"Amidst the gentle breeze, cherry blossom dance, painting the world in hues of pink and white."
Japan is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With Sacred Shinto shrines, magnificent Buddhist temples, bygone trade footpaths, spectacular landscaped gardens, preserved cultural icons, and gastronomical delights, Japan has incredibly rich cultural heritage and unique natural beauty, which is reflected in the fact that the country boasts 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The 'Cherry Blossom Festival', called 'Sakura' in Japanese, marks the onset of spring and paints the landscape in exquisite tones. White or pale pink, sometimes dark pink or yellow, and sometimes changing color as the blooming period progresses, they symbolize the delicate and ephemeral nature of life and attract every jaded traveller to the 'once in a lifetime experience.
Experience the Magical Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan with 50+ Voyagers Travel and Adventure Club on a tour specially designed for age 50+ and senior citizens.
Board flight from your hometown in India today early morning or a day before, and arrive in Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) in afternoon hour before 4:00 PM to avail group pick up around 5:00 PM.
Tokyo, Japan's busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. Post clearing immigration, board coach bus and proceed to the Tokyo city and on the way enjoy dinner and then go to the hotel for check-in. Take good rest and slip into the land of dreams to energize yourself for an adventurous day ahead.
Post breakfast, we shall proceed to Ueno Park, home to over one thousand cherry trees of 50 different varieties. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in abundance, transforming the vast Ueno Park into a sea of pink blossoms.
Then we shall go to the East garden of Imperial Palace which is located at the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area dotted with cherry tree and surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo. The Imperial palace is the present residence of Japan's Imperial Family and thus except the garden public entry to the palace is restricted. We shall have a tour of sprawling East garden which is part of inner palace area and Nijubashi bridge, the most photographed spot of the Imperial Palace ground.
Admire Tokyo's prettiest 'Cherry Blossoms at Chidorigafuchi moat', where cherry trees are lined up along the moat or canal guarding the Imperial Palace. Walk on the Chidorigafuchi's path a 700-meter-long tunnel of majestic cherry tree branches blossoming in tinted pink color over the water, making an absolute breathtaking scenery all around you.
After enjoying a day with nature and post dinner at restaurant, return to hotel for a goodnight sleep.Post breakfast, we shall go to the Tokyo SkyTree which is the world's tallest tower! It's also the world's second tallest structure after Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Enjoy a spectacular view of Tokyo city when you walk on the spiral, glass-covered, world's highest skywalk.
Admire the Asakusa Kannon Senso-ji Temple which is the oldest Buddhist temple in the capital, and the five-story pagoda, trails of incense and vast eaves will take you back to a Tokyo of time gone by. This temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, and it is incredibly popular with millions of people visiting every year. We shall spend some time at Nakamise shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.
In the afternoon, proceed to Kawaguchi which is a hot spring resort town near Mount Fuji. Upon reaching Kawaguchi, check-in to a hot-spring hotel to enjoy a night of onsen( hot spring bath) and dinner at the hotel.
Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast and then proceed visit Mount Fuji - 5th station (if weather permits) which is at 3776 meters Japan's highest mountain and one of the Japan's most iconic symbols. To the Japanese, Mt. Fuji has long been a site of spiritual importance and a source of artistic inspiration.
We shall go for a tour of Hakone Lake or Ashi Lake, a lake formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago. Be greeted by the astounding views of pastel pink of Cherry blossom that sweep away the spring landscape of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. We shall proceed to Hakone National Park on Hakone Ropeway to Mount Fuji 5th Station ( if weather permits), while enjoying views of the active, sulfuric hot spring sources of the Owakudani Valley between Sounzan and Owakudani and of Lake Ashinoko.
We shall proceed to Toyohashi, on our way to Kyoto for an overnight stay.Our next destination will be Kinkakuji Golden Pavilionwhich is a world UNESCO Heritage site and also known as Golden Pavilion. It is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto who's top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The reflection of the shining gold in the mirror pond surrounding the building is truly spectacular.
We shall visit the beautiful, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or Sagano Bamboo Forest which is one of Japan's most incredible sights during spring with pops of green, white and pink creating a spectacular view. The graceful bamboo pillars stretch up to the sky, whispering back and forth in the wind illuminated in the soft morning light.
We will then proceed to the magical Fushimi Inari, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates and plenty of colorful cherry trees dotted around Fushimi Inari that wind through the hills behind Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine.
We shall visit Kiyomizudera which is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall which affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance.
We shall go for a leisure stroll through the Philospher's path, along a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees and is Japan's one of most popular hanami - cherry blossom viewing spots.. The path is named after, one of Japan's most famous philosophers, Nishida Kitaro, who was said to practice meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.
Attend a Kimono wearing and Japanese traditional Tea Ceremony/Tasting Session. Enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to the hotel.
Gear up for a exciting Bullet train journey to Hiroshima today. Hiroshima is an international landmark recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bombing's aftermath can still be viewed at Genbaku Atomic Dome, a structure that survived a direct hit.
We shall got for a ferry ride to Miyajima Island and is best known for its 'floating' torii gate. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its aesthetic ocean view. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views. There are also wild deer on the island that have become accustomed to people.
We shall visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial a memorial park and Genbaku Dome in the center of Hiroshima. It is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack and is built on the memory of the victims of the nuclear attack on August 6, 1945.
Later in the evening, enjoy dinner and check-in to the hotel.
Post breakfast, board a bullet train to Osaka, Japan's street food capital, Osaka. We shall go to the expansive Osaka castle in middle of garden of cherry and apricot trees and guarded by neighbouring skyscrapers. The Osaka castle is a symbol of unified Japan under Toyotomi rule around 15th century and has citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. Inside the castle, we shall visit Nishinomaru Garden, is a lawn with 600 cherry trees making it Osaka's most popular Hanami spots.
After which we shall proceed to visit the spectacular Osaka Aquarium , world's largest aquarium, where you will get a a chance to marvel at the spectacular marine life of the Pacific Rim, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Arctic. Here you shall see the whale shark from pacific ocean, , emperor penguins from Antarctica, California sea lions, porcupine fish from the Panama Gulf and leaping dolphins from the Tasman Sea.
Spend a leisure evening at Shinsaibashi Arcade which is a popular shopping district in Osaka along the lively Dotonbori canal, which have a 400 years long history as a regional centre of commerce. Strolling on the colorful Datonbari streets filled with signage and billboards with a giant pufferfish, an octopus, a clown, the Kani Douraku crab all vying for your attention, is a delightful way to experience the vive and life of downtown Osaka. As the night falls, let your breath be taken away by explosion of bright neon lights of Dotonbori streets. Post dinner, return to the hotel for a good sleep.
Post breakfast, we shall proceed to the charming city of Nara which was capital of ancient Japan and located in the valleys of Mt. Wakakusa. The city is imporatant for ancient Japanese Buddhist temples, including the 'Seven Great Temples of Nara' and is designated as UNESCO World Heritage site.
We shall visit Nara Deer park which has more than 1000 freely roaming deers and become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. This park comes alive every spring as thousands of Cherry trees burst into bloom.
Spend time at Todaiji Temple which is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and home to Japan's largest bronze Buddha. The temple is also known for its discovery of treasure trove hidden inside the leg of the Buddha, including pearls, mirrors, swords and jewels.
Proceed back to Osaka and post dinner, go to the hotel for a good sleep.
It's time to say Sayonara to this astonishing country with rich culture, fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes, and unique cuisine and carry its memory in our heart.
After breakfast, we shall proceed to Osaka International Airport (Kansai International Airport (KIX))in group for return flight back to India. You shall be dropped in group at Osaka International Airport by morning 7:30/8:00 AM, so your flight should depart post 11:00 AM.
8 nights accommodation in 4* category hotel at Tokyo, Toyohashi, Kyoto and Osaka. 1 night at Japanese style 3* Onsen Hotel at Mt. Fuji. All stay on double/twin sharing basis. If you prefer single sharing room, contact us for supplemental cost.
9 Breakfast, 8 Lunch and 9 Dinners as per the tour plan. Breakfast is continental/Japanese. Lunch and Dinner will be either Indian and local cuisine as available during tour. 1 litre of water per day per person.
National parks and garden entry fee as per itinerary. Tickets for Tokyo Sky - Tree, Mount Fuji 5th Station and Hakone lake, Osaka Aquirium. Ferry ride to Miyajima Island. Kimono wearing and Japanese Tea Ceremony/Tasting Session. Temple/Fort/castle entry fee as per itinerary. Tips for Local Guide and Bus Driver.
Roundtrip High speed Bullet Train between Kyoto-Hiroshima and Hiroshima-Osaka.
You can either click on 'Book Now' button on this page or call us (+91) 8095767595 or email us info@50plusvoyagers.com to request booking
Send us a copy of PAN Card and Passport with at least 6 months validity from the return date of this tour. You must carry your original passport during tour.
Pay Rs. 1,40,000 as 'tour booking fee' by on-line transfer or cheque or cash to the current bank account of 50+ Voyagers Travel and Adventure Club Pvt. Ltd.
Pay balance amount 60 days before tour departure date.
If you want us to make train/flight booking, appx amount of same to be paid at time of booking. Remaining to be adjusted with balance payment.
Indian passport holders need Visa to enter Japan. Japan tourist visa for Indian Passport Holder is applied through VFS of Japan Embassy. It takes around 2 weeks to get Visa approved after all documents submitted to VFS. We shall assist you in getting appointment at VSF. Please note 50+ Voyagers only assists you in the visa application and can not influence your visa process, duration and approval. It's your responsibility to ensure that you submit all required documents as per guidelines of Japan tourist visa. The Japan Consulate is the sole authority to grant you tourist visa.
Passport, (valid for at least 90 days after the intended stay/departure date of this tour; at least Two unused/blank visa pages).
Fully completed Japan visa application must be completed in black ink and block letters.
Proof of funds - Latest 6 month's bank statement of traveller or sponsor, signed and stamped by the bank with good balance ( Atleast Rs. 2 lakh+ average balance for the 6 months period is better with regular in/out transactions). 2 Years ITR ( IT return Acknowledgement). Proof of employment/business/retirement/pension income/rental income/regular income
Day by Day Tour Schedule along with proof of hotel booking, (verifiable) stating the name, passport number of applicant(s) and duration of visit, physical address, as well as contact details of the hotel.
NOC for leave from employer/ school/ university clearly mentioning the name, passport number of applicant(s) and duration of visit. Letter must have the physical address, as well as contact details of authorized signature's name, designation and signature.
Proof of Travel Insurance.
Valid flight ticket OR proof of reservation.
Two recent (not older than 30 days/1 month) passport size, ( 35mm x 45mm of the picture) photographs.
If passport is not issued from current residence state, then proof of residence in state where applicant is residing currently and thus from where Visa to be applied.
Marriage certificate, where applicable.
Copies of passport bio-data pages (photo page and address/parents page (INDIAN PASSPORTS).