Cherry Blossom 1
2 March - 01 April 2023
Day Zero Tuesday 21 March 2023
(Optional for travellers from Australia)
Meet Lyn’s family and fellow travellers at City Terraces, Cairns for pre-departure drinks and introductions. Discounted rates offered at City Terraces for those who would like to stay prior to departure to Japan.
Wed. 22 Mar 2023 (S)
Ex Australia: Depart on JQ 15 from Cairns Airport at 12:25
Alternatively: Meet at Kansai Airport at 19:30 or meet at accommodation.
Light supper
Thu. 23 Mar 2023 (B,L,D)
We will start our adventures locally with a guided walk around the village and pop in to a neighbour’s house. Around midday, we will enjoy lunch at the golf course up the road before heading to Banpaku Koen, the largest park in Osaka, famous for cherry blossoms and only 3 km down the road. The afternoon and evening will be spent exploring the many attractions within the park - from traditional gardens to modern architecture and pottery from all over Japan. Japanese love to do Hanami, a picnic under the cherry blossoms. We will join them for dinner. On the way home, you may like to experience another very popular activity in Japan - a soak in a hot spring 800m from our home.
Fri. 24 Mar 2023 (B, L, D)
Today we will explore Osaka - known as the kitchen of Japan because this is the city where good food is prized. Osakans are known for their friendly, joking manner and most of Japan’s comedians are from this region. As well as seeing lots of cherry blossoms,shotengai and Osaka castle, we’re heading to the sumo! This only happens once a year so we’re in luck.
Sat. 25 Mar 2023 (B, L, D)
Today we head to Japan’s most famous city, Kyoto, and explore by taxi and on foot . Since its cherry blossom season, we will pass by the famous Maruyama Park, Kiyomizu Temple and stroll along the philosopher’s walk. Kyoto also has some quaint canals, tea houses, artisan workshops and craft centres worth our time. If you are interested in sake, we can include a visit to a sake brewery. Alternatively, we might go to the annual Ikenobo floral art exhibition at their headquarters in Kyoto.
Kiyomizu dera
Sun. 26 Mar 2023 (B, D)
Sometimes the best holiday memories involve interactions with the local people. Today we will stick fairly close to home and people can do different things. You might like to shop at the local stores, experience a bilingual church service, play golf, go to karaoke, find some bargains at the second hand shops, get a haircut, learn a few words in Japanese, or try ikebana. There is also a new display home village opening on this day that we could visit. We will make dinner together so you will learn how to prepare Shabu Shabu or Okonomiyaki. We could also learn a little about Japanese sake and shochu. An early night will be good as we have 2 busy days ahead.
Mon. 27 Mar 2023 (B, L, D)
Today we go west to Himeji, Hiroshima and overnight on Miyajima Island. Himeji is most famous for its World Heritage, 400 year old castle. We will enjoy lunch in the beautiful gardens adjoining the castle and cherry blossoms before heading to our second World Heritage area, Miyajima Island. This overnight experience in a traditional Japanese ryokan will be something you’ll talk about for many years to come.
Tue. 28 Mar 2023 (B, L, D)
After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we’ll explore Miyajima Island in daylight and maybe feed the deer that roam freely. A short ferry ride and a train will take us back to Hiroshima City where we will visit the Atomic Bomb memorial and museum. The shinkansen (bullet train) will whisk us home in a couple of hours. Depending on how we’re feeling, we may stop for dinner in Kobe on the way home.
Wed. 29 Mar 2023 (B, D)
If we missed stopping at Kobe last night, we could double back today and visit the Earthquake memorial museum. Kobe has a history of trading with foreigners so there is a bit of a westernised feel to this city built between the sea and steep hills. Kobe is also famous for beef and Ikuta Jinja - one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Or, if you fancy a day of living like a local that’s possible too. For the kids at heart, you might like the bright lights of Universal Studios Japan.
Bamboo Grove of Arashiyama
