Cherry Blossom Garden Cruise & Tour of Japan with Linda Ross

DAY 1 Wednesday, 25 March 2026 Depart Australia/Arrive Tokyo
Today we board our flight to Tokyo, Japan. We arrive in Tokyo later the same day. Upon arrival we are transferred to our city hotel.

DAY 2 Thursday, 26 March 2026 Tokyo
Tokyo is the political, economic and cultural capital of Japan. There are more than twelve million people living in Tokyo and millions more living within a radius of fifty kilometers. We will enjoy a city tour of exciting Tokyo this morning. We see the famous Ginza area and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is still part of the Royal Residence. It is a superb example of traditional Japanese landscape design. We continue with a visit to Asakusa, the heart of traditional Japan. The main attraction is Sensoji, a popular Buddhist temple built in the seventh century, where Japanese couples in traditional dress are likely to be seen. We will have time to walk along Nakamise-dori, the bustling market area, where souvenirs and wooden sandals are sold. This evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner with Linda and other tour members.

DAY 3 Friday, 27 March 2026 Tokyo
Today we visit the Omiya Museum, the most outstanding centre for bonsai in Japan. Opened in 2010, it has a collection of over 100 bonsai masterpieces. In addition, we will see bonsai pots, miniature landscapes in stone, books and woodblock print. We continue our travels to visit Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, built in the early Edo period in 1629, where cherry blossoms are likely to be seen. This traditional garden exhibits the main elements of a Japanese garden and was named after a poem. It boasts a gorgeous pond adjoining the tea house, a full moon bridge and man-made hills. Linda will make sure we get the most out of our visits.

DAY 4 Saturday, 28 March 2026 Embarkation
This morning, we visit Ueno Park – the centre of a cherry blossom festival with 1000 cherry trees and where traditional ‘Hanami’ picnics under cherry trees take place each year. We continue with a visit to Rikugien Garden – a strolling garden from 1695. In the afternoon we are transferred to the port of Yokohama to board the Diamond Princess for our cruise around Japan.

DAY 5 Sunday, 29 March 2026 At Sea
A day at sea is the perfect opportunity to explore the fabulous facilities. Options include a visit to the spa for a relaxing massage. Late morning, join us for an interesting talk by Linda about her life in gardening and pointers on the design features of Japanese gardens.

DAY 6 Monday, 30 March 2026 Hiroshima, Japan
This morning, we arrive at Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb was exploded and helped bring the end to WWII in the Pacific in August 1945. On our sightseeing tour we visit the Peace Memorial Park, where hundreds of cherry blossoms trees have been planted. We will see the Genbaku Dome, the surviving portion of a structure that crumbled in the explosion. We will visit Shukkei-en, a 17thcentury miniature Japanese-style landscape garden. We continue with a visit to the Hiroshima Botanical Garden, which was opened in 1976. Located on a hill overlooking the Seto Sea it contains many glass houses displaying tropical and sub-tropical plants.

DAY 7 Tuesday, 31 March 2026 At Sea
A day at sea. Perhaps attend an exercise class, have a swim or visit the library to check out the large collection of books. Late morning join us for gardening trivial pursuit. Linda will call the questions to test your knowledge of plants and gardens.

DAY 8 Wednesday, 1 April 2026 Busan, South Korea
Today we call into the port of Busan, South Korea, where we enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide. We first experience the serenity of the 8th-century Bulguksa Temple, located on the slopes of Mount Tohan. We explore the royal tombs at Tumuli Park and visit the ancient Silla capital, Gyeong-Ju, a place, which is UNESCO designated as one of the world’s top 10 historic sites. This palace and an artificial pond are part of Geongi National Park.

DAY 9 Thursday, 2 April 2026 Nagasaki, Japan
Today we arrive in the city of Nagasaki. It is best known as the site of the second nuclear attack on Japan during WW2. We have a sightseeing tour of the city. We see the Peace Memorial Park, located near Ground Zero, the centre of the blast, which is home to a beautiful memorial fountain and the 30-foot-high Statue of Peace. We will also see other parts of the city that was for 200 years Japan’s port to the outside world. This afternoon the group will walk to the nearby Glover Gardens, where we see early European settlers’ houses surrounded by attractive gardens.

DAY 10 Friday, 3 April 2026 Kagoshima, Japan
This morning we arrive into Kagoshima on the southernmost tip of the island of Kyushu which is famous for its views of the nearby volcano of Sakurajima and hot spring onsens. We have a tour of the city and we’ll visit the famous Senganen Iso garden which was laid out in traditional manner in 1660 by the 19th Shimazu Lord, a family that ruled this part of Japan for 29 generations spanning 700 years. We also see the Shimazu Villa where the family lived.

DAY 11 Saturday, 4 April 2026 Matsuyama, Japan
Our port stop today is at Matsuyama, where we visit Matsuyama Castle. It sits 132 metres above the city and is surrounded by Shiroyama Park one of Japan’s top spots for cherry blossom viewing. We will enjoy free time this afternoon for individual exploration.

DAY 12 Sunday, 5 April 2026 Kochi, Japan
This morning, we dock in Kochi, the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the southern coast of Shikoku where we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. We visit Kochi Castle, one of just twelve Japanese castles to have survived the fires, wars and other catastrophes of the post feudal age. The castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding region, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period. The castle buildings have since been designated “important cultural properties” and now house local treasures and historical objects. We visit the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden. The garden has 40 different species of cherry blossom, so we are sure to see several of them flowering. There are also many beds of well-tended flower with well-maintained paths. We will enjoy gorgeous views over the city of Kochi. We continue with a visit to the museum dedicated to Tomitaro Makino, a botanist and illustrator.

DAY 13 Monday, 6 April 2026 Kobe, Japan
Today we arrive into Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan’s ten largest cities. Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities. On our sightseeing tour we will enjoy an orientation tour of the city including a cable-car ride, which offers spectacular views of Kobe, The Shin-Kobe Ropeway that lifts us up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a lovely aerial view of both. We will visit the herb garden, which features 200 varieties of herbs and several green houses. We continue with a visit to Sorakuen garden a true oasis in the middle of the city. The villa in the gardens used to be the residence of the former mayor of Kobe. We will explore the Kitano district the location of the houses of foreign merchants who used to trade with Japan in past centuries.

DAY 14 Tuesday, 7 April 2026 Shimizu, Mt Fuji
At 1.00pm, we arrive at Shimizu at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain and the focal point of the sprawling Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park where cherry trees should be in blossom. This afternoon we travel to Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, where we will get spectacular views of Mont Fuji from the Observation Deck, depending on the weather. We continue to the Sengen Taisha Shrine built 1,000 years ago to protect the area from volcanic eruptions from Mount Fuji.

DAY 15 Wednesday, 8 April 2026 Disembark Tokyo/Kyoto
This morning, we dock in Yokohama. After disembarking we will travel by Bullet Train to Kyoto which will be our home for four nights. On arrival we will have a panoramic tour of Kyoto to see the main sights including the Kyoto Imperial Palace which is surrounded by the gorgeous Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. The palace was completed in 1855 and was home to the Imperial household from that date until the Meiji Restoration, when they moved to Tokyo.

DAY 16 Thursday, 9 April 2026 Kyoto
We start the day with a journey to the nearby hills to visit Jojakko-ji, a 1640 temple set in a beautiful grove of trees. The temple platform provides a viewing space for the gorgeous garden, where we will enjoy the contrast of the delicate pink flowering azaleas which contrast with the lush green trees and bushes. We continue with a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the temple of the Golden Pavilion. It was built in the late 14th century with three stories topped with gold leaf. It extends over a pond, which reflects the building and is surrounded by a beautiful, landscaped garden. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ryoanji Temple, and its famous rock garden. Attributed to the artist Soami, it was created in the 16th century in a space of thirty metres by ten metres. It is built in the waterless stream style and is composed of fifteen rocks set into raked white gravel. The Zen Garden, with its arrangement of rocks, representing mountains, and sparse vegetation, is symbolic of an individual’s journey through life.

DAY 17 Friday, 10 April 2026 Kyoto
Today we visit Nijo Castle, built in the early Endo period, the visit includes Ninomaro gardens which surround the castle, which have 430 cherry trees and ancient pines. Over 400 years it has survived many fires and earthquakes and the castle and the Shoin-zukuri style garden are renovated to their former glory. We continue our day with a visit to the Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and the picturesque Philosopher’s Path, which extends along the river under cherry trees, which we hope will be in blossom.

DAY 18 Saturday, 11 April 2026 Kyoto
In the morning we will visit Hakusasonso and have a visit to the garden and museum. This is a very authentic, beautifully designed, medium-sized, garden. It was originally the garden of Hashimoto-san, a famous artist and it is now designated as National Site of scenic beauty. We visit the atmospheric streets of Kiyyomizu-dera, nearby to enjoy this bustling walking street. We will find many shops, where we are able to purchase souvenirs. The afternoon will be free for individual activities. In the evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner to say goodbye to Linda and other group members.

DAY 19 Sunday, 12 April 2026 Departure
This morning, we travel to Osaka. On the journey we will visit the uniquely Japanese Arashiyama Bamboo grove. We will pass through Osaka’s downtown area on the way to the Osaka Castle. Built in 1583 and destroyed just 32 years later, the castle has undergone many reconstructions the most recent in 1931. Its walls encompass the Municipal Museum and the Hokoku Shrine, which is dedicated to its original owner, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Later we are transferred to the Osaka airport for our flight to Australia.

DAY 20 Monday, 13 April 2026 Arrive Australia
This morning, we arrive back in Australia and tour activities conclude.