Japan packs a lot into this 11-day route: cherry blossom parks in Tokyo, Mount Fuji views, Kyoto’s shrine gates, Nara’s deer, and Hiroshima’s peace memorials. You travel from Tokyo to Osaka, with hotels, breakfasts, selected guided outings, and major rail journeys arranged.
I like the mix of planned excursions and free days, which leaves room to set your own pace in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I also like that the trip includes several different ways to see Japan, from a lake cruise and ropeway to the Shinkansen and a scenic railway.
The trade-off is a busy schedule. You change hotels several times, and the Hiroshima and Miyajima visits fall on consecutive days before the journey to Osaka. Cherry blossoms are seasonal, too, so the tour’s name does not guarantee flowers at every stop.
- At a glance
- A Tokyo start, then a quick taste of the city
- Lake Kawaguchi, Mount Fuji, and Oshino Hakkai
- Hakone’s crater views, then the Shinkansen to Kyoto
- Kyoto at your own pace, then Arashiyama by rail
- Fushimi Inari, sake, and Nara’s deer
- Hiroshima’s memorials and a sobering museum visit
- Miyajima’s shrine, then onward to Osaka
- An open day in Osaka before departure
- What the price covers, and what to check
- Cherry blossom timing and the pace of the trip
- Should you book this Japan tour?
- FAQ
- Does the tour include international flights?
- Are cherry blossoms guaranteed during the trip?
- Are all days guided?
- Which meals are included?
- What kind of accommodation is provided?
- Is the tour suitable for all ages?
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At a glance
- Lake Kawaguchi and Oshino Hakkai: Take in Mount Fuji views, ride the panoramic ropeway, and see eight clear springs fed by water filtered through volcanic layers.
- Hakone by boat and ropeway: Cruise Lake Ashinoko, visit the steaming Owakudani crater, and cross the 400-meter Mishima Skywalk.
- Kyoto with guided time in Arashiyama: Visit Tenryuji Temple, ride the Sagano Scenic Railway, and walk through the bamboo grove.
- A full day for Fushimi and Nara: Follow the torii-lined paths at Fushimi Inari, learn about sake in Fushimi, and see Nara’s deer and Todaiji Temple.
- Hiroshima and Miyajima: Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then see Itsukushima Shrine’s famous torii gate.
- A partly guided private tour: You have planned excursions and an English-speaking local guide, along with free days to explore independently.
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A Tokyo start, then a quick taste of the city
Your first day is designed to be simple. A driver meets you at the airport and takes you by private car to Dormy Inn Akihabara Hot Spring, where you stay for two nights. International flights are not included, so you arrange your own journey to Tokyo.
The next day is free. You could visit Meiji Jingu, a major Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, or choose one of Tokyo’s large parks. Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Park are both suggested for spring blossoms. Ueno also has a zoo and several museums, making it a good choice if you want more than a garden stroll.
This open day is useful after a long flight, though it also means there is no included Tokyo sightseeing tour. If you want a guided introduction to the city, you will need to arrange it separately or explore at your own pace. Tokyo is large, so picking one area or a couple of nearby sights is more sensible than trying to cross the whole city in a day.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tokyo.
Lake Kawaguchi, Mount Fuji, and Oshino Hakkai
On day three, you leave Tokyo for the Mount Fuji area and spend the night at HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort. The outing begins around Lake Kawaguchi, a resort town with hot springs, museums, and views toward the mountain. A ride on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway takes you to observation decks at Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park.
The view is the main prize here, but it depends on what the weather allows. The itinerary also includes Oshino Hakkai, a small village with eight spring-fed pools. The water filters through volcanic layers, and the clear springs offer a quieter contrast to the larger sightseeing stops.
A boat cruise on Lake Kawaguchi is optional, so check whether you want to add it and what it costs before you travel. The day includes several stops, but the supplied details do not set out exact timings or how long you spend at each one. If Mount Fuji is hidden by cloud, the village and lake still give the excursion other points of interest.
Hakone’s crater views, then the Shinkansen to Kyoto
Day four is ambitious. You visit Hakone, cruise Lake Ashinoko on the Hakone Pirate Ship, and ride the ropeway to Owakudani, an active volcanic area with sulfurous vents and a crater landscape. A local black food specialty is also mentioned, though the itinerary calls it black jade in one place. Treat that as a wording inconsistency and ask your tour contact what food or souvenir is actually included or available.
The route also includes Mishima Skywalk, a 400-meter suspension bridge with views toward Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay. Afterward, you travel from Odawara to Kyoto by Shinkansen. Your Kyoto hotel, Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi, is near the station, but you make your own way there after arriving.
This is a long day with several distinct stops and a major train transfer. It offers a lot of scenery without asking you to plan each connection yourself, but it leaves little room to linger. If you prefer slow travel, this is one of the days to consider carefully.
Kyoto at your own pace, then Arashiyama by rail
Day five is free, giving you time for Kyoto’s major sights. Kiyomizu-dera is a World Heritage temple with broad views over the city. Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji Dori offer another way to spend the day, and taxis or public transport can get you around.
Kyoto rewards some advance planning. The city’s sights are spread out, and a free day can feel short if you try to cover too much. Choose a small cluster of places rather than treating the day as a checklist.
The following morning, a half-day walking tour takes you through Arashiyama. Tenryuji Temple is noted for its garden, while the Sagano Scenic Railway follows the Hozugawa River through forest and rural scenery. You also visit the Sagano Bamboo Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Okochi-Sanso, whose traditional house and tea house add a more intimate stop to a route that can otherwise feel very popular.
The mix of walking and rail is a welcome change from city streets and bullet trains. The railway ride is included, according to the tour details, but the schedule does not specify how much free time you have at each stop. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a morning spent on foot.
Fushimi Inari, sake, and Nara’s deer
Day seven combines southern Kyoto and Nara. At Fushimi Inari Shrine, thousands of vermilion torii gates line trails leading into the wooded grounds of Mount Inari. You can walk a short section for the atmosphere or continue farther up the mountain, depending on your time and energy.
The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum adds a different kind of stop. It focuses on Fushimi’s sake-making history and includes a tasting. That gives the day a useful local detail beyond temples and photographs.
Later, you travel to Nara Park, where more than a thousand deer roam freely. Some bow when offered deer crackers, but don’t tease them with food. They can get pushy when they expect a snack. Todaiji Temple, founded in 752, is the day’s major cultural stop and is known for its Great Buddha Hall.
This is a full day with several distinct experiences. The route offers a good introduction to Kyoto’s shrine culture and Nara’s religious heritage, but you may have to keep an eye on the clock, particularly if you want to walk far up Mount Inari.
Hiroshima’s memorials and a sobering museum visit
On day eight, you travel by bullet train to Hiroshima with a guide. The Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park are essential stops for understanding the city’s history. The park covers more than 120,000 square meters, with trees, lawns, and paths set against the surrounding city.
The Peace Memorial Museum gives the visit its emotional weight. Exhibits include photographs, models, artists’ impressions, and objects recovered after the bombing. It also addresses Japan’s wartime actions in Asia, an important part of the context. Allow yourself time to move through the museum at your own pace; this is not a day to rush from one photo stop to the next.
You stay at Hotel Intergate Hiroshima. The guide and arranged rail travel simplify the day, but the subject matter is serious. If you are visiting with children, it may help to talk beforehand about what the museum covers.
Miyajima’s shrine, then onward to Osaka
The next day takes you to Miyajima by bullet train and local transport. Itsukushima Shrine is known for its torii gate, which appears to float when the water is high. Deer also roam the island, but they are wild and should not be fed. That is different from Nara, where deer crackers are sold.
After the island visit, you continue by train and public transport to Osaka, staying at Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama. This is another substantial travel day, and the sequence means you see Hiroshima on one day, Miyajima the next, then finish in Osaka. It makes the route efficient in terms of coverage, but not relaxed.
An open day in Osaka before departure
Day ten is yours to shape. Kuromon Market is a good choice for browsing food stalls, while Osaka Castle Park offers green space. For shopping and city energy, head to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. The Hep Five Ferris Wheel gives you a city view from above.
On day eleven, a private car takes you from your hotel to Kansai International Airport. That transfer is helpful at the end of a trip, especially after several train journeys. Your international flight is still your responsibility, so build in enough time between the hotel pickup and departure.
What the price covers, and what to check
The tour starts at $4,680, based on the cheapest room. It includes accommodation, ten breakfasts, listed internal trains and cruises, a private airport transfer in Tokyo and Osaka, an English-speaking local guide for selected outings, and private air-conditioned transport where specified. International airfare is not included.
The value is strongest if you want the major transport and hotel arrangements handled for you. Japan’s rail connections, station transfers, and several regional excursions take planning, and having the Shinkansen tickets and key outings arranged can save time and uncertainty. You also get a private tour format, rather than joining an unrelated group.
The price is less compelling if you prefer to arrange hotels and trains yourself, or if you want a guide every day. Several days are independent, and meals beyond breakfast are not listed as included. Dietary needs may be difficult to accommodate, particularly vegan diets, so contact the operator before booking if you have strict requirements.
The stated accommodation plan uses three-star hotels, generally described as well located and selected for service and room space. The listed hotels include Dormy Inn Akihabara Hot Spring in Tokyo, HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort, Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi, Hotel Intergate Hiroshima, and Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama. Room sharing is based on two people; solo travelers pay a single supplement.
Cherry blossom timing and the pace of the trip
The tour runs year-round, but cherry blossoms do not. The seasonal guide gives late March to early April for both the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, and Kansai, where Kyoto and Osaka are located. Central Japan is listed as early to mid-April. These are broad windows, not promises, and blossom timing shifts from year to year.
That matters because the route crosses several regions in a short span. You might find blossoms in one city and miss peak bloom in another. If flowers are your main reason for booking, ask UME Travel about your exact departure dates and what happens if bloom timing is early or late.
The tour is described as low intensity, but that does not mean you sit still. Expect walking around temples, shrine paths, parks, stations, and sightseeing areas, along with multiple hotel changes. It suits people who are comfortable being on the move and can manage a packed day now and then.
Should you book this Japan tour?
Book it if you want a broad first visit with key transport, hotels, and selected guided days taken care of. The route brings together Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka, while free days let you choose how much more to see.
Think twice if you want a slow itinerary, daily guiding, or a guaranteed cherry blossom peak. The consecutive Hiroshima and Miyajima days and the packed Hakone transfer day are the main compromises. For a traveler who values convenience and range, and is happy to handle some days independently, this is a well-rounded way to cover a lot of southern and central Japan in 11 days.
11 Day Southern Japan Cherry Blossom Festival by UME Travel
“The 11 day trip to Southern Japan, cherry blossom time was a truly amazing and memorable experience. Whether it be the stunning cherry blossoms or…”
FAQ
Does the tour include international flights?
No. International flights are not included. The tour begins in Tokyo and ends in Osaka, with a private transfer from the Osaka hotel to Kansai International Airport.
Are cherry blossoms guaranteed during the trip?
No. The tour is available year-round, and bloom dates vary. The seasonal guide lists late March to early April for Kanto and Kansai, and early to mid-April for Central Japan.
Are all days guided?
No. This is a partially guided private tour. Selected excursions include an English-speaking local guide, while days in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are free for independent exploring.
Which meals are included?
Ten breakfasts are included. Other meals are not listed as included, and the tour notes that dietary requirements, particularly vegan diets, may be difficult to accommodate.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
The tour uses three-star hotels, including Dormy Inn Akihabara Hot Spring, HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort, Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi, Hotel Intergate Hiroshima, and Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama.
Is the tour suitable for all ages?
The tour is listed as welcoming all ages and having a low physical intensity. It still includes walking, station transfers, multiple hotel changes, and several busy sightseeing days.
