Sakura blossom 2025

During the hanami season, the whole Hakone region looks beautiful. But, first thing in the morning, you'll meet your guide at the reception. The picturesque Ashinoko SkyLine mountain road has stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Then, you will move to the park; inside it is the museum of the imperial artifacts, plus an observation deck with the best views of Mt. Fuji.
You can also cruise along the mountain lake Asi on a pirate ship. Giant cryptomerias surround the beautiful Hakone Temple, located near the lake. The temple, built in 757, is magnificent any time of the year. Then, the mountain road will lead you to the footsteps of the sacred mountain Kami Yama. You can also try tasting eggs boiled in hot spring water in the nearby Owakudani Valley. According to local legend, each egg eaten extends life by seven years!
At the end of the day, you will relocate to your hotel in Nagoya.

Nagoya… Saying the city's name out loud evokes a quiet sigh of admiration. A legendary town shrouded in mystical fog, the capital of luxury, where wedding processions stretch for a mile, and the homeland of warlords and craftsmen, whose skillful hands create eternal beauty.
In 113 AD, the 13th Emperor, Yamato Takeru, before dying from wounds received in a battle with the evil spirit of Mount Ibuki, left his wife his sword. It was called Kusanagi no Tsurugi, a symbol of bravery given to the first emperor of Yamato by his divine ancestors. His widow, Princess Miyazu, built the Atsuta Shrine in honor of her husband.
Since then, the Great Sword, one of the three relics of the Emperors of Japan, has been kept there. This is how the city of Nagoya was established. You will enjoy visiting it, especially during the time of cherry blossoming.
Then, you will move to Sekigahara. It was the place where the historical Battle of Sekigahara took place. Now there is an open-air museum. This is a huge information and educational compound spread over a large area. Here, about 250 life-size sculptures of soldiers from both armies are located in battle formation, as well as command posts and paths symbolizing the directions of attack during the battle. From them one can judge how the battle proceeded, since the sculptural compositions of these warriors reproduce the course of the battle in great detail.

You will enjoy a day trip to Kyoto with lunch enjoying sakura blooming throughout the city!
Kyoto is the ancient imperial capital of Japan, one of the oldest cities in the country, the entire historical part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kyoto was founded in the 8th century and served as the Imperial residence for almost twelve centuries. Among its numerous temples and sacred sites in Kyoto, one can highlight the Sanjusan-gendo temple, built back in 1164. Even today, it is the longest wooden structure in the world. In the long central hall, in the twilight, there are 1001 statues of the goddess Kannon the Merciful. You will have a lunch break then at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, is another architectural masterpiece. The temple is gracefully reflected in the adjacent lake, making it a classic Kyoto view... Finally, you will walk down the open veranda of Kiyomizudera, or the Temple of Pure Water. You will enjoy a stunning Kyoto panoramic view. The local legend says that if you take three sips from the adjacent spring, your wish will come true! You will wrap up your Kyoto’s experience by visiting the legendary Geisha Gion quarter, which has been a center of entertainment since ancient times. You will come back to your hotel after that.

The city is very close to Kyoto, just half an hour away. It is beautiful during hanami! During its foundation, several majestic temples have been built here. For example, the Todaiji Temple, which was completed in 725. This is one the greatest wooden structures on Earth. Todaiji now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Light incarnation, embodied in the sun. Inside, there is a giant bronze Buddha statue, the largest in Japan.
In the 5th century AD, Japan borrowed a lot from China and Korea in terms of civilizational development. Religion was one of these gifts from Asia's mainland. Japanese have also borrowed writing, architecture, and even urban planning that dominated the Chinese Tang Dynasty style back then. This is why Nara, as Japan's first permanent capital, was built on the model of Changyan, the capital of China at the time.
Near Todaiji, another Buddhist temple, Kofukuji, is located; it was built in the 7th century. Its pagoda, Goju-no-to, is one of the tallest in the country. This "skyscraper from the past" is 55-meter high! The Goju-no-Pagoda is the most famous graphic symbol of Nara.