2 week itineary april 2018

Hi,

I am visiting 9-23 April, arriving on evening of 10th and departing early 23rd really but an almost solid two weeks. It will be my first visit so I have tried to plan this on a basis of recommended places to visit. I will buy a JR pass. I am hoping to catch the cherry blossoms but since I wanted to be home for my mums birthday and be back for mine these are my booked dates so if I miss them then lets hope for another year. Anyway, this is what I have planned so far!


10 - 14/15 April: Tokyo - visit Asakusa, Sengakuji Temple, Zojoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Yasakuni Shrine, a day trip to Kamakura, maybe if I can fit in a day trip to Mt. Fuji
15 - 19/20 April: Kyoto - I will do day trips to Mount Koya and Nara(Todai-ji Temple); so far I haven't managed to decide what I will do/visit in Kyoto as I am a bit overwhelmed by how many places there are to go to.
20-22/23 April: Osaka - I am planning a day trip to Hiroshima from here, and I am once again unsure of where I want to visit or what I want to do when I am there.

I am arriving at Haneda and departing from Kansai.

If anyone could suggest anything, that I should do/prioritise/take off, please feel free to do so! I want to make the best I can out of this trip.

I am visiting 9-23 April, arriving on evening of 10th and departing early 23rd really but an almost solid two weeks.

I am arriving at Haneda and departing from Kansai.

Good way of question. I hope all question should be like this!

In normal year, the peak days for Someiyoshino (the most popular cherry blossom) in Tokyo, Kyoto and surrounding area is early April (April 1st to 5th). So your itinerary seems to be a little bit late for the full bloom Someiyoshino in these areas. But some colder places like Kawaguchiko, Nagano etc have later period like 10th April to 15th April. Further there are late-blooming types of cherries, such as those in The Japan Mint in Osaka,

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4008.html

Heian shrine and Haradani-en in Kyoto,

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3951.html

and Mount Yoshino in Nara prefecture.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3951.html

One bright side of your itinerary is that the peak tourism season will be gone and you can find more affordable accommodations, especially in Kansai region where the room rate of the "peak days" are very expensive.

Thank you very much!

If I take a side trip further North from Tokyo will I be able to catch some later blooms there (as I assume it's colder up north)?

If I take a side trip further North from Tokyo will I be able to catch some later blooms there (as I assume it's colder up north)?

Yes, of course.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura15/150416_sendai.html