7 Day Tokyo and Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo!

At Narita International Airport issue your 7 Day Japan Rail Pass at the train station within the airport and board the Narita Express train to Shinagawa Station. (90 min)

Walk across the road to your accommodation at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The Shinagawa area is the ideal place to stay in Tokyo for its convenient location and access to a wide range of restaurants and shops

Day 2: Tokyo sightseeing

Asakusa Kannon Temple

Commence your exploration of Tokyo and board the Yamanote Line train to JR Uneo Station. Use the central exit and make your way to the Ameyoko Ueno Markets. The long market lanes run from JR Okachimachi Station to JR Ueno Station. This market has over 500 shops that sell everything from seafood, meats, confectionary, Japanese teas to fashion wear. A very local market selling goods at reasonable prices and is always crowded with shoppers.

Just a short distance from Ueno Station is Ueno Park - one of Japan's most popular for cherry blossom viewing. With over 1,000 cherry trees, Ueno Park turns a delicate shade of pink in early April delighting picture snapping locals.

From Ueno Station board the subway 3 stops to Asakusa Station. Visit the nearby Asakusa Kannon Temple - Tokyo's oldest and most impressive temple. Leading to the temple is Nakamise Street, the colourful shopping promenade with a large range of craft and souvenir shops. It is the best place to buy everything from kimonos, crafts and traditional sweets. Only a few minutes walk from Kaminarimon Gate is Sumida Park, where cherry blossom trees stretch a few hundred metres along both sides of the Sumida River. Cherry blossoms can also be enjoyed from boats that cruise the river.

Later in the day return to Ueno by subway and board a JR train one stop to Akihabara. Akihabara boasts the largest range of electronic outlets in the world. Here the very latest in electronics is available to both the Japanese and foreign market.

Day 3: Tokyo sightseeing

Meiji Shrine

Continue your sightseeing in Tokyo and take a train to JR Harajuku Station. Walk through the densely wooded park towards the Meiji Shrine - Japan's most famous Shinto shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji. Surrounding the shrine is an area covering by an evergreen forest of 120,000 trees and 365 different species which were donated by people from all over Japan. On weekends you are likely to encounter a Japanese wedding ceremony.

Return to the station area and walk next door to Yoyogi Park located to the south of the Meiji grounds. Every weekend Tokyo's talented young sub-culture meet and perform in the park. Regular acts include Elvis impersonators, magicians, dancers and rock bands.

Next explore the side alleys in front of Harajuku Station called Takeshita Street - the lively street that prides itself as the forefront of new teenage Tokyo street fashion. Bargain hunters will enjoy a visit to "Daiso" to delight in what you can buy for only 100 yen!

From nearby JR Yoyogi Station head east to explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This large park features more than one thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties in Western and Japanese style gardens (Entrance JPY500 - Open from 9am-4:30pm).

Later in the day take the train to JR Shinjuku Station - the largest and busiest train station in Japan. From the West Exit walk 10 minutes through the high-rise business district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building to enjoy the commanding views of the city from its 45th story observation deck. The night view is breathtaking! (9:30am-10:30pm / entry is free).

Day 4: Tokyo - Kyoto

Great Buddah, Kamakura

Check out of the Shingawa Prince Hotel and leave your luggage at the porter's desk. Venture out this morning to enjoy one of Japan's most popular sightseeing spots; Kamakura. This historic seaside city is only a 45 minute journey from JR Shinagawa Station on the JR Yokosuka Line train.

As the former capital of Japan (from 1192 to 1333), Kamakura has many renowned Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines and numerous well-preserved historical treasures nestled among a peaceful wooded and rustic setting.

Visit Dankazura which is located just a 2 minute walk from the Station. The 100 metre long pedestrian approach is lined with cherry blossom trees, leading to the colourful Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The 850-tonne bronze Great Buddha, and the picturesque Enoshima Island all draw large numbers of visitors to Kamakura throughout the year.

Exploring on foot is the best way to enjoy a tour of Kamakura.

In the late afternoon, return to Shinagawa Station, collect your stored luggage and board a Hikari bullet train for Kyoto Station (3 hrs).

Your accommodation at the New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto is a 2 minute walk from South West of Kyoto Station.

Day 5: Kyoto

Gion, Kyoto

Commence your exploration of the ancient city of Kyoto. At 08:45am, you will be collected from your hotel's lobby to join the Kyoto Morning Tour. Your English-speaking local guide will take you by bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion and the Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat., Sun. & national holidays, visit Higashi Honganji Temple instead). The tour will disband at the Kyoto Handicraft Centre which is an excellent place to purchase authentic Japanese arts and crafts. The centre offers a courtesy vehicle to major hotels in Kyoto and station at approximately 1:30pm.

Return to Kyoto Station and take a local bus to the base of Kiyomizu Dera Temple. (JPY300 yen / open 6:00am-6:00pm) Walk up the attractive winding road lined with colourful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu Dera is famous for its giant wooden stage with panoramic views of Kyoto. Its main hall is constructed entirely of wood and is supported by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

In the evening board a subway from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station. Walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district and one place in Japan where you may see Geisha or Maiko walking between appointments. As darkness falls watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restuarants offering tempting cuisine.

Day 6: Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

Todaiji Temple, Nara

A full day of sightseeing awaits you in Nara. Here, you can find peace of mind and natural beauty as you uncover the many treasures of Japan's former capital (710-784AD).

From JR Kyoto Station board a limited express train for Nara (45 min). All sightseeing is within comfortable walking distance of Nara Station. From the station make your way along Sanjo Street towards Nara Park.

Should the weather be kind, enjoy lunch while sitting in the picturesque Nara Park, famous for over 1,200 tame deer that roam the area. Here you will be surrounded by impressive World Heritage listed cultural assets including Todaiji Temple, the world's largest wooden building housing the Giant Buddha that soars 16 metres in height. (JPY 500 open from 8:00am -4:30pm). Return to Nara Station via Nara-machi, an old precinct full of traditional houses, shops and tearooms in calm and pleasant surroundings giving a good contrast to the great temples and old burial mounds.

Return to Kyoto in the late afternoon. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, department store, specialty shops, restaurants and cafes.

Day 7: Kyoto - Depart Japan

Shinkansen Bullet Train

Spend your last day in Japan completing any final sightseeing or shopping.

For those departing from Tokyo, take a bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo. (3hrs) Within Tokyo Station board the Narita Express train to Narita Airport. (80 min)

For those depart from Osaka, board the Haruka train from Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport (80 min).

Be sure to check in for your scheduled flight at least 2 hours prior to its departure. Please note seats for airport trains need to be reserved in advance.