7-day self-guided itinerary to Japan to see cherry blossoms

During 7 days in Japan, tourists can visit famous cities and see cherry blossoms begin to bloom.

According to the forecast of the Japan Meteorological Agency, the 2024 cherry blossom season starts from the end of March. However, due to unusual weather changes, the flowers bloom late by about 7 to 10 days and are expected to be in full bloom until early May. Vietnamese tourists who miss Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka can see the late blooming flowers on Hokkaido Island on April 30.

Below is a suggested 7-day itinerary for a self-guided cherry blossom viewing trip to Japan. The itinerary includes plane, train, and Shinkansen bullet train, according to Thanh Nguyen and Luong Tran, from Hanoi , and a travel blogger who has been to Japan many times.

Day 1: Osaka

Travel to Osaka, a city in southern Japan. From Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), there are daily direct flights.

Accommodation: You should choose to stay near train stations such as Namba or Shinsaibashi, convenient for traveling to many famous tourist attractions nearby.

7-day self-guided itinerary to Japan to see cherry blossoms — **Day trip attraction: Osaka Castle**

Places to eat: Ichiran Ramen or other traditional Japanese dishes in the Dotonbori area or the Minami area in Namba.

Day 2: Osaka - Kyoto

Attractions: Shitennoji Temple - one of Japan's oldest temples in Osaka and Gokuraku-jodo Garden, a traditional Japanese garden. If you come here in autumn, you will be able to admire the scenery of red and yellow leaves.

In addition, two other destinations visitors can choose are Tenmangu Shrine and Tenjinbashi-suji, the longest shopping street in Japan, 2.6 km long and 300 years old.

Evening: travel to the ancient capital of Kyoto. The train from Osaka to Kyoto takes about 15 minutes.

Where to stay in Kyoto: experience the ryokan (traditional Japanese houses).

Tourists come to Kyoto to see the flowers on March 31 as the flowers begin to bloom in southern Japan. Photo: Thu Tran

Day 3: Kyoto

Natural spots to see cherry blossoms not to be missed:

Philosopher's Walk. This is a pedestrian path that follows a small stream at the foothills of western Kyoto. Historically, Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida, a professor at Kyoto University, often walked along this canal to meditate. The scenery on both sides is peaceful and quiet, with ancient temples interwoven with nature. This is one of the places where cherry blossoms bloom most brilliantly.

In addition, there are also the Nanzenji Temple area and the Keage Incline - beautiful spots for flower viewing in Kyoto.

Stroll around Higashiyama and Gion - the geisha district. These are areas you should not miss when visiting Kyoto. Have dinner at restaurants in the area.

Day 4: Kyoto - Tokyo

Have fun at destinations including Nara Park, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and the old town of Naramachi or Sagatoriimoto. For families with children, or those who love animals and deer, visitors should visit Nara Park.

Other cherry blossom spots include Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Togetsukyo pedestrian bridge.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of the most famous spots in Kyoto. Visitors should check in advance to make sure the bamboo is at its greenest.

Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo in the evening by Shinkansen (bullet train). Choose a trip between 7pm and 10pm for a full day of fun in Kyoto.

Suggested accommodation: around major stations such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, Ueno for convenient travel or more upscale options can be chosen near Shibuya or Shimokitazawa stations.

Day 5: Tokyo

Spend the day visiting cherry blossom viewing spots. Some of the best parks to choose from include Yoyogi, Asakusa, Ueno and Shinjuku Gyoen.

Among them, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden is famous, dating from the Edo period (1603 to 1868), then becoming a garden of the Japanese Imperial Family. Currently, this place is a national park.

For visitors with more time, don't miss the Meguro River, where there is a river boat service, and the best view is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Where to eat: Ebisu Yokocho or Golden Gai in Shinjuku. This is where the scenes in the traditional Japanese cuisine series "Midnight Diner" were filmed. There are about 30 eateries in the area for visitors to choose from.

Day 6: Tokyo

Visit some popular places in Tokyo such as Meiji Jingu Shrine, Takeshita Street or Asakusa old town.

If visitors come to Shibuya station, at Exit 8 or Hachiko Exit, they will see the statue of the loyal dog Hachiko, one of the famous check-in spots in Tokyo.

Places to eat: Shinjuku street, Harajuku walking street. In the evening, go to Roppongi Hills to play and go to the high floors to see the city at night or New York Bar at Park Hyatt hotel, where the famous movie "Lost in Translation" was filmed.

Another option is to go to Tokyo Disney Park. It is quite easy to get to from the center, about 25 minutes. You can use the Japan Rail Pass to take the JR Keiyo line to JR Maihama station. If you come here, you should stay and play all day.

Day 7: Tokyo

On the last day in Tokyo, you are free to shop in famous neighborhoods such as Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza. This is where tourists can choose many familiar items for Vietnamese people. In these areas, there are also a system of restaurants and eateries from affordable to high-end.

Return to Vietnam from Tokyo airport (Haneda or Narita).

According to vnexpress.net

Source