Best Day Trips for Cherry Blossom Viewing in Tokyo

The magnificent cherry blossoms alone are enough reason to visit Tokyo in spring. Sakura, as the locals call it, is deeply tied to Japan's history and identity, symbolising hope and renewal. No wonder people flock to see it in full bloom from March to May every year!

If you're planning to travel to Japan anytime soon and you're not sure where to see cherry blossoms, then keep reading. You'll find some of the best Tokyo day trips and cherry blossom tours in this article, cherry-picked just for you. Get it?

If you want to veer away from the crowds that are sure to gather in Tokyo in spring, then try visiting Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino). Located in Nara Prefecture, it has been considered one of the best spots in Japan because of the mountain slopes covered with more than 30,000 cherry trees.

And because of the changes in altitude and the many varieties of trees, the cherry blossoms will look different as you go up from town to town. Some trees bloom earlier than others, so if you time your visit perfectly, you may be able to see cherry blossoms in different blossom phases. No wonder it's considered one of the best places to go in spring!

This one-day tour in the Watarase region should defo be on your list of spring things to do in Japan. The Tokyo day trip begins with an all-you-can-eat strawberry-picking experience followed by a visit to the iconic Takatsuko bridge, where you can see the vibrant hues of cherry blossoms from a distance.

You'll then hop on a scenic train ride from Gōdo Station to Mizunuma Station, ending with a visit to Ashikaga Flower Park, where stunning floral displays of wisteria await. The package is also inclusive of a fantastic meal of udon noodles and a salmon rice bowl, so you won't have to worry about getting hungry. Epic sights, cultural exploration, and delicious food all come together in this tour!

Make sure to bring your camera on this tour, mate, 'cause you'll be visiting lots of popular tourist attractions. On this trip, your full day will consist of tours around internet-famous spots like *the* Lawson Convenience Store, Hikawa Watch Shop, Asama Park, and Water Torii.

You'll also get the chance to see a majestic view of Mount Fuji, made even better by the stunning cherry blossoms around you. Finally, you'll make a stop at Hakone Shrine, where people often visit to pray for good luck. Better start thinking about your wishes now!

This tour offers another bloody good opportunity to see Mount Fuji in all its glory—from over 2,400m above ground! You'll get to enjoy a thrilling ropeway ride up the mountains, where you can expect to see breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko.

Of course, this day trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to Shin Arakura Sengen Shrine, where you'll see not only a field of cherry blossoms but also a picture-perfect view of the city.

What better place to view cherry blossoms than in Nara Park, one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan? To add to that, adorable deer also roam the park. You can take photos or even feed them if you buy Deer Senbei (deer food) for about 150 YEN (approximately 2 AUD).

A local professional tour guide will be there to give you a better understanding of Japanese culture, too, so you'll learn heaps of interesting things on top of a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing experience. Meanwhile, during the self-guided part of the tour, exploring Todaiji Temple is highly recommended. This location houses Japan's largest gold and bronze statue: the Rosena Buddha, commonly known as the Nara Great Buddha.

After this, you can defo brag about going on one of the best day trips from Tokyo.

If you're not one to stick to a strict schedule or itinerary on trips, this free route trip around Aomori is perfect for you. All you need to do is coordinate with customer service about where you want to go, and they will recommend the best itinerary to help you make a bang for your buck. You'll be accompanied by a senior driver who has expert knowledge of the local area.

One thing you shouldn't pass on is a visit to Hirosaki Castle, where dreamlike rows of cherry blossoms reflect on the petal-filled moats. At night, you can enjoy the way lights hit the three-story castle tower and the tunnel of cherry trees.

Yet another hot spot for cherry blossom viewing, Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi has a tunnel of about 1,000 blooming trees. If you time your visit right, you may even witness the Satte cherry blossom festival, which is held from the end of March to the beginning of April at the park.

The tour will also bring you to Kawagoe, a town where you can discover Japanese culture and history from the Edo and Showa periods. Finally, there's nothing like capping the day off with a little retail therapy at Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma, one of the largest outlet malls in the Kanto area.

The must-see Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Kawazuzakura Matsuri) is held yearly from early February to mid-March to celebrate the blossoming of the Kawazu Cherry Trees. This unique variety of Sakura is known to flower earlier than others, allowing visitors to experience its beauty for a longer timeframe. They're also pinker in colour, which makes for a lovely contrast against seasonal rapeseed flowers.

You'll also visit Shuzenji Temple at this tour, where you can make a wish at the Lovers Bridge and take a breather in the bamboo forest. For a relaxing finale, take a dip at the Izu Shuzenji Takitei Hot Spring Hotel, a two-star Michelin attraction at the temple.

The warm weather, pretty pink flowers in full bloom, and spring festivals create a unique atmosphere that makes you want to embrace Japanese culture—and extend your trip! Even off-season cherry blossom viewing tours can be a spectacular time. You should defo book those tickets ASAP!