Planning Kansai Hanami April 2015

1st time in Kansai

Pls advise if itinerary route is ok? How to maximise the route to see the Cherry blossoms.

Planning to base in Kyoto & Osaka, not sure if should spent a night in kobe.

Flight: SQ Arrival 9.30pm

Rough Plan:

6 Apr - Kansai Airport Hotel
7 Apr - Kyoto
8 Apr - Kyoto
9 Apr - Kyoto
10 Apr - Kyoto
11 Apr - Kyoto, Day trip to Nara
12 Apr - Osaka, Day Trip to Himeij
13 Apr - Osaka
14 Apr - Osaka
15-Apr - Osaka, Day trip Yoshino
16 Apr - Osaka, Day trip Kobe
17- Apr - Osaka Night flight out 11.30pm

Thanks in advance !!

Too early and just depend on weather.
If warmer temp dates a lot during winter and until mid Mar
full blooming overed already most as lower level.

"Sakura front" coming from south(Okinawa) and warmer place
to North(Hokkaido)/Northern side(mountain back) and higher ground
up(across) Japan about 3 month usual.

Check blooming reports web early Mar starts.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html
will give you average the Cherry Blossoms timing.
It is so weather dependent, though.
I would not bother with changing accommodation to Kobe: it is an easy day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka.
Personally, I would check the schedule closer to your arrival time: there will be regular updates to this site with expected dates.
Himeji will be recently reopened after restoration and will be hugely popular: I would suggest 2 things: 1. dont go on a weekend, and 2. maybe go from Kyoto, earlier in the trip, if the forecast shows the blossoms would be better then.
Also, Nara is an easy day trip from Osaka as well, so to maximize your time in wonderful Kyoto maybe go to both Nara and Kobe from Osaka.
good luck!!

Guess will have to tweak my itinerary a little depending on the forecast.

For the Haruka Icoca package do I have to reserve it in advance or I could just purchase it when I am @ kansai airport. Also will it cover the train trip from kansai airport to shijo station? Any idea on the operating hours of the kansai airport counter to get this package.

I living in Kansai, and I think it is too late to full bloom.

You can buy Haruka Icoca package at JR Kansai Airport Station.
And there is no Shijo station at JR West.
You mean not Shijyo but Kyoto station?
From Kyoto station, if you will go around Kyoto, it is better to buy 1day ticket.

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruk...

One suggestion I forgot for Osaka: the Osaka Mint is opened for a few days only for Cherry Blossoms, and that os usually a bit later in the season: I think it will probably coincide with your times
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4008.html
Good luck and enjoy!