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2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast

2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast

An ultimate off-the-beaten-track tour of Japan in spring to view spectacular cherry blossoms along the Sea of Japan coast, packed full of unique immersive experiences, accommodation, traditional crafts and food.
We loved every day of our Sea of Japan Coast tour. New experiences, a variety of accommodation, fabulous food…..
– Susan Wood

Duration

14 days

Group size

Min 2

Max 8
ようこそ
welcome

Top Tour Highlights

Be immersed in gorgeous cherry blossoms in less crowded gardens and parks

You will view cherry blossoms in a variety of settings including Japan's top garden, Kenrokuen in Kanazawa

Marvel spectacular coastal views

Toyama Bay is a member of the UNESCO-endorsed “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club”

Explore Gokayama, UNESCO World Heritage site

You will discover the unique culture of village life deep in the mountains

Learn about woodcarving traditions

Admire the skills of sophisticated local artisans and even make your own piece in a workshop in Inami

Visit Eiheiji Zen monastery complex

Touch the spirituality at Japan's top zen monastery

Enjoy Tokyo and Kyoto

The tour also includes Japan's mega city Tokyo, and ancient capital Kyoto

ようこそ
welcome

Tour Overview

The 2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of the Sea of Japan Coast takes you on an exhilarating journey away from Japan’s busy metropolitan centers to the fascinating Hokuriku region. Separated from Tokyo and the eastern seaboard by the rugged Japanese Alps, Hokuriku offers a less-hurried pace and the chance to experience natural landscapes and old rural and sea-faring traditions less impacted by mass-tourism. 

This comprehensive 14-day small group tour takes you into Hokuriku’s heartland as you travel through Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama, the three prefectures hugging the central Sea of Japan coast. Along the way, you experience the region’s deep Buddhist roots, its mountain culture and distinctive thatched roof houses, its strong artisanal traditions, samurai history, its coastal towns and fresh seafood markets as well as the gorgeous cherry blossoms.

For those who like discovering the roads-less-travelled, this is a fabulous introduction to the raw beauty and rich traditions of the Sea of Japan Coast at magical cherry blossom time.

*From 2025 all our 8-member Small Group Tours will have guaranteed departure from 2 guests.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Welcome to Japan and your 2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of the Sea of Japan Coast! On arrival at one of Tokyo’s international airports, you’ll be met by a Journey to the East guide and escorted to your Tokyo hotel by airport bus or train.

Today is an arrival day and no group program is scheduled. Stretch your legs and explore the local neighbourhood around your hotel, such as Ginza and Tokyo Station. Let us know if you need any local tips.

*Many of our guests arrive a day or so early to settle in before the tour starts. Please contact us if you’d like us to arrange additional night’s accommodation.

Tokyo (Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi)
No meals
Day 2: Tokyo

Today you explore a residential suburb to get a sense of how Tokyoites live and socialise. Making the most of Tokyo’s ever-efficient transport system, you head to the lovely neighbourhood of Kichijoji. You walk its attractive side streets past local cafes and shops and head for the wooded expanse of Inokashira Park. The park attracts Tokyoites from across the city in spring for its stunning cherry blossoms. You will enjoy strolling the park, stop for coffee and lunch, brows cute local shops during some free time.

In the afternoon for a taste of Tokyo’s fashionable heart, you journey on to Shibuya. You head to the observation deck of Shibuya Sky Tower for spectacular views of Tokyo’s vast cityscape. Watch the crowds far below as they navigate Shibuya Scramble, Japan’s busiest intersection, and spot major landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Skytree, and on clear days Mt Fuji in the distance!

Returning to our hotel by subway, you relax over a welcome dinner at a local izakaya, a Japanese-style pub.

Tokyo (Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:Kyoto

You leave the big metropolis behind this morning and take a shinkansen (bullet train) to the ever popular old capital, Kyoto.

Established as capital in 794, Kyoto remains the cultural heart of Japan and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and a wealth of traditional craft boutiques, museums, galleries and restaurants.

You have an afternoon guided tour of Kyoto focusing on hidden treasures away from the crowded tourist spots. Hopefully you will see gorgeous cherry blossoms against elegant temples and gardens, typical of Kyoto. In the evening, you gather for a relaxed dinner in the city’s heart. The streets are beautifully illuminated at night highlighting cherry trees during the spring season.

Kyoto (The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Kyoto

This morning you will embark on a guided walking tour of the backstreets of Gion in Kyoto. Your guide will point out interesting sites on the streets and explain about their historic and cultural background. You will stop for a typical morning tea/coffee break of Kyoto, then finish the tour with lunch at a small local restaurant.

This afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this fascinating old capital at your own pace. Kyoto has great shopping for Japanese art and craft, beautiful parks and gardens with cherry blossoms, museums and art galleries. Please ask our friendly team for suggestions and recommendations.

Kyoto (The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo)
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Echizen and Eiheiji

Leaving Kyoto by express train, you will arrive in Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. The first stop is the region of Echizen, where the tradition of forging swords, knives and farming tools has continued for some 700 years. In the 1970s, artisans from the area gathered to decide how to revitalise a declining industry impacted by agricultural mechanization and stainless steel knives. Echizen knives are now sold around the world and recognised on Japan’s traditional crafts register. You tour one of the progressive knife manufacturers in the area as artisans expertly forge metal into bladed implements using traditional methods.

In the afternoon, you stop at the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruin. Once the base of the powerful Asakura clan, the Ichijodani area thrived as a cultural, military and commercial center until it was destroyed by the great feudal lord, Oda Nobunaga, in 1573. Four hundred years later, the site was discovered and excavations began in 1967. Here you can enter the homes of samurai, merchants and craftsmen, several of which are fully furnished and feature lifelike mannequins offering a glimpse into lifestyles of the time.

Finally you arrive at the beautiful hillside temple of Eiheiji (Temple of Eternal Peace), where you overnight at its shukubo lodging. This large Zen Buddhist temple and monastery was founded in 1244 by the prominent priest Dogen Zenji and belongs to the Soto School, Japan’s largest Zen Buddhist sect. Tonight you will sample shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian fare) for dinner. The temple stay offers a very unique opportunity to experience Zen culture in a historic setting and welcoming environment.

Eiheiji (Hakujukan)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Tojinbo and Kanazawa

For those interested, get up at dawn to attend the morning prayer service where Eiheiji’s monks gather for the first prayers of the day. After breakfast at your accommodation, your guide will take you through a guided tour of Eiheiji. You wander its forested paths and covered walkways, experience the spiritual side of this region and Fukui's long and deep Buddhist roots.

Travelling by private transport, our next stop is Tojinbo where you take a cruise to view the unusual rock formations from the ocean. A spectacular natural landmark in Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, the rock formations have been sculpted by wind and wave over millions of years to form rugged honeycomb-shaped columns.

In the late afternoon, you arrive at Kanazawa, located on the Sea of Japan coast in Ishikawa Prefecture. With its lineage as a wealthy castle town steeped in samurai culture, Kanazawa offers an impressive list of architectural and cultural sites. After resting at your hotel, your guide will give you an orientation around the hotel before dinner. You stay here for three nights, giving you a chance mid-trip to enjoy a slower pace and do some of your own exploring.

Kanazawa (Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Kanazawa

Kanazawa is home to Kenrokuen Garden, a castle garden dating back to the 17th century, regarded as one of three great gardens of Japan. After touring this sublime garden and admiring some of its ancient cherry trees we head to nearby Kanazawa Castle Park to view the remains of castle embattlements from feudal times.

Samurai warriors were required to regularly engage in Zen Buddhist practice as part of their training and the tea ceremony formed a key part of this discipline. Today you participate in a formal tea ceremony delivered by a master practitioner and learn about the philosophy and rituals of this ancient tradition.

While you are in Kanazawa, you will also visit a pottery kiln. The kiln was founded in 1870, and has produced the local Kutani style of pottery. You will have a guided tour of the studio and have a chance to see magnificent works of this most awarded kiln.

Tonight’s dinner is teppanyaki – tender wagyu-beef and vegetables grilled to perfection on a hot plate.

Kanazawa (Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Kanazawa

Your learning of samurai culture continues this morning. You visit the Nagamachi district, the old part of Kanazawa where daimyo lords once resided. Its winding old streets are full of beautiful villas and gardens nestled behind traditional plaster-covered walls.

The next stop is Omi-cho Market, a lively working market full of fishmongers and eateries. It is called "the Kitchen of Kanazawa residents" and a great place to learn the life of local people.

Kanazawa is well-known for its gold leaf crafts producing over 90% of the country's supply. This morning you will visit one of the companies which produces gold leaf in Kanazawa and learn more about this local craft.

You have the afternoon and evening free to explore the city. Wander Kanazawa’s backstreets, discovering galleries and shops offering all sorts of exquisite ceramics, gilded lacquerware, local sake and traditional foods. Your guide is happy to give you information based on your interests.

Kanazawa (Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel)
Breakfast
Day 9: Gokayama and Inami

Leaving Kanazawa, it's on to your last destination along the captivating Sea of Japan coast – Toyama Prefecture. The first stop here is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gokoyama where you spend the morning exploring this enchanting high-mountain village with its thatched-roof farmhouses. Some of the farmhouses, with their steeply slanted roofs built to withstand heavy snowfalls, are open to the public and you take a look inside to learn about their history, construction and ongoing preservation efforts.

The next one and half days is dedicated to exploring the traditional woodworking town of Inami in Toyama’s countryside. While there are other Japanese towns known for their woodcraft traditions, Inami is justifiably known as Japan’s best. Its high level of craftsmanship is officially recognised as “Japan Heritage” designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and its master craftsmen are regularly dispatched across Japan to help in the renovation of traditional buildings. This afternoon you do a hands-on craft workshop, fashioning a small dish or spoon out of wood, guided by an Inami master artisan. This session provides an opportunity to chat with local folk in a relaxed studio setting and gain some insights into their work and lives as well.

Reflecting our focus today, you stay at Bed and Craft, which has progressively renovated the town’s old buildings as lovely boutique villas. Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant, prepared from fresh, seasonal produce from surrounding farms. A very special day spent exploring the local!

Inami (Bed and Craft)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Toyama

You will have a relaxed morning today enjoying your wonderful accommodation, and atmospheric town of Inami. Inami’s picturesque Yokamachi Street is lined with woodcarving studios, where artisans can be seen at work. We visit Inami’s museum which displays over 200 crafted pieces, including the ornate transom panels that sit above Japanese sliding doors. The town’s Zuisenji Temple represents the pinnacle of Inami craftmanship and we visit this grand temple to appreciate the beautiful woodwork on its main hall and Sanmon gate.

After lunch, you leave Inami and head to Toyama City, the centre of Toyama Prefecture. It is a lovely regional city with much green space and relaxed amenities. Your hotel is very centrally located, perfect for a stroll.

In the evening you will have a dinner at a relaxed local restaurant.

Toyama (Hotel JAL City Toyama)
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Toyama

Toyama is where Japanese traditional and modern pharmaceutical industries have thrived. For a slice of local history, you stop by an old medicine shop specialising in traditional medicines this afternoon. Remarkably, some of the traditional medicinal herbs first sold centuries ago in Japan are still available.

After visiting some more attractions of Toyama City, this afternoon and evening is free for you to explore this pleasant regional city at your own pace. There are numerous art and craft museums, local parks and gardens, and great modern shopping, too. Ask us for your sightseeing and meal recommendations.

Toyama (Hotel JAL City Toyama)
Breakfast
Day 12: Unazuki Onsen

This morning you take a cruise through a stunning tunnel of cherry blossoms on the Matsukawa River, before journeying on to Toyama Bay. The bay is a member of the UNESCO-endorsed “Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club” and it’s easy to see why – the towering snow-capped Northern Alps provide a dramatic backdrop to the coast and its pine trees. The view has inspired Japanese poets and writers for centuries.
The bay is one of the country’s best places to enjoy fresh seafood and you have the unique opportunity today to witness a fresh seafood auction at Shinminato Kitokito Market – yellowtail, crab and firefly squid are especially highly prized. Afterwards you sit down for a sushi lunch, perhaps the freshest you’ve ever had and caught from the bay in front of you!

This afternoon you stop to enjoy a unique local landmark, only possible at this time of year. Known locally as the “Spring Quartet”, contrasting rows of rapeseed and tulips sit alongside cherry blossoms lining the Funakawa River, with the dramatic snow-capped Northern Alps in the background.

Tonight accommodation is an authentic onsen ryokan inn in the hot spring town of Unazuki, nestled in the foothills of magnificent Kurobe Gorge. Unwind in your first natural hot spring bath of the trip, enjoy the simple elegance of a tatami-mat room and feast on a delicious kaiseki multi-course meal. Bliss!

Unazuki Onsen (Enraku)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Back to Tokyo

After splendid Japanese style breakfast at your ryokan, you will finally leave the Sea of Japan Coast by shinkansen and head back to Tokyo. After arriving, you have free time until the final group dinner. You may like to do the last minute shopping, or visit a few of the endless list of interesting sites in Tokyo. Please ask our friendly team for suggestions and directions.

Tonight you will gather one last time for a "farewell Japan" dinner with your fellow travellers and relive best memories of your Japan adventure.

Tokyo (Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi)
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Goodbye in Tokyo

You check out of your hotel after breakfast and your 2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of the Sea of Japan Coast concludes.

You can take an airport express train or limousine bus to Narita or Haneda International Airport for your departure. If you’d like to linger in Japan a little longer, we would be delighted to plan your personal post-tour extension to show you a different part of Japan. Please see our Model Extension Itineraries on Private Tour page for inspiration.

Note: The cost of an escorted transfer to your departure airport is not included in our Small Group Tours as we found many guests choose to stay in Japan a bit longer. However, we would be happy to arrange your transfer to your next destination or your departing airport. Please see our FAQ for more details.

Breakfast

Dates & Prices

2025 Crafts and Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast

Per person twin share:

Single supplement

Inclusions

Each guest is personally looked after with one-on-one interactions with our hand-picked, expert tour guides. As part of your investment, this tour includes:

  • First-class wisdom and higher standard of individual care and attention
  • 13 nights’ accommodation (including traditional Japanese inns)
  • All breakfasts
  • 8 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • Airport meet & greet on arrival
  • Hotel transfer by public transport on arrival
  • All local transport (train, bus and private minivans)
  • Pre-loaded transport IC card
  • Expert English speaking tour guides (locally licensed)
  • Cultural activities and entry fees included in itinerary
  • Luggage transfers (1 piece per person)

DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, this tour does not include the costs of international and domestic airfares, transfers on the last day, travel insurance, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, transport during free time, personal expenses (laundry, internet, telephone, coin lockers etc.) and Visa (if required).

Who this Japan tour is for...

This is a perfect tour for people who:

  • Want to visit off-the-beaten-path locations of Japan at cherry blossom time
  • Are interested in Japanese art and craft, culture, religion and history 
  • Enjoy the guidance of professional tour guides as well as some free time
  • Like extra small group tours designed with healthy 55+ travelers in mind
  • Become up-close and interact with locals through public transport
  • Experience a variety in style, and typically 4+ star boutique accommodation with private bathroom including some traditional ryokan

Reviews

If you are looking for a tour to Japan in Cherry Blossom Time I think an excellent choice is this tour for variety of experience, comfortable travel, exposure to Japanese culture, and confidence in your tour guides with excellent English language ability and knowledge of their country.

5/5
Trip date: April 2024

Jennifer Pirie

NSW, Australia

I would recommend a Journey to the East tour for anyone looking for small group travel with a bit of something different to the mainstream packaged tours. We were so well looked after, nothing was too much trouble. Ellie and Nats were very intelligent, highly experienced and a load of fun as well. My favourite evening was the yakitori in Kyoto. Sincere thanks for one of my trips of a lifetime.

5/5
Trip date: April 2024

Lauretta Lewis

Brisbane, QLD

We loved every day of our Cherry Blossom Tour of Sea of Japan Coast. New experiences, a variety of accommodation, fabulous food.
We hope that one day we might go on a third Journey to the East tour.

5/5
Trip date: April 2024

Susan Wood

NSW, Australia

A unique, informative and very enjoyable introduction to the delights of Japan.

5/5
Trip date: April 2024

Jeanette Choppin

NWS, Australia

Have a question about this tour? Get in touch with our staff directly.