Japan at Cherry Blossom Time – Ross Garden Tours Asian Collection

Japan at Cherry Blossom Time – Ross Garden Tours Asian Collection

4/04/2009 – 16/04/2009
Fully escorted throughout

Please note our years of experience means that our tours are timed to exactly coincide with the peak times for Gardens and Flowers around the world and so if you have missed this years tour – you can still contact us to ensure you have all the information possible for our next tour – simply CLICK HERE

Day 1 Saturday, 4 April 2009

Tokyo – Kyoto (D)

Arrive Tokyo and transfer by bullet train to Kyoto, former imperial capital of Japan. Check in to your hotel overlooking Kyoto in the setting of a Japanese garden. Remainder of afternoon free to relax & recover from your flight. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight at nearby Junsei Japanese Restaurant.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako, Kyoto

Day 2 Sunday, 5 April 2009

Kyoto (B/L)

Stroll the Philosopher’s Path this morning with hundreds of Cherry trees in full bloom above and the rushing snow-melt waters of the Shirakawa River below. Three rows of cherries line this famous walk. Next visit the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple) a famous temple and Zen garden. This serene garden features ancient pines, ginkoes, maples and camellias. At Hakusa Sonso participate in a traditional Tea Ceremony hosted by the wife of the famous artist Kansetsu Hashimoto who created this villa garden and museum. Lunch is included in these beautiful garden surroundings. Remainder of day at leisure.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako, Kyoto

Day 3 Monday, 6 April 2009

Kyoto (B)

Early morning visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) built in 1397. This three tiered pavilion glows with a covering of 18-carat gold leaf. Admire the perfect reflection on the broad Mirror Lake before it.

Ryoanji Temple is our next stop, renowned throughout the world as Japan’s finest example of a rock and sand garden (seki-taki). The outer area is planted with hundreds of exquisite flowering cherries and Japanese Cedars.

Early afternoon we visit Saihoji Temple and the famous Moss Garden. Created by Zen priest, Muso Soseki in 1339, it’s a quiet, sombre place with murmuring streams, stone groupings and velvety moss beneath the trees.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako, Kyoto

Day 4 Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Kyoto (B)

Visit to Nijo Castle, dating from 1603 and famous for its fortress-like interior and ingenious escape routes of the Tokugawa Shogun. The garden here, Ninomaru Garden, is planted with ancient pine trees and 430 Sakura cherry trees.

Return to Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama Mountains to wonder at the towering World Heritage listed Kiyomizu Temple built in 1631. The backdrop of wild cherries is dwarfed by the awesome timber structure containing the Main Hall.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako, Kyoto

Day 5 Wednesday, 8 April 2009

Kyoto (B)

This morning visit Heian Shrine, a uniquely designed combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture. Enter this strolling garden of the Meiji period filled with 300 weeping flowering cherries. Popular venue for wedding parties; you will see brides in exquisite bridal kimono.

The remainder of the day is at leisure in Kyoto. Try to spy a geisha at Gion.

Accommodation: Westin Miyako, Kyoto

Day 6 Thursday, 9 April 2009

Kyoto – Kanazawa (B)

An early start this morning, catch the express train north through Japan’s picturesque countryside, past Lake Biwa on to the university city of Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan.

After checking into our hotel stroll to the nearby Bukeyashiki or Samurai House district and the ancient home of the Nomura Family. This charming home wraps around a skilfully laid out garden in the Kobori Enshu style. Lanterns, stone towers, waterfalls, meandering stream and fabulous plant material makes this small place a garden design masterpice.

Accommodation: Excel Tokyu Hotel, Kanazawa

Day 7 Friday, 10 April 2009

Kanazawa (B)

Orientation tour of the city & visit Kenroku-en Gardens, famous for its mature conifer trees and channel gardens of water iris. Kenroku-en combines the six essential features of true gardens: vastness, symmetry, solemnity, coolness, antiquity and pleasure. Japan’s first water fountain can be seen here surrounded by flowering cherries. This is one of Graham Ross’ favourite gardens in the world.

Remainder of the day is free possibly to shop for beautiful Kutani porcelain.

Accommodation: Excel Tokyu Hotel, Kanazawa

Day 8 Saturday, 11 April 2009

Kanazawa – Awazu (B/D)

A very different experience commences today as we travel deep into the Japan Alps to visit Shirakawago Village nestled in a rural setting reminiscent of old Japan. Listed by UNESCO in 1995 a World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go is famous for its steeply thatch-roofed traditional farmhouses called Gasho Zukuri style from over 250 years ago. The architecture, horticulture and cuisine of the region will make this a unique experience of the tour. Overnight stay at a traditional Japanese Ryokan, including a sumptuous traditional Japanese dinner.

Accommodation: Roten-no-yu Kinkaku, Awazu

Day 9 Sunday, 12 April 2009

Awazu – Nikko (B/D)

An early start on an express train along the northern coastline of Honsu, catching glimpses of the Sea of Japan and fishing villages along the way. Later travel by coach to Nikko National Park. See lakes, Kegon Waterfall thundering 97m into its canyon and Ryuzu (Dragon Head) Cascade, a 300m long current created by the rapid flow of Yukawa River from Senjogogahara to Lake Chuzenji.

Early evening arrival at the historic, 136 year old Nikko Kanaya Hotel for two nights.

Dinner is a western style, silver service at your hotel tonight.

Accommodation: Hotel Kanaya, Nikko

Day 10 Monday, 13 April 2009

Nikko (B/D)

Sightseeing today includes a walking tour of the nearby Toshogu Shrine, built in 1542 with its ornate Yomeimon Gate and serene Futarasan Shrine. Rinnoji Temple is located on the avenue leading up to the shrine and contains three gigantic gilded wooden images of Buddha. Here Shintoism and Buddhism combine to commemorate the Taiyuin Mausoleum for Ieyasu, third in line of the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate Family. Hear the history behind this sacred region and its traditions.

See the giant cryptomerias over 1000 years old, the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge across the turbulent waters of the Daiya River, and giant bronze and stone lanterns all wrapped in a mountain mist. The entire site is World Heritage listed.

Afternoon at leisure. Walk around this quaint town, soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

Tonight enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Kanaya, Nikko

Day 11 Tuesday, 14 April 2009

Nikko – Tokyo (B)

Today our coach takes us to Tokyo, the capital, with stops to see the sacred way of ancient Cedar Trees. Visit Omiya Bonsai Village and see some of Japan’s finest Bonsai.

This afternoon we arrive at the luxurious New Otani Hotel, your accommodation for the next two nights. Stroll through beautiful gardens of the hotel.

Accommodation: New Otani Hotel, Tokyo

Day 12 Wednesday, 15 April 2009

Tokyo (B/D)

Rikugien Garden is your destination this morning, a strolling garden laid out in 1695 and restored in the 18th century. Once the residence of powerful Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, there are 88 stops around the lake, symbolic representations of classical Japanese literature. The rhythm achieved by alternating dark and bright zones, spacious and confined areas, sunlit groves and mysterious forests, produces virtually a musical effect. Azaleas and cherries finishing their spring floral displays as our holiday nears its end.

Later this morning we drive to visit Nezu Shrine, one of the famous Meiji Ten Shrines of Tokyo to see the 3000 azaleas in bloom.

The private farewell dinner tonight is held in one of the hotel’s garden restaurants.

Accommodation: New Otani Hotel, Tokyo

Day 13 Thursday, 16 April 2009

Tokyo – End of Tour (B)

After breakfast your tour ends. Arrangements will be made in accordance with your onward travel plans.

KEY: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Places on this tour are strictly limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

How to Book: