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London, United Kingdom
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Tokyo, Japan
Cherry blossoms
👉 Good strategy: On 20 March, head to quieter riverside spots and gardens early in the day — many trees will be at their most photogenic even before full bloom
- [ ] Yoyogi park - touristy
- [ ] Meguro river
* Zenpukuji River - not touristy at all
Blossom walks with food
🌸 Morning: Coffee + Garden Stroll
📍 Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
09:00 – Coffee
Start in Tokyo’s craft coffee neighbourhood. Small independent cafés open early and it’s peaceful.
10:00 – Garden Walk
Head to Kiyosumi Garden
• Traditional landscaped garden
• Early-blooming cherry trees
• Stepping stones, ponds, very calm atmosphere
Perfect gentle start before the city wakes up.
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🌊 Late Morning: Riverside Sakura Walk
📍 Sumida River
Walk along the river paths toward Asakusa.
• Wide open skies
• Sakura trees lining the banks
• Views of Tokyo Skytree
Around 20 March you’ll likely see first blossoms starting to open — especially in sunnier spots.
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Mt. Mitsutoge, Japan
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Tokyo, Japan
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Hakuba, Japan
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Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa
-food in the area
Some of the best fish in Japan
-there are gardens, castle and museums. Also a chilled place to walk with less touristy areas
-traditional geisha tea houses, cute cosy cafes
Ōmichō Market -fish market
Jibuni – duck stew, very Kanazawa
• Kanazawa curry (thick, dark, comfort food)
• Gold-leaf desserts (yes, really
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Kyoto, Japan
Nearby night blossom spots
Nijō Castle night-time cherry blossoms
At Nijō Castle in Kyoto, the cherry blossom season is celebrated with a special evening illumination event where the castle grounds open at night so visitors can see the sakura lit up. 🌸
If you’re visiting Kyoto for sakura at night, people often combine Nijō with:
• Maruyama Park – famous illuminated weeping cherry tree
• Kiyomizu-dera – temple illumination with cherry blossoms
• Philosopher’s Path – beautiful daytime blossom walk
Kyoto 3 days
Food
James recomendation-wagyu ramen syomon
http://syomon.jp/
To do
1) Silva pavilion
2) Philosophers path
12 min walk 1-2
1 hour walk to 3
3) Gion District
4) Fushimi Inari – arrive early – furthest out of all attractions
5) Downtown Kyoto
3-5 20 min walk
6) Bamboo grove – far out
7) Tenryu-ji temple garden
8) Togetsukyo bridge
1. Nijo Castle by night Sakura Festival
6-7-8 close all walking distance
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Hiroshima, Japan
Miyajima – up early to climb mountain (Mt Misen)
Boat to see the floating gate - recommended by sushi lady
Things to do:
• Walk along the waterfront
• See the free-roaming Sika Deer
• Take the ropeway up Mount Misen for views over the Inland Sea
⭐ Best visited late afternoon into sunset
Foods - HIROSHIMA OKONOMIYAKI
- Anago (sea eel) rice bowls (especially popular around Miyajima/Hiroshima
- Miyajima’s most famous sweet: Maple-leaf–shaped sponge cake
- Hiroshima is Japan’s oyster capital
- okonomiyiyaki making next to Hiroshima station
- One of Japan’s top Sake towns (Saijo)
- Hiroshima peace memorial park/Bomb dome/ Children’s peace mountain/museum
- Floating torii gate – can be seen form here and MJ
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Okayama, Japan
An see everything in 1 day - small city
✅ Simple quiet itinerary
Morning
• Handayama Botanical Garden 🌸
Midday
• Walk Nishikawa Canal
• Lunch locally
Afternoon
• Asahi River sakura walk
Evening
• Korakuen Garden near sunset
🍑 Food to try in Okayama
• White peaches (Okayama is famous for them)
• Muscat grapes
• Demi-glace katsu (demi-katsu) – pork cutlet with rich sauce
• Barazushi – Okayama-style sushi
🏯 2. Okayama Castle
🌿 5. Handayama Botanical Garden
A hillside botanical garden overlooking the city
🌸 1. Okayama Korakuen Garden
One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, dating back over 300 years from the Edo period. Yea houses, ponds and cherry blossoms
If you want the least touristy but still stunning cherry blossoms in Okayama, the best spot is:
🌸 Asahikawa Sakura Road
This is a long riverside stretch of cherry trees along the Asahi River, but most visitors only stay near the castle and garden entrance. If you walk north or south away from the main bridge, it becomes incredibly peaceful.
Why it’s the best choice
• Hundreds of cherry trees lining the river 🌸
• Wide views of water and mountains in the distance
• Mostly locals having picnics or cycling
• Far fewer tour groups than the castle or Korakuen
• Beautiful reflections of blossoms in the river
In early April, the blossoms often form a soft pink canopy over the path.
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka
Less touristy stuff
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🏮 Shinsekai (beyond the main strip)
- [ ] Nakazakicho
- [ ] Sumiyoshi Taisha - Much quieter than central temples. The arched Taiko Bridge is beautiful, especially in soft morning light. Feels peaceful and very traditional
- [ ] Nakanoshima- Walk or rent a bike along the river between office workers on lunch breaks. Visit the small rose garden in season. Calm, modern Osaka vibe
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- [ ] Local Food Experiences (Less Instagram, More Real)
- [ ] • Stand-up soba shops near train stations
- [ ] • Tiny okonomiyaki counters with 6–8 seats
- [ ] • Tachinomiya (standing bars) around Tenma
- [ ] • Kushikatsu spots where locals dip once and don’t double dip
Osaka cuisine - more street food vibes
🐙 Takoyaki - octopus balls
🥞 Okonomiyaki (Osaka-style)
Kushikatsu
Deep-fried skewers (meat, veg, seafood) dipped in a communal sauce — no double dipping!
Traditionally associated with:
• Shinsekai
It’s working-class, nostalgic Osaka
🥩 Yakiniku
While not exclusive to Osaka, the city has a strong grilled-meat culture, especially in Korean-influenced neighbourhoods like Tsuruhashi
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London, United Kingdom