cherry trees. Usually, cherries here are in full bloom later than in Tokyo or Kyoto, so if you missed them in those cities, here is your chance to see them.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“I loved the relaxed atmosphere, we hung out with monkeys til we were ready to leave. No pressure to get going as we had to keep a schedule. Cherry blossoms were just beautiful. I can’t get enough of them.” – Traveler from Germany (More reviews)
6. Kyoto: Higashiyama rickshaw tour
This is a private tour, where you will explore one of the oldest Kyoto neighborhoods, Higashiyama. It will be once in a lifetime experience, seeing it during the cherry blossom season on a rickshaw. The only way you can make this tour more memorable is to rent a Kimono and see the sakura dressed in a traditional robe.
You will walk and drive through Gion, well known Geisha district and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. There are countless stunning displays of blooming cherry trees. This a perfect Kyoto sakura view tour, combining tradition, culture, and history.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Perfect tour for anyone wanting to be transformed into a local and admiring the old part of Kyoto at sakura time.” – Traveler from France (More reviews)
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7. Kyoto: Evening cherry blossom and food tour
Discover the true spirit of hanami or cherry blossom viewing with Kyoto evening sakura and food tour. You will get off the beaten path and explore less visited temples and gardens of the Demachiyanagi area. Try cherry blossom-inspired snacks and sweets under the blooming cherry trees.
A guide will share the history of the area, explain the meaning of sakura in Japan and share tips for stunning blossom photos. You will finish this 3-hour-long tour in a local Udon or Soba restaurant. At the end of the evening cherry blossom tour, you will get a special hanami gift.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Perfect cherry blossom tour away from the busy streets. Love the guide, tour, walking pace and all the seasonal treats we get to taste.” – Traveler from United Kingdom (More reviews)
8. Himeji: private customized tour
Himeji private tour is a perfect tour to see the contrast of pink cherry blossoms matches perfectly with the elegant white appearance of Himeji castle. On this private tour, your guide will pick you up and spend half of the day at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji castle.
You will walk through the park filled with blossoming cherry trees and learn about the history of White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo), which survived WW2, earthquakes, and weather storms. A guide will educate you on architecture, and Japanese culture. You can add Mt. Shosha and Engyo-ji Temple to your itinerary. Himeji castle is, beside Mt. Fuji, my favorite place to admire pink cherry petals.
🗾 “What was Anja’s favorite subject in University?” It was cartography. Map making. And anything that involved maps.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Very nice guide who knows his subject very well and speaks very good English. She picked us up and brought us back to the station for the 1/2 day visit.” – Traveler from France (More reviews)
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9. Nara: Private tour
Visit the ancient capital of Japan, Nara with a private guide. Admire Nara deers under the blooming cherry blossom trees and learn about historic temples registered on UNESCO World heritage site. This is one of the must-do Japan tours that should be added to your Japan itinerary. Perfect as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
You will stroll across deer-filled Nara and visit Kofuku-Ji temple, Todai-Ji temple and see Japan’s largest great Buddha statue. Feed the deers under the blooming cherry trees and make the bow to you. Add a visit to another World Heritage site, Kasuga Taisha temple, to your itinerary, before concluding the Nara tour.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Very good tour guide, who has been very knowledgeable about Nara and Japanese culture in general.” – Traveler from France (More reviews)
10. Osaka: Daytime cherry blossom and food tour
Osaka cherry blossom and food tour will perfectly capture the hanami spirit. You will see the famous Osaka castle and gardens at cherry blossom. Try a variety of seasonal snacks, sweets, and drinks from food stalls. Cherry blossom is a serious thing in Osaka and is celebrated in many parts of the city, so you won’t be disappointed.
Experience a hanami with a guide and indulge in a special lunch, consisting of local dishes and delicious homemade soba noodles. Learn all about the history of the area, sakura, and Japanese culture. Plus, take stunning cherry blossom photos.
WHAT PAST GUESTS HAVE SAID
“Perfect tour to combine historic viewing and food tasting in Osaka, already famous for the quality of its food. Highly recommend the tour.” – Traveler from France (More reviews)
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Japan cherry blossom tours, in a nutshell
Visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And one that is usually on the top of many travel bucket lists. Not only because it celebrates nature’s new beginning, but also because of the hanami tradition that accompanies it.
To truly experience this beautiful spring phenomenon, cherry blossom or sakura, join one of Japan’s cherry blossom tours and feel the blooming season like locals do. Admire stunning cherry trees, their pink and white petals, in Tokyo gardens, parks in Kyoto, or around Osaka castle.
The best view of the blooming cherry trees is, in my opinion, watching cherry petals with the backdrop of Mt. Fuji. Or, admiring the cherry trees at Himeji castle, where the beautiful contrast of white castle and pink blossoms really stands out.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your cherry blossom tour and capture this delicate and fragile moment into lifelong memories.
Book your cherry blossom tour, before the blooming season ends!
Shine on,
Anja
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FAQ
What month is cherry blossom in Japan?
March and April.
Typically, cherry blossoms reach peak bloom between end of March and the first week of April. If the temperatures prior to sakura season are colder or hotter, depends on when the blooms will appear. In warmer years, cherries might start blooming in mid-March and in cooler in mid-April.
Why do people see cherry blossoms?
Cherry blossoms are a symbol of renewal and purity.
Pink and white cherry blossom petals are a symbol of Spring, time of rebirth, purity and also the never-stopping nature of life. Cherry blossoms are short-lived, about two weeks, and they remind us to stop, seize the moment and enjoy in the beauty before it is gone.
Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
Lake Kawaguchiko and Himeji castle.
The best spot to see cherry blossoms is in Lake Kawaguchiko from the Churieto pagoda view spot with Mout Fuji in the background. The view is also stunning from the lakeside. Second best place is seeing cherry blossoms at Himeji castle where the contrast between the white castle and pink cherry petals is just divine.
Skipped to the good part? Here is the gist
Sakura or cherry blossom season must be the best time to travel to Japan. Every year, locals and tourists wait with anticipation, when captivating pink petals will open up. To truly experience cherry blossom viewing or hanami, join a Japan cherry blossom tour where locals will share the history and cultural meaning of this natural phenomenon. You can choose between tours with traditional hanami picnics in Tokyo or Kyoto, to the beautiful sight of petals showering down from the trees at Lake Kawaguchiko and Himeji castle, or sharing cherry trees with deers in Nara. Make sure to plan ahead and book your Japan cherry blossom tour as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on this unique experience.
I hope this article helped you to select the best cherry blossom tour for you.
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About Anja On Adventure
Anja On Adventure is a travel blog, a collection of insider tips and information on destinations, that I visited as a solo female traveler, tour guide, teacher, yacht stewardess, and Survivor challenge tester.
Anja, is a thirty-something adventure-seeking, sun chasing, beach hopping, gin-loving, tropics enthusiast with a creative mind and sarcastic spirit, who loves coconut and mango but doesn’t like chocolate and sweets. I am passionate about all things travel, maps, and puzzles. Click here to learn more About me.