Early Cherry Blossom Japan Tour: 12-days in March 2023
We had a wonderful time on our 12-day Early Cherry Blossom Japan Tour starting March 15, 2023. This was our first tour of 2023, and it was fabulous!
Early Cherry Blossom Japan Tour: 12-days
March 15-26, 2023
Day 1
Everyone arrived in Japan, and we made our way to the center of Tokyo.
Shibuya Crossing | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 2
Our adventure started out with a subway ride to Asakusa Station in the great metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. Our first stop was Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple.
Sensoji in Asakusa | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 3
The following day, we took a scenic train ride to one of the five lakes that surround Mt. Fuji. We visited the Tsujigahana kimono museum, enjoyed an authentic Kaiseki dinner, and stayed in a Japanese ryokan with beautiful views of Mt. Fuji.
Ryokan at Mt. Fuji | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 4
We took our first ride on the Japanese bullet train Shinkansen to Nagoya and visited Inuyama Castle.
Waiting for Our Shinkansen | ©JAPANandmore.com
Inuyama Castle | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 5
We headed into the mountains for a day trip to visit the beautifully preserved post-towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley.
Magome, Kiso Valley Post Town | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 6
Next, we traveled to Hiroshima to see the Atomic Bomb Dome, visit the Peace Memorial Park and museum, and eat Hiroshima Okonomiyaki.
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 7
On the following day, we took a ferry to Miyajima to see the famous floating torii gate and the World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine.
Floating Torii Gate | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 8
We walked through the Higashiyama District in Kyoto with its old wooden houses and shops, and then visited the World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu Temple.
Kiyomizu Dera, Kyoto | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 9
This was a big day! We began by exploring the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of the oldest and most popular shrines in Kyoto.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto | ©JAPANandmore.com
After that, we went to a private Zen meditation session with a Zen Buddhist monk.
Zen Meditation Group Photo | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 10
We explored the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kinkakuji, home to the Golden Temple, and Ryoanji, Japan’s most famous Zen Rock Garden.
Kinkakuji (Golden Temple), Kyoto | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 11
On our last day of touring, we experienced the beauty of Tokyo’s cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park.
Ueno Park, Tokyo | ©JAPANandmore.com
Day 12
Group Photo with Geisha | ©JAPANandmore.com
You may also be interested in our 10-day Best Cherry Blossoms Japan Tour in March 2023.
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