Discover Japan Cherry Blossoms - Snow Monkeys & Nakasendo with Hiroshima

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The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.

The Imperial Palace is located in the center of Tokyo, only a short walk away from Tokyo station. The palace is home to the current Imperial Family. The inner grounds of the palace is not open to the public, except on January 2nd and December 23rd where guests are able to enter and see the current members of the Imperial Family from a balcony. Visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Take a lesson from an expert and prepare fresh sushi. Experience the difference in the taste of Japanese-grown ingredients. Then, enjoy eating your masterpiece for lunch after completing your sushi lesson.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is far and away one of Tokyo's most prominent gardens. A picturesque location for a peaceful walk, Shinjuku Gyoen is actually a group of gardens connected by walking paths with the borders filled in by green lawns and trees. Naturally, there is a traditional Japanese landscape garden, but there is also a French Garden, an English Garden, and a Botanical Garden. The Japanese garden includes a traditional tea house and numerous cherry blossoms that make the park popular in spring. There are different varieties of cherry blossoms including late-blooming versions that make it a wonderful spot to visit later in the spring season. There are also parts of the garden with Japanese maple trees, so it looks gorgeous in autumn as well. The garden also has greenhouses with over 1700 different kinds of plants to admire. The enormous park was once a garden for the Imperial Family to enjoy, but was opened as a public garden in 1949.

Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo's most famous and recognizable locations. Tokyo is a true megalopolis: a city that never sleeps, and the Shibuya Crossing is a perfect example of that endless activity that Tokyo has become known for. Shibuya Crossing sits next to Shibuya Station, and is a multi-directional "scramble crossing" often called the world's busiest intersection, suffering almost no loss of foot traffic no matter the time of day. The Crossing is so iconic that it has been featured in movies, such as Lost in Translation and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The crossing is nearby another famous landmark - the statue of Hachiko the Dog sits on one of the corners. And the area has some other nearby attractions to enjoy - go shopping at Shibuya Scramble Square, take in the view from Shibuya Sky, or sit on the second floor of the Tsutaya Starbucks and sip coffee while you watch the bustling crowd on the Crossing below.

The Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure ever built and the world’s second tallest structure ever built at the time of its completion. Located not too far from Asakusa, this 634 meter tall tower is now one of the most popular destinations for visitors. The main observatory is 350 meters high and the second observation deck is 450 meters high and both offer a breathtaking view of the city.

The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.

Arakurayama Sengen Park is a park in the Fuji Five Lakes area. The park's major features include cherry blossoms, Arakawa Fuji Sengen Shrine (dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the Shinto goddess of Mount Fuji), and Chureito Pagoda - a five-story pagoda built near the shrine as a memorial for the people of Japan who died in war. Chureito Pagoda offers one of the best places for viewing Mount Fuji in the country. The pagoda's position in front of the peak allows photographers looking for that quintessential Japan photo to find the ideal picture of Mount Fuji, with scenes of the mountain and pagoda taken together. The presence of nearby cherry blossoms make late March and early April the best time to visit Arakurayama Sengen Park, but the mountain and its beauty can be enjoyed in every season.

Lake Kawaguchi is one of Mount Fuji's Five Lakes, and is by far the most famous, attracting visitors to the hotels that dot its shoreline throughout the year. It is arguably the most picturesque, being displayed prominently below the iconic mountain on postcards for the region. The landscape around the long lake is dramatic and stunning in every season, especially during spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Despite the lake's proximity to Mount Fuji, the mountain is not always visible from the lake due to the cloud cover, with the early morning and late afternoon being the best time to get a good glimpse. A number of other attractions sit around the lake, including the Kubota Itchiku Museum, Kawaguchiko Muse Museum, FujiQ Highland amusement park, and a number of hot spring bath resorts.

The Kubota Itchiku Art Museum is located on the north coast of Lake Kawaguchiko near Mount Fuji. This museum showcases the works of the late Kubota Itchiku, a famous Japanese kimono artist. This museum showcases several of Kubota Itchiku’s kimono art, which are based on themes of nature, the seasons, and the cosmos.

Probably one of the most famous monkey parks in the Japan and in the world is the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The park hosts a number of Japanese Macaques (also known as the snow monkeys), and many visitors can observe them up close. There is one large hot spring pool where the monkeys gather, but visitors can still see many groups on the walk over to the pool. Guests are not allowed to touch or feed the monkeys for their own safety.

The Hokusai Museum features some of the works by Katsushika Hokusai, a famous ukiyo-e painter from the Edo Period. Hokusai is best known for his woodblock series known as “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji.” Included in this series is the “Great Wave off Kanagawa” that has gained worldwide fame. The museum was built in honor of the time Hokusai spent towards the end of his life as a guest of Takai Kozan, a wealthy salt merchant in Obuse. The Hokusai Museum can be found in the center town and features two festive floats where the ceilings were decorated by Hokusai. A dragon with his signature waves is in one of the floats while the other dons a phoenix with the iconic waves design. At the Ganshoin Temple a Chinese style phoenix mural was painted by Hokusai in his final year. The incredible detail on the red mythical bird is a sight that should not be missed.

The Kamidonya Shiryokan is the name an old, spacious house and small museum in the town of Narai that once belonged to the town wholesaler during the Edo period. The building served as both the merchant's shop and residence, and has been wonderfully preserved so visitors can get a good look at what life there was like 400 years ago. While exploring the house, don't forget to look out behind the residence to see the small garden.

The Nakasendo Road was formed during the Edo period as one of the five Gokaido, major highways to connect important cities. The Nakasendo connected the imperial capital of Kyoto with the shogun's seat of power at Edo (now Tokyo) with 69 towns along the way serving as "post towns" to provide food and lodging along the way for government officials. Throughout the Edo period, this path was used by travelers of all kinds - merchants and traders, artists and poets, samurai, noblemen; even members of the Imperial family preferred it (as the easiest route of the five). Since then, much of the Old Nakasendo has been paved over with the advance of modern construction and transport, but a few sections, and the villages that connect them, still retain their traditional character. The most popular section is in the Kiso Valley (present-day Nagano and Gifu prefectures), between the old post towns of Magome and Tsumago. These two towns have preserved much of their traditional architecture and atmosphere, even going so far as to hide power lines and forbid the passage of cars. The stretch of road between them offers picturesque scenes of mountain landscape covered in forests, with rivers and waterfalls along the way, so a travelers can walk the path feeling as though they have been transported back in time. Some hikers extend their walking route to the town of Narai, hiking over the Torii Pass to Yabuhara and Kiso-Fukushima, which involves more up and downhill than the Magome-Tsumago protion, but with equally beautiful landscape.

Honjin and Wakihonjin are Japanese terms that refer to traditional inns from the Edo period. The Honjin and Wakihojin in the town of Tsumago have become popular attractions because of their location on the Old Nakasendo Road. The Honjin was reserved for only the noblest and most important of travelers, and was kept ready for service to government officials. In the 1990s, the Honjin of Tsumago was carefully rebuilt to look exactly as it did in 1830. The Wakihonjin was the inn for lower-class travelers, but is actually the same building from the 19th century, with many well-preserved architecture and displays related to the time period.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.

Located in the Arashiyama district in Kyoto, the Tenryu- Ji Temple is Arashiyama’s most popular temple. The temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The original buildings of Tenryu-Ji Temple was lost many times throughout its history, except for Tenryu-Ji’s garden. The Tenryu-Ji Temple Zen Garden that visitors see today is the original garden and landscape.

One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.

The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.

Located only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station, is the Gion Geisha District. The Gion Geisha District is one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyoto. This area is filled with restaurants, teahouses, shops, and other attractions to entertain guests. The machiya merchant houses along with river and the occasional geisha walking around, brings visitors from everywhere to experience everything that this area has to offer.

Kyoto is known for its Gion district which is famous for its geisha (geiko in Kyoto dialect) and apprentice geisha called maiko. There are many locations within Kyoto and the Gion district where visitors can have a maiko experience. Enjoy a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner in the company of a Maiko.

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are two shopping streets near Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. The traditional ambience of these streets contain with shops and restaurants housed in old wooden buildings take visitors back to the Edo period. Most of the shops sell traditional treats, souvenirs, kimono rentals, and other items associated with old Kyoto, though there are a few modern shops found there as well, but even they are traditionally housed so as to never lose the illusion of having stepped back in time. The streets are narrow and the buildings are closely packed together, creating a more intimate atmosphere, and it is advised that visitors be careful of the odd rickshaw passing by, though the streets are forbidden to cars. Due to the streets' old- fashioned appeal, it's common to meet Japanese visitors dressed in yukata, or foreign visitors who rented a kimono for a day.

Green tea has a rich history in Japan and has been the most popular non-alcoholic beverage for years. A green tea ceremony is the ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea that has been practiced for hundreds of years. The ceremony is full of many rituals and has a strong Zen Buddhism influence. The tea is prepared by the host for the guests and is usually green tea made from powdered tea leaves.

Japan is a very unique cultural experience because much of Japan’s history is still preserved, protected, and celebrated. One of the best ways to experience a visit to Japan would be to explore it while wearing a kimono. The kimono is one of Japan’s most oldest and traditional pieces of clothing. There are many places available in Japan to rent a kimono to wear and explore this beautiful country.

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.

The Fushimi Sake District (伏見) is a charming, traditional sake brewing district along the willow-lined Horikawa River in southern Kyoto. Revered for the clean, soft water that flows in abundance from the river's underground springs, the district is home to nearly 40 sake breweries. Alongside Kobe's Nada District, Fushimi has been the leading sake brewing districts in the country. Among the local breweries is industry giant Gekkeikan which was founded here in 1637. Fushimi grew during the Azuchi- Momoyama Period at the base of Fushimi Castle, the retirement palace of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the waning years of the Edo Period, Fushimi became a venue for the preparations and battleground leading to the Meiji Restoration. Sakamoto Ryoma, an important figure of the restoration, frequented the local Teradaya Inn where he barely survived an attack on his life on one occasion. At Fushimi's prime as a shipping port, flat-bottom, wooden boats plied the rivers, moving goods to and from the castle town. Wooden boats can still be seen on the river as sightseeing cruises.

Located north of Nara Park is one of Japan’s most historic and famous temple called the Todai-Ji Temple. This temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple’s main hall named Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world. It is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha siting at fifteen meters tall.

Located in central Nara is Nara Park, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Japan. The park is famous and popular because it is home to over one thousand deer. The deer roam freely throughout the park and visitors are able to get up close and feed the deer as well. This park is conveniently located near most of Nara’s main tourist destinations, which include Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-Ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum.

Kinpusenji Temple is located on Mount Yoshino, and is an important temple in the Shugendo religion, which is a syncretism between Japanese Buddhism, Shinto mountain-worship, and local folk traditions. The temple's main hall, or "Zaodo" , is considered a National Treasure of Japan, and houses three statues of Zao Gongen, which is a principal object of worship to the Shugendo practitioners, known as Yamabushi, or "Mountain Monks". Kinpusenji is an especially popular place to visit in spring, as the cherry trees all over Mount Yoshino begin to bloom, blanketing the regions near the temple in clouds of pastel pink. Within the temple complex are four cherry trees of exceptional beauty, which were planted in remembrance of Prince Moriyoshi, the son of Emperor Go-Daigo. The temple is a part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Yoshimizu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine on Mount Yoshino, once part of the Shugendo facilities like Kinpusenji Temple, but became a Shinto Shrine when Shinto and Buddhist facilities were separated by imperial decree during the Meiji period. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Go-Daigo, who once lived there during the Nanboku-cho period, and Masashige Kusunoki, his loyal general. Because of the beauty of the cherry blossoms on Mount Yoshino, the shrine became famous as a site for "hanami", or cherry blossom viewing parties. The samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi enjoyed several hanami parties from the shrine. The shrine has also become famous for history surrounding the 12th century warrior-hero Minamoto Yoshitsune, who hid there from. Yoshimizu Shrine is a part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Its wooden Shoin building is the oldest example of native shoin-zukuri architecture in the country.

Mt. Yoshino is by far the most highly sought-after location during Japan’s cherry blossom season by people looking for that perfect floral vista. Nearly 30,000 wild cherry trees bloom in a forest of delicate pastel blossoms covering nearly the full length of the mountain from base to crown. The blossoms are arranged in a series of four tiers as you ascend the mountain, with some levels blooming later than others because of the difference in temperature. Among the best places to see the cherry blossoms is Yoshimizu Shrine, with an observation area offering easy views of the mountain’s sides. A few other observation points are available at various points on the trail, where you can easily view the flowery vista which covers Mount Yoshino like fluffy pink clouds. These views provide the rare opportunity to see a thousand cherry trees at a single glance!

The town of Katsuragi in Nara Prefecture is called the birthplace of Japanese sumo, which has since become Japan's national sport. The art of sumo itself is heavily ritualized, drawing on Shinto rituals and generations of Japanese tradition to reach the state it is today, and the Kehaya-za offers visitors the opportunity to learn about this incredible sport. Built in honor of Taima no Kehaya, who is said to have invented sumo, the Kehaya-za has exhibits displaying the culture and history of sumo. However, the primary draw in visiting this unique museum is the Sumo Experience, where visitors can dress as sumo wrestlers and step into an authentic sumo ring, learn the rules associated with sumo matches, learn about some of the pre-match rituals, and engage in a practice match against a friend. They usually wear a sumo suit that covers the whole body rather than just the famous "mawashi" (which covers only the groin), so visitors can wrestle without being embarrassed.

Located in the center of the city of Osaka lies Osaka Castle Park which holds the city’s most popular attraction, Osaka Castle. This castle was originally built in the 16th century, but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times before. Visitors will have to go through Osaka Castle Park to reach the castle, which including walking through impressive gates, and walking up on stone stairs. This area is also one of the most popular cherry blossom season location in the city.

One cannot truly say "I've been to Osaka" if they haven't tried the street food. It's street cuisine one of the things Osaka is most famous for, and has even become a Japanese proverb: "People from Kyoto bankrupt themselves with fashion; people from Osaka bankrupt themselves with food." And the Dotonbori district sits at the center of Osaka's street food scene. During a street food tour, participants should expect those delicious dishes from simple food stalls and eateries that Osaka is known for - not Michelin-star haute cuisine. Two street foods are definitely well known in Osaka - Takoyaki (grilled octopus in little breaded balls), and Kushikatsu (assorted breaded and deep fried meats and vegetables on skewers), are local specialties, and were first sold in Osaka before going on to become popular Japanese festival foods. We include both of these during the tour, although participants are welcome to try others at their own cost. One dessert is also included on the tour, to be decided on the day.

The creative digital art collective known as teamLab is based in Japan, and since its founding has opened a few exhibition spaces across the country to display their jaw- dropping digital artwork. But teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is one of a kind. While its Borderless and PLANETS facilities were admired for being impressive indoor facilities with fantastic interactive artworks, Botanical Garden Osaka is an entirely outdoor facility located within Nagai Botanical Garden in Osaka. And while the park may be entered at any time of day, it is only at night that the artists at teamLab make the garden into the type of creative spectacle they are known for. Visitors can wander freely between exhibits, from dark groves of trees overlayed with bright green lines, or a field of large multicolored "stones" like the eggs of a dragon, to large smooth rock-like monoliths overlayed with swirling lights, teamLab truly brings technology and nature together to create mind-blowing works of art.

Okonomiyaki is a simple street dish that was invented in Osaka. A sort of savory pancake made with a thick batter, topped with shredded cabbage, sliced pork belly, scallions, and ginger, and drizzled with sweet Kewpie mayonnaise and Okonomiyaki sauce. The batter is grilled on one side while the toppings are piled on, but then the whole pancake is flipped (without breaking it), which takes practice in order to master. While that this recipe describes the most basic recipe for making the dish, the word Okonomiyaki literally means to grill "as you like it", so there are countless variations of this recipe, which are especially popular during summer festivals all across Japan. One especially famous version is the one from Hiroshima, which adds a helping of yakisoba noodles to the mix. Visit an Okonomiyaki Factory in Hiroshima, and learn about the local style of making this classic street dish, along with an Okonomiyaki Lesson where you can try the recipe for yourself.

The Hiroshima Peace Park is a memorial park located in the center of the Hiroshima City. Many of the memorials related to the dropping of the atomic bomb are located in and around this area. The park is the location to the memorials such as the A-Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and the Peace Memorial Museum. This area is also listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Peace Memorial Museum is one of the main destinations for guests visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park. The features the history of Hiroshima, effects of the atomic bomb, and its aftermath. Guests visiting the museum can explore the various artifacts and displays related to the atomic blast.

Senjokaku Hall is located on the popular Miyajima Island (Itsukushima Island) and originally started its construction in the year 1587 by the order of one of Japan’s famous unifiers, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This large wooden hall is mostly empty, but is a beautiful place to visit. Next to the hall is a large is a five- storied pagoda that was built before Senjokaku Hall in the year 1407. This location is a beautiful place to view the cherry blossoms during the spring season.

The Five-Story Pagoda, or "Gojunto" of Miyajima Island is located on a little hill near Senjokaku Hall. It is one of Japan's most beautiful remaining Five-Story Pagodas, with its bright vermillion color and cypress roof, all surrounded by picturesque forest landscape. The pagoda predates Senjokaku Hall and was built in 1407, with architecture that blends native Japanese and Tang Chinese elements, containing Buddhist paintings and iconography inside (though entry is forbidden). The building is beautiful to behold from any angle, and visitors who climb the hill to stand near the pagoda are rewarded with spectacular views of the nearby town, as well as the surrounding forested hills.

One of the most famous and well known shrines in Japan is the Itsukushima Shrine. This location is one of Japan’s top three most scenic places along with the famous Matsushima Bay and Amanohashidate, and brings plenty of tourist every year. This shrine and its famous torii gate are built over the water, which makes it seem like it is floating in the sea. Guests can stay in the ryokan hotels nearby or ride one of the many boat cruises while here.

Daisho-in Temple is located at the base of Mount Misen on Itsukushima Island (Miyajima Island) and is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism. There are many buildings, statues, natural scenery, and other religious objects for guests to enjoy. A hiking trail is also available for those that wish to go to the summit of Mount Misen from Daisho-in Temple.

Mount Misen is located on Itsukushima Island (famously known as Miyajima Island) and is the highest peak on the island. The summit of Mount Misen offers fantastic views of the surrounding area, and on a clear day can provide a distant view of Hiroshima City. There is a ropeway available for visitors to take up the mountain or hiking trails to reach the summit by foot. There are various activities for visitors to enjoy, which include temples, natural scenery, an observatory, and hiking.