Cherry Blossoms and Ancient Temples: A Guided Journey Through Japan with AAA

From hushed temple paths to snow-dusted mountain towns, Japan is a land of breathtaking contrasts. Among the most coveted times to visit is spring, when cherry blossoms transform the country into a dreamy pink haze. The Essence of Japan tour from Explorations by AAA is your invitation to discover this season of renewal through an intimate, expertly guided journey that brings Japanese culture to life in vivid color.

Small group, big immersion

This journey is capped at a maximum of 16 guests, providing a deeper, more personalized experience of Japan. Your AAA Trip Leader travels with you every step of the way, handling logistics, sharing insights, and making sure you never have to worry about the details. It’s an exclusive AAA itinerary operated by luxury travel provider Alexander+Roberts, crafted to reveal the heart of Japan through authentic encounters and unforgettable sights.

Kyoto: A graceful beginning

Your adventure begins in Kyoto. Highlighting some of her favorite perks of this journey, Trip Leader Kate Rokosz says, “I love how a complimentary pre-night at Granvia Hotel is included in Kyoto to give you time to acclimate to the time difference before the itinerary begins.” After time to relax or stroll under blossoming sakura trees, you’ll join your group for a welcome dinner to kick off the journey. 

The days that follow unveil Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage. At Nijo Castle, you’ll tiptoe across the famed Nightingale Floor, which chirps softly with each step. Next, admire the shimmering Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji before sitting down to a rare experience: lunch with a maiko, an apprentice geisha who embodies Japan’s time-honored traditions of hospitality, poise, and performance. In the afternoon, visit Sanjusangendo Temple, home to 1,001 statues of the goddess Kannon, and stroll the Gion district, where lanterns and old wooden buildings evoke Japan’s feudal past.

From sacred islands to sobering history

Across the Inland Sea is Miyajima Island, where a famous torii gate appears to float on the water. This tranquil setting gives way to one of Japan’s most moving destinations: Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park. The Memorial Museum stands as a solemn testament to the resilience and hope that define modern Hiroshima.

Shrines, samurai, and scenic design

Back in Kyoto, you’ll travel to nearby Nara, Japan’s first capital and home to the colossal Buddha of Todai-ji Temple and the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Shrine. Next, a rail journey brings you to Kanazawa, a coastal city steeped in Edo-era beauty. Visit the Nomura Samurai Residence and the Kutani Kosen Pottery Studio, and then take a guided walk through Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. Here, you’ll learn about the six essential elements of traditional landscape design, a philosophy that informs Japanese aesthetics to this day.

Into the Japanese Alps 

Continue through the Japanese Alps to Shirakawa-go, a mountain hamlet famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs resembling hands in prayer. Explore this open-air museum before continuing to Takayama, a town that preserves the feel of feudal Japan. Tour the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall to see elaborately crafted parade floats, some with mechanical puppets that perform centuries-old dances. You’ll also visit the busy morning market and enjoy a sake tasting in Takayama.

A modern finale in Tokyo 

Gleaming skyscrapers and bustling streets provide a modern counterpoint to Japan’s ancient past in Tokyo, where your tour wraps up. Explore the city center, known for its fashion, dining, and pop culture, and then head out to Hakone National Park for views of Mount Fuji and a cruise across Lake Ashi. Ascend Mount Komagatake for panoramic vistas over pine forests and sparkling lakes. 

The final day of discovery begins early at Tokyo’s iconic outdoor fish market, where a local chef will guide you through a sushi-making lesson. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch before heading to the Tokyo Observatory for sweeping views over this massive metropolis. Browse the Nakamise Arcade’s stalls of traditional snacks and souvenirs, and then visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.

Experience Japan when it’s most alive

Springtime in Japan is magical, with cherry blossoms blanketing parks, temples, and city streets. This carefully timed tour ensures you’re surrounded by that fleeting beauty while diving deep into the country’s history, art, food, and natural landscapes. As Rokosz says, “Japan is a wish-list destination with contrasts you can’t find elsewhere, like 1,200-year-old temples and shrines next to robot cafes and futuristic cities.”

Let this be the year you experience Japan in bloom. Visit AAA.com/Explorations or contact a AAA Travel Advisor for free expert guidance and to book now.