Japan is gorgeous all year round, but it truly sings in springtime. This is when the iconic cherry blossoms, or “sakura”, blanket the landscape in dreamy hues of pink and white, while ornate gardens bloom and spring cuisine flourishes. It’s also a wonderful time to experience Japan’s unique cultural practices, with vibrant festivals celebrating revival and renewal. We delve deeper into all the reasons why spring is the best time to visit Japan and what you can experience on a spring trip to Japan.

Experience it: Majestic Japan

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The Sakura season

Seeing the mesmerising cherry blossom season in Japan is one of the ultimate bucket list experiences. Usually occurring from late March to early May, the cherry blossoms bloom in waves, starting from the southern region and progressing northwards. 

Cities, parks, and temples are blanketed with stunning soft pink and white blossoms and you can’t help but take part in the “hanami” (flower viewing) tradition of enjoying the beauty of the blossoming trees. You’ll even see nighttime illuminations, known as “yozakura”, offering a unique and enchanting perspective on these gorgeous blossoms.

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When you visit Japan with Luxury Gold, you’ll meet a specialised cherry blossom tree doctor at Hirosaki Castle. These doctors ensure that each tree, from saplings to mature trees, is healthy and thriving. You’ll learn all about their meticulous care for these trees while admiring the blossoms around the castle.

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Ideal weather and natural landscapes

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Springtime in Japan brings mild temperatures and blue skies, making it ideal for exploring the country’s beautiful natural landscapes, from the mountains and national parks to zen gardens. 

When you visit Japan on our Majestic Japan luxury tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to soak up the glorious spring weather and nature. We’ll board the bullet train to Mishima for breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and then admire its reflection in Lake Kawaguchi. You can also choose to get a more spectacular view of Mount Fuji and the lake by riding the thrilling Kachi-Kachi Ropeway cable car. Or explore the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum where you can wander through the peaceful gardens and marvel at the architecture and kimono collection. 

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If you want to get closer to the water, we’ll take a private cruise on Matsushima Bay in Sendai. Soak up the views of the pine-clad islets of the bay, and hear about the countless haikus poets have written after being inspired by the bay, said to be a place of love and wonder.

You’ll also have the chance to delve deeper into Japan’s nature at Oirase Gorge, a wonderland of waterfalls, lush forest, and crystal-clear streams. Enjoy a walk along the bubbling river in Hachimantai National Park then sink into a soothing Onsen bath surrounded by the forest – the perfect springtime activity. You’ll then have the rare opportunity to meet sake brewmaster Takumi Sato for a private VIP tasting and brewery tour. Learn about the essence of sake and shared some of this sacred drink in the beautiful surroundings of Oirase. 

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Unique festivals and cultural customs

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Spring holds deep cultural significance in Japan as it represents renewal and new beginnings. The season is teeming with vibrant festivals, such as the remarkable Takayama Festival in the Gifu prefecture. You’ll see colourful parades with intricately adorned floats, lively puppet shows, and traditional music and dance performances.

When you visit Japan with Luxury Gold, you’ll see the Sensō-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. If you’re visiting in mid-April, you may be lucky enough to witness Shirasagi-no Mai, or the Dance of the White Heron, a large spring festival that takes place at the temple. The festival dates back to the 8th century during the Heian period and involves a procession of dancers dressed in elaborate white heron costumes and makeup, accompanied by a group of guardians and floats with musicians. It’s an incredible performance and unmissable if you visit Japan in April. 

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Spring is also one of the best times to get an insight into Japan’s sacred tea culture. Spring is the time of shincha (new tea) and the tea fields are green and lush. We’ll head to Sendai on Honshu island, where you’ll witness a tea ceremony at a traditional tea house. You’ll also learn the ancient art of making the perfect matcha green tea, and enjoy a warming brew of fresh tea. 

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Fresh spring cuisine

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Springtime isn’t just about the blooms and views – it also brings an array of culinary delights. You can find Sakura-flavored treats such as mochi, and enjoy the fresh flavors of “takenoko” (bamboo shoots) and “sansai” (mountain vegetables) in your dishes. In Sendai, we’ll meet the owner of a local inn for a fresh seafood lunch, while in Hiroshima, you can savor the local delicacy of Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake dish. 

In Tokyo, take part in a private sushi-making class to learn this 2,000-year-old art from a master sushi chef and indulge in a mouthwatering lunch afterwards. And discover Osaka’s Donburi Street on a stroll with a Local Expert. Taste the local specialities such as Takoyaki (octopus wrapped in batter) and find out what this city is renowned as the kitchen of Japan. 

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Discover all this and more, such as a private Geisha performance and a stay at the remarkable Hotel Granvia Kyoto, on our Majestic Japan luxury tour.

Tokyo, Mount Fuji, the waterfalls of Oirase. Japan is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, where modernity and tradition sit side by side. If you are looking for your next journey of a lifetime, discover the delights that await on our Majestic Japan luxury tour.

Majestic Japan

We invite you to take the journey of a lifetime to Japan. See the majesty, curated for you with our 11-day Majestic Japan luxury guided tour. Explore Osaka and learn the delicate art of sushi making with a masterchef in Tokyo. Admire the geishas and Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Among the waterfalls and forests of Oirase, a rare invitation from a Sake brew master will share the secrets of his trade.

Ride the Bullet Train and cruise the sublime waters of Matsushima Bay. On a poignant visit to Hiroshima, meet with a survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb that changed the course of world history. From dramatic skylines to mountain views, stay in magnificent hotels and embark on the most tantalizing culinary journey you have ever experienced.

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Meet a Saki brewmaster in Oirase

Oirase Gorge boasts some of the most picturesque surroundings you will have the delight to ever experience. The picturesque river valley in Northern Japan runs for 14km between Yakeyama and Nenokuchi, on the shore of Towada-ko (Lake Towada). Drawing visitors from far and wide, Oirase is one of Japan’s most-revered nature havens.

With an exclusive VIP invitation, meet a master brewer and discover the magic of sake. On a special guided brewery tour, learn the history and importance of this unique drink to Japanese culture. Entwined with many of the country’s traditions and customs, sake is inherent to the Japanese way of life, from the religious rites of thousands of years ago to the dinner table today.

Pay respects in Hiroshima

The name Hiroshima holds a pivotal and harrowing place in world history. Pay a somber visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Peace Memorial Park and Museum, the only structure left standing after the first atomic bomb was dropped during World War II on August 6^th, 1945. Here you will meet with a survivor who will openly share insights into this dark chapter in world history. A privileged and poignant encounter.

The geishas of Kyoto

Often referred to as Japan’s most beautiful city, Kyoto is packed full of temples, shrines and traditional gardens. Visit in March and April and the most spectacular display of cherry blossoms will greet you. Kyoto is also world famous for its Geishas, a fine art evolved over many centuries.

Travel to Japan with Luxury Gold and enjoy a performance by a Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Highly skilled entertainers and central to Kyoto culture, geishas are specializing in classical music, dance, conversation and games. Whilst the Maiko entertains, savor traditional Kyo-Kaiseki cuisine made of seasonal ingredients.

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 The delicate art of sushi in Tokyo

The world’s most populous metropolis. A city where innovation meets tradition. Tokyo is known for its temples, bustling streets and cuisine. Highlights include the Senso-ji Buddhist Temple, the oldest and most-visited temple in Japan, Nakamise Street and Kappabashi, a local back-street known as Tokyo’s foodie hub.

We invite you to join an exclusive cooking class with a sushi masterchef to learn the delicate art of sushi making. Using the highest quality fish, discover why it takes ten years to become a Master Sushi Chef. Then savor a lunch of exquisite creations.

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Exceptional cuisine

Prepare for a culinary journey like no other. Honed over the centuries, the preparation of Japanese food is refined and elegant. Flavours are pure and delicate, celebrating the textures and colours of seasonal produce.

Travel to Japan and discover why Osaka is known as the kitchen of Japan. Stroll along Dotonbori Street with a Local Expert. Your taste buds will come alive as you sample specialties such as Takoyaki. This local favorite is made of wheat flour-based batter and is filled with minced or diced octopus. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Fuji, enjoy spectacular views of one of the most recognisable landmarks of Japan as you enjoy lunch made of fresh, seasonal ingredients at a local restaurant. Meet the owner of a traditional Inn in Matsushima Bay to dine on local seafood and, at a traditional teahouse, prepare the perfect cup of Matcha Green Tea.

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Exquisite hotels

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A country famous for its architecture, stare-of-the-art technology and exceptional service, we have hand selected some of the most magnificent hotels for the ultimate in Japan luxury travel. The grand Imperial Hotel Tokyo has welcomed royalty, heads of state and celebrities for over 120 years. Stay within walking distance of Tokyo’s most iconic attractions and enjoy award-winning dining, flawless Japanese hospitality and five-star facilities. The luxurious Imperial Hotel Osaka places you along the Okawa River in the heart of vibrant Osaka, one of Japan’s best cherry-blossom-viewing locations.

More than an exceptional hotel, the Hotel Granvia Kyoto features over a thousand modern and traditional artworks by local, Kyoto-based artists. And the Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel, exclusively situated on the banks of the Oirase Gorge, provides a stunning nature retreat.

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It you are looking for the ultimate vacation, why not book a luxury escape to Japan and make Majestic Japan your next journey of a lifetime?

We invite you to meet master brewer Takumi Sato and discover the magic of sake. This unique drink holds a special cultural significance in Japan, entwined with many of the country’s traditions and customs.

On our Majestic Japan luxury guide tour, you have the pleasure of meeting Takumi Sato for yourself. Take a special guided tour of his brewery in Oirase, and learn the history and importance of sake to Japanese culture.

Oirase

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A simply stunning location, Oirase Gorge is a river valley that runs for 14km between Yakeyama, at the foot of Hakkoda-san, and Nenokuchi, on the shore of Towada-ko (Lake Towada), in Northern Japan. It boasts some of the most picturesque surroundings you will have the delight to ever experience. Drawing visitors from far and wide, this is one of Japan’s most-revered nature havens.

“I know how special this location is,” Takumi Sato says. “And I believe that our sake represents that in a particular way. We capture the essence of Oirase at the brewery and that’s how we share it with others. This is my personal motivation – letting others feel that magic.”

Travel with Luxury Gold and as well as visiting the sake brewery, explore the spectacular Oirase Gorge, a place of special scenic beauty. Wander along the crystal-clear Oirase Keiryu stream, admire the cascading waterfalls and marvel at the seasonal colors of the indigenous forest.

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Meet Takumi Sato

“My inspiration to become a master brewer came from the former owner of the kuromato (brewery) here in Oirase,” Takumi Sato explains. “He had a phrase that translates roughly as, ‘local sake is the crystal of local food culture’.”

“I began making sake in 1990, but I did not become a toji (master brewer) until 2004,” he continues. “Becoming a toji is not simply about passing the examination. Personally, I believe that you must understand how sacred sake is and be mindful of the traditions that have been passed down through generations. I have pursued these traditions with a particular devotion and will continue to do so every day until I die.”

A brief Japanese sake history

Sake manufacturing in Japan began sometime after the introduction of wet rice cultivation to the country in the 3rd century BC. The first reference to its manufacture dates from the 8th century. The technique to ferment rice into an alcoholic drink was originally developed in ancient China.

Sake was produced primarily by the imperial court in ancient Japan, in temples and shrines. Japanese people have continuously refined production methods throughout Japanese sake history to create this truly unique drink, with manufacture by the general population beginning from the early 12th century.

Sake is often (incorrectly) referred to as a wine. This is easily done because of its appearance and alcoholic content.  It is in fact made in a process known as multiple parallel fermentation, in which a grain (rice) is converted from starch to sugar. It is then converted to alcohol. Special strains of rice are precisely milled to remove the outer layers, a process that reduces the grain to 50-70 percent of its original size.

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A sacred beverage

“Sake is the national drink of Japan, not simply because we like drinking it, but because we see it as a blessing from the gods,” Takumi Sato explains. “It is inherent to our culture and way of life, from the religious rites of thousands of years ago to the dinner table today.”

In Japan, sake is served with special ceremony. Before being served, it is warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called a tokkuri. It is then usually sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakazuki. Premium sake, of a delicate flavour, is served cold or on ice. Sake is best when consumed less than a year after bottling.

“We commemorate every occasion with sake, from births and weddings to New Year celebrations, Memorial Day and funerals,” Takumi Sato tells us. “Some people drink sake every day, and of course you can, but it is usually served with meals and enjoyed with others. When you drink sake with friends or family, you must not pour it for yourself. First serve others and then someone else will serve you.”

The unique flavor of Oirase

“The unique flavor of our sake is a direct result of the environment here in Oirase,” Sato affectionately explains. “Here, you’ll see we’re near the lake, and the water that flows through the Hakkoda mountain range to Oirase is some of the purest on Earth. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, but the sake produced here is at the highest level. It reveals the distinct umami in dishes.”

“When you travel through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park to Oirase, you can immerse all five senses on your journey. The Japanese culture will enrich and enthrall you. I personally look forward to welcoming you here and sharing with you our sacred drink from the gods.”

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Learn the magic of sake, revel in the beauty of Oirase and meet Takumi Sato for yourself on our Majestic Japan luxury guided tour. Be captivated by the beauty and traditions of Japan over 11-days. Travel to Kyoto, bask in the serenity surrounding the iconic Golden Pavilion and see the Giouji Temple. Visit Hiroshima and Mount Fuji. In Tokyo, learn how to make sushi rolls during a private cooking class. Stay in exquisite hotels, travel on the bullet train and enjoy exclusive experiences along the way.