Enchanting Japan 09 Days with Cherry Blossom April 2019 - my kinda holidays

Enchanting Japan
09 Days with Cherry Blossom April 2019

From the shiny bright lights of Tokyo’s Akihabara District to the serene temples and gardens in
Kyoto, Japan is a country where the past and the future collide more than you initially realize.
If you can visit during cherry blossom season, you’re in for a real treat – the streets will be lined
with the most beautiful bunches of white and pale pink flowers, which in turn makes the country
smell absolutely phenomenal. This Japan itinerary starts in Tokyo, making a day trip to Nikko
and Hakone and then venture to Osaka and make day trips to Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima and
Miyajima Island.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TOKYO!
You’ll be flying into Narita Airport and will need a little over an hour to
get into the city center via the Narita Express. Today’s all about modern Tokyo! You’ll be
exploring the western districts of the city, including Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku
Shibuya is Tokyo’s version of Times Square, and with all the bright lights and massive amounts of
people, it’s easy to see why. Check out the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, where 100’s of
people          scramble           across         the            street         at         once.
Also say “Hello” – or Konichiwa — to Hachiko (the most loyal dog in the world statue) at Shibuya
Crossing and do some shopping at Tokyu Hands.
Meiji Shrine is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his
wife, Empress Shōken. You’ll be seeing lots of shrines and temples during your time in Japan,
and Meiji is a great one to start with! If you’re lucky, you may even witness a traditional
Japanese wedding ceremony! Get a taste for Japanese street style at Harajuku. On Sundays,
you can see traditional Harajuku Girls dressed in elaborate costumes and anime – so fun! Walk
down the famous shopping street of Takeshita Dori, where you’ll find a whole mess of fun stores
and fun cafes.
Shinjuku is the largest neighbourhood in Tokyo (dubbed the crazy entertainment district), and
you’ll find thousands of restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other attractions that you could
easily spend all day here. Consider the free observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo
Metropolitan       Government       Building,      visit    Shinjuku     Gyoen      (a     large
public park near Shinjuku Station being a perfect cherry blossom spot.

DAY 2: FULL DAY IN TOKYO: EAST SIDE
Now it’s time to experience the more traditional side of Tokyo, including
Sensoji Temple and Ueno Gardens. Another bird’s eye view can be seen at nearby Tokyo Skytree.
Asakusa is the spiritual heart of Tokyo and a good place to start your day! Sensoji Temple is the
main attraction here, and you’ll start your morning journey at the Kaminarimon Gate. As you
walk toward the temple buildings, check out the historic Nakamise Dori shopping street, pick out
some souvenirs and grab a Japanese snack (or two!) before exploring Sensoji Temple. Consider
drawing Omikuji (written fortunes) while here. If you’re up for it and are interested, check out
the        surrounding         old-fashioned       neighbourhoods          around       Asakusa.
Sumida Park during cherry blossom is a must visit. It is a wonderful spot to see the flowers in
bloom!
Next up – Tokyo SkyTree, the tallest tower in not only Japan, but the entire world! At 634m
(2,080 feet), the complex has two observation decks with great views over the city. There’s
even a glass floor for any of you brave souls! End the afternoon at Ueno Park, another large
public space located in central Tokyo and another lively cherry blossom spot. There are more
than 1000 cherry trees of multiple varieties lining its central pathway and lots of temples and
shrines here to check out. Spend the evening perusing the many electronic shops,
including Yodobashi Akiba – the world’s largest with nine stories stuffed with hi tech equipment
– for geeks with money. You’ll also find Japan’s diehard fan anime culture here, with stores
devoted to anime and manga.

DAY 4: DAY
TRIP FROM TOKYO
Hakone
Get spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and its
surrounding mountains on a day trip from
Tokyo. Cruise across Lake Ashi by boat and
take the ropeway up Mt. Komagatake. Relax
in the hot springs resort of Hakone,
and then catch the bullet train back to Tokyo.
Late evening train to Osaka

DAY 5: DAY TRIP TO NARA
     Head to Nara from Osaka
     Get ready to interact with some deer in Nara
     Park, which can be found all throughout the
     area and are literally impossible to miss! And
     oh yea, those crackers you see being sold on
     the street? Those are for the deer, not us
     hungry humans!

     A few temples to see: Todaiji (must visit
     Unesco World Heritage Site with super tall
     Buddha), Kasaguga Taisha Shrine (the most
     important shrine in Nara), Kofukuiji Temple,
     and Gangou-ji Temple.

DAY 6: DAY TRIP TO KYOTO
Take a train to Kyoto from Osaka
Visit the beautiful Tenyru-Ji Shrine and its accompanying zen garden. Once
you exit the garden, you’ll come across the Arashiyama Bamboo
Grove/Forest. Walking through the Bamboo Grove is definitely one of the
essential experiences to have in Kyoto Golden Pavilion or Kinkakuji, is
super impressive and made entirely of gold! Reflected in the lake, it’s no
wonder this is one of the top things to do in Kyoto.
Fushimi Inari Shrine (Taisha): The shrine is comprised of over 10,000
beautiful orange-y red tori gates arching over a scenic, possible 2-hour-
long walking trail.

Kyomizu-dera Temple, a listed UNESCO site is quite busy, but the view out
over a sea of trees is hard to beat – just imagine this during cherry blossom
season (absolutely to die for!)
Thereafter walk on over to Gion, Kyotos famous geisha district. If you’re
lucky you may spot a real true-life geisha, although they tend to walk fast
to their destination and don’t like to show their face.

DAY 7: DAY TRIP TO MIYAJIMA AND HIROSHIMA
                 Take an early morning bullet train to
                 Hiroshima and ferry to Miyajima.
                 Head straight to the tori gate (after some
                 deer interaction of course, yes there’s
                 deer here and they’re SUPER friendly,
                 just watch your food).
                 You’ll want to snap a million photos
                 because this place is just so damn
                 beautiful. Also visit the floating shrine
                 Take the Miyajima Ropeway for better-
                 than-great views of the whole
                 area from the top of Mt. Misen.
                 Post lunch do the Hiroshima Sightseeing
                 on Hop-On, Hop-Off Loop Bus
                 “Meipuru-pu” and visit the Hiroshima
                 Castle, A-Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace
                 Monument, and Peace
                 Memorial Museum and Park.
                 Back to Osaka late evening

DAY 8: OSAKA
Start the day with a visit to the ever-so-
beautiful Osaka Castle, one of
Japan’s most famous landmarks!
Next up, Dotonbori Street! It’s an
absolute madhouse full of people,
shops, and eateries, and an absolute must-
do while in Osaka. Be sure
to look up and admire the moving animal
billboards found on the
buildings.
Osaka is the food capitol not just of Japan,
but of the entire world.
Then whole of afternoon can be spent for
shopping at Shinsaibashi, the
city’s premier shopping district.
Take the evening train back to Tokyo and
night stay in Tokyo

DAY 9: BACK TO DELHI

DAY 9: BACK TO DELHI