Between Tokyo and Osaka: Cherry Blossom Tour

6 days 5 nights

fromUSD $2598.00

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Single Supplement: USD $450.00

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Shorinzan Daruma Temple is located in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. What the temple (and the city) is most noted for is the creation and dispersal of the Daruma doll, which has gained widespread popularity throughout Japan. The image of the Daruma is based on the Buddhist sage Bodhidarma, who founded Zen Buddhism. The dolls are associated with perseverance in pursuing goals and good fortune. Daruma dolls are regularly sold with no eyes. One eye is painted on the doll with the declaration of a goal, the other is painted when the goal is achieved. The dolls are then burned at a local festival held there every year, and new dolls are purchased to commemorate the formation of new goals. In history unrelated to Daruma dolls, the Shorinzan Daruma Temple grounds were also the onetime residence of German architect Bruno Taut, who briefly lived in a building on the outskirts of Shorinzan in the 1930s.

In the city of Takasaki, near Shorinzan Daruma Temple, you can learn the history of the famous Daruma dolls, and try to paint one for yourself. The Daruma Doll originated at the temple, and was made in the image of the Buddhist sage Bodhidarma, who founded the Zen school of Japanese Buddhism. Daruma dolls have become associated with ideals of perseverance in working to achieve goals and of good fortune in general, and the typical painting of a Daruma doll begins with meditating on the goal you are working towards, and painting in a single eye to signify your commitment to achieving success. The other eye is then painted on when the goal is achieved. Some workshops in the area have classes where you can paint the entire face instead of just the eyes. A broad range of colors of dolls may be offered to symbolize different goals, although red is the standard color for Daruma. It is also not uncommon to see female versions of Daruma dolls, known as "Hime Daruma", though workshops may only have you painting the standard male representation of Bodhidarma.

The Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church was designed by American architect Kendrick Kellog and built in Kanazawa. This magnificent building was commissioned by the followers of Uchimura Kanzo, a Christian spiritual leader, evangelist, author, and founder of the Japanese “Non-Church Movement”. Though unopposed to congregational places of worship in general, Kanzo was dissatisfied with how Christianity had developed in the West, and the building reflects his more “natural” philosophies in its curved arches, ribbed skylights, and more organic layout.
This church is especially popular with young couples who desire a Western-style wedding, and marriage services are held here often throughout the year. The natural and verdant aesthetic to the church makes ceremonies especially memorable.

In the woodland to the north of Karuizawa is the especially lovely Shiraito Falls, one of many falls in Japan to have that name. Shiraito is a word that means “White Threads”, which is an especially appropriate description for these falls. This particular Shiraito Falls is an especially broad waterfall; a white curtain of water, seventy meters long, is draped over a curved stone rim crowned in bushy green foliage. The area is especially popular in the autumn season, when visitors enjoy the colorful change to the overhanging leaves.
The source of Shiraito Falls is groundwater that emerges from the overgrowth to fall into a pristine natural pond, so the flow of the falls remains constant no matter how hard it rains. Looking at the waterfall from the observation area, it appears like the water is flowing directly out of the rock!

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 Japan Ukiyo-e Museum houses over 100,000 wood block prints from the private collection of the Sakai Family. It is the largest collection of wood block prints in the world and is located in Matsumoto near the Matsumoto Open Air Architectural Museum. Yoshitaka Sakai was a wealthy merchant who started collecting wood block prints, which continued to grow through the generations of the Sakai Family. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum was first established in 1982 by Tokichi Sakai. It was designed by Shinohara Kazuo as a storage space for the pieces of art, but it was later extended by the architect Haba Kuniharu in 1995. Alongside the limited displays of wood block prints from the collection, there is a movie detailing the history of the art form of ukiyo-e. Parts of the Sakai collection have been exhibited in Europe, South America, North America, Middle East, and East Asia.

Every morning in Takayama there are two morning markets set up for tourist to visit. Both markets are well within walking distance from Takayama station. In front of the Takayama Jinya is the Jinya-Mae Market and along the Miyagawa River in the old town section is the Miyagawa Market. Guests can enjoy shopping for goods such as small crafts, foods, snacks and flowers.

Located by only a ten minute walk away from Takayama Station is the Takayama Jinya. The Takayama Jinya was once the former local government office until the year 1969, but now has been turned into a museum. Guests can see the various items on display such as past official documents and other historical items in this museum.

One of the most popular attractions for visitors in Takayama is the old town district. Many of the buildings and houses in this area have been preserved since the Edo Period. There are many shops, sake breweries, tea houses, and even some homes open for the public to enjoy.

An open air museum that exhibits farmhouses and other structures relocated to Ogimachi in order to save them from destruction

Located in Kanazawa is the Kenrokuen Garden, which is one of Japan’s most famous and three most beautiful landscape gardens. The garden is especially beautiful during the plum blossom season and cherry blossom season with the different flowers that bloom as well. This garden is also a popular location to view the fall colors during autumn. Nearby are plenty of attractions including restaurants, shops, and the popular Kanazawa Castle.

A popular destination located within Kanazawa is the Nagamachi Samurai District. This historic location used to house the world famous samurai of Japan and their families. This district features many restored buildings, shops, restaurants, and museums. This area is the location of museums such as the Nomura- ke, Shinise Kinenkan Museum, and the Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum.

Kanazawa offers a Gold Leaf Workshop as an introduction to the production process and uses for one of their city’s principal products. Since the late 1500s, the city has been a leader in producing the finest gold leaf in Japan, and it has become an integral part of the city’s culture. Many native items use gold leaf in Japan, from Buddha statues to lacquerware to ceramic teacups. Souvenir shops all around the city sell various items that have been locally gilded. This workshop gives visitors an inside look on how the local gold leaf is so finely made, and even offers the opportunity to do a little hands-on decorating. After the workshop, attendees can make their own original patterns in gold leaf, producing a good souvenir.