Japan – Double Cherry Blossom Tour 2024

DAY 1: HANOI - TOKYO

• 20:30: The bus and guide pick up the group at the designated meeting point and proceed to Noi Bai International Airport for check-in on flight VN310 (00:20 – 07:00) to Tokyo with Vietnam Airlines.
• Light meal and overnight rest on the plane.

DAY 2: TOKYO

• 07:00 (local time): Arrival at Narita Airport, Tokyo. The local guide and bus meet the group and proceed to visit:
  • Asakusa Kannon Temple: Tokyo’s oldest temple, a prime spot for souvenir shopping along charming pathways, with views of the 634m Tokyo Skytree for photos.
  • Akihabara Electronics District: A hub for tech and pop culture shopping.
• 12:00: Lunch at a restaurant.
• Afternoon: Free time to visit and shop:
  • Imperial Palace: Photo stop outside the residence and workplace of Japan’s Imperial Family.
  • Ginza District: Japan’s most upscale shopping area, featuring world-famous brands.
• 19:00: Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel.
• Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Tokyo or nearby.

DAY 3: TOKYO – MOUNT FUJI

• 06:30: Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.
• 08:00: Depart for the Mount Fuji area.
• 11:30: Visit:
  • Oshino Hakkai Village: An ancient village at Mount Fuji’s base, preserving traditional Japanese architecture (if time permits).
• 12:30: Lunch at a restaurant featuring Kobe beef.
• Afternoon: Continue to:
  • Mount Fuji: Japan’s highest peak at 3,776m, a national symbol. Ascend to Station 5 for stunning views (weather permitting).
  • Gotemba Outlet: A bustling mall with discounts of 50%–70% on various goods.
• 19:00: Dinner at a restaurant.
• Evening: Relax with an Onsen hot spring bath and sauna at the hotel’s natural hot spring facilities.
• Overnight at a 3-star hotel in the Mount Fuji area.

DAY 4: MOUNT FUJI – NAGOYA

• 07:00: Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.
• 08:00: Depart for Hamamatsu to visit:
  • Hamamatsu Park: Admire wisteria (fuji) flowers in shades of blue, pink, white, yellow, and predominantly purple, cascading in layers like a fairy-tale scene. In Japanese culture, wisteria symbolizes eternal love due to its deep, sturdy roots, inspiring poetry, music, and art.
• 12:00: Lunch at a restaurant.
• Afternoon: Travel to Nagoya, experiencing a 10-minute Shinkansen high-speed train ride (speeds up to 300 km/h), a global leader in rail technology.
• If time permits, shop at Aeon Mall Nagoya.
• 19:00: Dinner at a restaurant.
• Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Nagoya, Yokkaichi, or nearby.

DAY 5: NAGOYA – KYOTO – OSAKA

• 06:30: Breakfast at the hotel.
• 07:30: Depart for Kyoto to visit:
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace Park: A vast park with scenic paths, lawns, and trees, featuring Yae-zakura double cherry blossoms blooming for 2–3 weeks from late March to April. These vibrant pink flowers, with 10–20 layered petals and darker pink edges, form clusters of 3–5 blooms per stem, creating a stunning display. Guests are requested to walk quietly and speak softly within the palace grounds.
  • Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion: A breathtaking temple with two gold-leaf-covered floors reflecting on a jade-green lake, complemented by the serene Anmintaku Pond (said to never dry) and a lucky coin-toss statue.
• 12:00: Lunch at a restaurant.
• Afternoon: Travel to Osaka to visit:
  • Osaka Castle: A unique landmark built on two elevated stone platforms within a 1km² area, surrounded by moats and a park (photo stop outside).
  • Shinsaibashi – Nippon Bashi: Free time to shop for Japanese goods like clothing, cosmetics, and accessories.
• 19:00: Dinner at a restaurant.
• Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Osaka or nearby.

DAY 6: OSAKA – HANOI

• 06:30: Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.
• Morning: Transfer to Osaka International Airport for check-in on flight VN331 (10:30 – 13:40) to Hanoi. If time permits, shop at duty-free stores in the airport.
• 13:40 (local time): Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. The bus and guide return the group to the original meeting point, concluding the tour.