Japan in mid April (18 days)

Hi

My husband and I will be in Japan for 18 nights.

We are planning to arrive on 18th April Morning.
18th April - Arrival in Tokyo , As right now I am not sure about the time if it�fs in morning we will head straight to Fuji 5 lakes and spend night in Kawaguchiko and if it�fs evening spend a night in Tokyo. And next day to Fuji.

19th April- Fuji, night at Lake Kawaguchiko.

I was hoping to catch some Sakura around Fuji, if Sakura blooming is at normal time period. Is it worth spending 2 nights or a night in this area or a day trip from Tokyo makes more sense?

20th April- 21st April- 22nd April- Japanese Alps. Right now I don�ft know which place would be most convenient to reach from there. And how should I plan my itinerary for 3 days in there. Places I have hear about. .Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Tateyama- Kurobe Alpine route, Kanazawa,Shirakawa Go. But right now I don�ft know what to see and what to miss in 3 days.

23rd April , 24th April- Move to Tohoku region for Cherry Blossom . Are there any direct connections between Alps and Tohoku region?? Or do we have to go via Tokyo.

Where to base ourselves in the region. What are the best places to see Cherry blossoms there? I have heard about Hirosaki castle.

25th to 30th April- Kyoto ( day trips- Nara, Mijayima/ Hiroshima, Himeji, is it possible to see Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Gardens as day trip)

1st May to 5th May- Tokyo( with day trip to any of these Hitachi seaside park, Hitsujiyama park, Ashikaga)

I know about the Golden week but I am ok with that. I will book accommodation as soon as possible.

6th May Back to London.

Will it make more sense to go to Tohoku first from Fuji then move to Alps then Kyoto and Tokyo?But I think Tohoku doesn�ft blossom until around 24th March.

Any suggestions welcome .
How to make most of our time in Japan. And if you have to visit all these places. In what order we should do it and how many days at each place please, so we won�ft waste time running around and economical also. I am not sure about the passes we can use to make it more economical. Would really appreciate any suggestions.

Do you think Cherry Blossoms are better in Kansai or Tohoku? I initially planned to come around 30th March to 14th April but coming later will give me extra 3 days extra holidays (2 for Easter and 1 bank holiday).
Thank you all.

First off, have you already looked at the following page for places and timing?
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html
Also if you haven't used it yet, familiarize yourself with www.hyperdia.com to find the best rail schedules, transfer info and fares. You'll easily find that if you want to go to the Tohoku area, you don't need to return to Tokyo - you can go via Saitama north of it.
As for what cherry blossoms are "better", it depends on your criteria. But you'll have a better experience if you see them in less crowded places like the Tohoku area unless you really want to see them in Tokyo and "enjoy" them like this:
https://imgur.com/V7xJXfa
Honestly, I think you are overdoing it in some places. If you are already going to see the wisteria at the Ashikaga Flower Park, there is no need to take an excruciating day trip to also see them at the Fuji Kawachien in Kitakyushu. There are other places to enjoy the flowers since that appears to be your interest. The Showa Kinen Park near Tokyo is very nice. In Toyama, you might be able to catch the annual tulip festival.
http://fair.tulipfair.or.jp/en/
Plus in Nagano is the Alps Azumi no Koen.
https://youtu.be/hLMCxLRLnow
In Mie, there is also the Nabana no Sato.
https://is.gd/czu2Ib

And you should not ignore the many gardens in Tokyo - some go back centuries. Your timing will be perfect to see the "secret" garden at the popular Sensoji Temple+Nakamise St that every first-timer in Tokyo rushes to. The garden is very tranquil and without the crowds, since almost nobody knows about it - it's only open a couple months a year.
https://youtu.be/b8Q5dcNWZqg
There are many others - Koishikawa Korakuen, Kiyosumi, Rikugien, Hama Rikyu, Kyu-Shiba Rikyu, etc.
https://goo.gl/tAECfM
You'll be delighted to find more as you head south as well - Himeji not only has the most famous original surviving castle, but the Kokoen Garden nearby is no less magnificent.
https://goo.gl/65ZtRi
Get the combo ticket for both and one is virtually free.
Hiroshima City also has some jewels - it is far, far more than just a city that got A-bombed. The Shukkeien Garden is one of the finest of the area, and if you want to see the hidden jewel of the city, go see the Mitakidera Temple - it's beauty and peacefulness is astonishing - and nearly completely unknown to the tourist guidebook "experts".
https://goo.gl/fAz4ax
In addition to Miyajima being a very nice cherry blossom spot, don't skip Iwakuni as well just a bit farther south. Huge crowds will rush to Miyajima, but at Iwakuni you can actually see more blossoms than people.
https://goo.gl/NNQVrV

Since the cherry blossoms come out later farther north, seeing them later in your trip makes more sense. You'll also be in the right season to see the azaleas, so don't skip those either.

WOW .. Thanks that�fs some very interesting information and Thank you for the links.Yes I do love flowers and quaint charming villages and traditional things .
For 18 days what order do you think we should travel?
We can either fly in to both Tokyo and Osaka if that is economical and less backtracking.
Alps - 4 days, Tohoku- 4 days, Kyoto- 5 days, Tokyo-5 days..
Is staying a night in Mt. Fuji make sense to catch Cherry blossoms on the day of our arrival.
Or do you think spending time in Kyoto first is a good idea. . Please advise.

There is a roll of the dice here. Nobody knows accurately when the blossoms will come until about a month before they do. I suggest you keep your eyes on the forecast sites from around mid-February and check back from time to time.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/sakura/eng/index.php
https://s.n-kishou.co.jp/w/sp/sakura/sakura_top.html
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/
If you can get the same fare flying open jaw compared with having to return to Tokyo, then you can save some time and money that way. Although it complicates making a rail pass pay off. You might want to fly into the Kansai or further south first and move northwards, see the Tohoku area last and then leave Japan from Tokyo.

Thank you.
Rough itinerary looks like. Fly into Osaka, Travel to Kyoto( 5 or 6 nights in Kyoto) with day trips to Himeji, Nara and Hiroshima/Miyajima.
Kyoto to Kanazawa- (4 or 5 days) explore Kanazawa, Shirakawa Go. Is it possible to explore them in same day. Next day Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine route(whole day)back to Kanazawa or stay in the area or move to Matsumoto same evening?. Moving to Matsumoto . Explore Matsumoto and Kamikōchi. Again can both be done in a day? Is Takayama worth going too. I was thinking one day for Nagano Prefecture (Hakuba or Achi)
Moving to Tohoku (3 or 4 days)stay overnight in Aomori and Morioka to visit peak sakura in Hirosaki Castle park and Kakunodate respectively . Where do you think I should base myself and other not to be missed Sakura spots .
Head to Tokyo for remaining days ( with side trips to Hitachi, Ashikaga) .
I can do day trip to Mt Fuji from Tokyo for Shibazakura festival. Is Hitsujiyama and Mt Fuji Shibazakura festival same?If not which one is better. I think there is one at Motosuko too.
Please advise where should I subtract or add one day? I have 18 nights in total.
Also with our travel itinerary will buying JR pass make sense or you suggest local passes. Will renting a car will be good idea in Alps and Tohoku? My partner will get international DL. It�fs left hand driving similar Like here in England. We have driven all over Europe.
Right now I am Not sure how much a car rental cost? And best place to rent them and if language will be an issue.
Thanks as always.

Sorry I have one more question. We should be in Tohoku around 27th April. Will I be able to see Sakura in full bloom around that time.. last few years reports suggests full bloom around 22 nd or 24th April. Thanks again.