The Japanese cherry blossom has long been admired around the world and is regarded as a symbol of renewal, vitality and beauty. Every spring the white and pink flowers blossom en mass creating an incredible sight. So if you’re planning on seeing them this year, here are three off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom experiences that are worth the trip.
Kunisaki & Yufuin Tour
This year, the Cherry Blossoms are anticipated to be in full bloom in Kyushu from early April. Designed for customers seeking gentler and shorter hikes, the Kunisaki and Yufuin Walk showcases the Japanese culture of past and present by walking along the paths monks once took over 1200 years ago, with unforgettable spring blossom scenes along the way. With its serene rural surroundings, customers can enjoy Japanese cooking at its best followed by a luxuriating soak in some of the most stunning onsens in Japan, a relaxing way to end a day of exploration.
Tour Dates: 1st – 5th April 2019
Price: JPY 228,000 ($2,774 SGD) per person
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Nakasendo Way Tour
Walk Japan’s pioneering tour, the Nakasendo Way explores one of Japan’s ancient highways, the Nakasendo, which translates to ‘the road through the mountains’. The tour takes customers up the bloom filled Magome Pass leading to the heart of Nakasendo – the Kiso Valley where customers will be able to witness the country’s natural beauty. In early to mid-April, during the peak of the CherryBlossom season, the Kiso Valley shows off with an incredible sight as it fills up with cherry blossom trees of all different varieties and colours. The Nakasendo Way brings customers out of the fast-paced city life and into the heart of old Japan.
Tour Dates: 8th – 18th, 10th – 20th, 11th – 21st April 2019
Price: JPY 498,000 ($6,058 SGD) per person
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Kyoto Tour
One of the shorter guided tours in Walk Japan’s repertoire, the two-day guided Kyoto Tour is the quintessential walking tour for guests who prefer a more succinct introduction to Japan’s vibrant culture and history. With the cherry blossoms in bloom in late April, guests can bask in the ephemeral beauty of Japan’s iconic flowers, while also exploring in depth some famous and some less well-known areas that were instrumental in making Kyoto the cultural capital of Japan.
Tour Dates: 25th – 26th, 26th – 27th, 30th – 31st April 2019
Price: JPY 46,000 ($559 SGD) per person
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For more information about these tours you can visit Walk Japan here.
