- 4.9/5 438 Latest reviews
- Destination: Japan
- Duration: 15 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms on this exclusive 15-day private tour in 2026. From late April to early May, travel through northern Japan’s most iconic spring destinations, including Sendai, Hirosaki, Matsumae, Lake Toya, and more. Witness late-blooming cherry trees in full glory, stroll along castle grounds, rivers, and park pathways, and immerse yourself in traditional hanami celebrations with locals.
Beyond the blossoms, this journey offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural wonders. Explore ancient samurai streets, Edo-period villages, and historic temples, enjoy scenic lakes and coastal vistas, and savor regional cuisine and local whisky. Relax in Hokkaido’s serene onsen resorts, take panoramic ropeway rides over volcanoes and lakes, and visit charming port towns like Hakodate and Otaru. This bespoke tour is crafted for travelers seeking a memorable, immersive spring experience in Japan, combining iconic cherry blossom spots with hidden northern gems.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Sendai
Aoba Castle, Mikamine Park, Matsushima Town, Nikka Whisky
4 - 5
Morioka
Morioka Castle Ruins Park, Lake Tazawa, Koiwai Farm
6 - 7
Aomori
Hirosaki Castle, Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge
8 - 9
Hakodate
Mount Hakodate, Goryokaku Park, Matsumae Castle
10 - 11
Lake Toya
Lake Toya Cruise, Volcano Science Museum, Usuzan Ropeway
12
Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, Noboribetsu Date Historic Village
13 - 15
Sapporo, Otaru
Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Hokkaido Shrine, Otaru Canal, Kitaichi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum
Itinerary
- Day 1: Tokyo Arrival – Shinkansen to Sendai
Arrive in Tokyo and board the Shinkansen to Sendai, taking in rolling hills, rice paddies, and charming villages. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy a relaxing evening stroll in streets lined with early Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms. For a true local experience, visit a small café or bakery to taste freshly baked Japanese pastries or seasonal sakura-flavored treats. Optional: stop by a convenience store for a quirky introduction to Japanese snacks, vending machines, and local treats.
Highlight: Early cherry blossoms in Sendai streets, Shinkansen countryside views, seasonal treats tasting
- Sendai
- Day 2: Sendai – Mikamine Park & Aoba Castle Ruins
Start your journey with Mikamine Park, a top cherry blossom destination in Sendai. Stroll through winding paths with over a thousand cherry trees, and witness locals enjoying hanami picnics under blooming petals. In the afternoon, visit Aoba Castle Ruins, exploring the stone walls and terraces that offer panoramic views of Sendai city and surrounding cherry trees. End the day with a traditional tea ceremony at a local teahouse, pairing matcha tea with sakura sweets for an authentic spring experience.
Highlight: Mikamine Park cherry blossoms, panoramic city views from Aoba Castle, tea ceremony with seasonal sweets
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- Sendai
- Day 3: Matsushima & Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery
Travel to Matsushima Bay, famous for 260+ pine-covered islands. Enjoy a springtime cruise through the bay, taking in the seasonal Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms along the shoreline. Explore Zuigan-ji Temple, a historic Zen temple surrounded by cherry trees, before visiting Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery. Learn about Japanese whisky production while admiring the blossoms, then enjoy a tasting session accompanied by a view of the distillery gardens in full bloom. Optional: try seasonal sakura-flavored whisky chocolates sold on-site.
Highlight: Matsushima Bay cruise, cherry blossoms at Zuigan-ji Temple, whisky tasting in spring bloom
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- Sendai
- Day 4: Sendai – Morioka: Morioka Castle Ruins Park
Travel to Morioka via Shinkansen and visit Morioka Castle Ruins Park, famous for its expansive lawns and cherry blossom avenues. Capture photos of petals falling over historic stone walls. Optional activities include exploring local shops for seasonal snacks, sampling sakura-flavored ice cream, or cycling through cherry-lined streets. End the day with a dinner featuring Morioka specialty cuisine such as wanko soba, while enjoying views of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms in the city park.
Highlight: Morioka Castle cherry blossoms, hanami walks, local specialty dinner
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- Morioka
- Day 5: Lake Tazawa, Kakunodate & Koiwai Farm
Start at Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake, where spring cherry trees reflect in its pristine waters. Continue to Kakunodate, a samurai district where elegant weeping cherry trees arch over wooden streets. Visit preserved Buke Yashiki samurai residences to experience Edo-era architecture surrounded by blossoms. Finish at Koiwai Farm, a vast estate where you can feed farm animals, stroll cherry-lined paths, and taste fresh dairy products and seasonal sakura-flavored treats. Optional: take part in a traditional Japanese butter-making workshop.
Highlight: Samurai district cherry blossoms, Lake Tazawa reflections, Koiwai Farm seasonal experiences
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- Morioka
- Day 6: Morioka – Aomori: Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge
Travel north to Aomori. Visit Lake Towada, a volcanic caldera lake with cherry trees along its shores. Optional: enjoy a paddleboat ride or lakeside picnic under the Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms. Continue to Oirase Gorge, a scenic river valley filled with waterfalls, fresh greenery, and spring wildflowers. Take a leisurely walk along the trail, stopping at hidden photo spots and small shrines tucked among blooming trees. Optional: join a guided photography session to capture blossoms and waterfalls.
Highlight: Lake Towada cherry blossoms, Oirase Gorge waterfalls, photography opportunities
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- Aomori
- Day 7: Hirosaki Castle – Cherry Blossom Festival
Spend the day at Hirosaki Castle, known for one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom festivals. Walk along moats lined with 2,600+ cherry trees, see petals floating on water, and photograph iconic views of the castle surrounded by blossoms. Explore Tsugaru-han Neputa Village to learn about local crafts and festival traditions, and enjoy seasonal street foods like sakura-flavored mochi. Evening strolls along illuminated cherry paths create a magical atmosphere of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms.
Highlight: Hirosaki Castle cherry blossom festival, craft workshops, sakura street food tasting
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- Aomori
- Day 8: Aomori – Hakodate: Goryokaku Park & Mount Hakodate
Take a morning train to Hakodate. Visit Goryokaku Park, a star-shaped fort surrounded by cherry blossoms. Climb Goryokaku Tower for panoramic spring photos. In the evening, ride the Mount Hakodate Ropeway for one of the world’s most famous night views, with city lights twinkling beneath blooming trees. Optional: visit Hakodate Morning Market to sample fresh seafood, including Hokkaido crab and seasonal sashimi.
Highlight: Star-shaped cherry blossom fort, panoramic night views, fresh seafood tasting
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- Hakodate
- Day 9: Hakodate – Matsumae: Matsumae Castle & Park
Travel to Matsumae, Hokkaido’s historic castle town. Explore Matsumae Castle, surrounded by over 10,000 cherry trees, including rare late-blooming varieties. Walk through the castle grounds and gardens, visit seasonal festival stalls, and join hanami tea or craft workshops. Optional: visit the Matsumae Historical Museum for Edo-period artifacts and cherry blossom photography tips. Capture the magic of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms at its northernmost peak.
Highlight: Matsumae Castle cherry blossoms, craft workshops, historical museum
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- Matsumae
- Day 10: Matsumae – Lake Toya: Hot Spring Stay
Travel to Lake Toya, in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Check into a lakeside onsen hotel, walk along the promenade framed by cherry trees, and photograph the serene lake with mountains and blossoms in the background. Enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner highlighting seasonal ingredients and sakura-themed dishes. Evening onsen baths provide relaxation under the stars. Optional: evening lakeside photography of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms.
Highlight: Lake Toya cherry blossoms, onsen and kaiseki dinner, lakeside photography
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- Lake Toya
- Day 11: Lake Toya – Cruise, Volcano Museum & Usuzan Ropeway
Start with a Lake Toya cruise, viewing islands surrounded by cherry blossoms. Visit the Volcano Science Museum to learn about Mount Usu’s eruptions. Ride the Usuzan Ropeway for panoramic views of the lake, ocean, and steaming crater. Optional: guided nature walk around the ropeway station to spot cherry blossoms and spring wildlife. Evening onsen soak completes a day immersed in Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms.
Highlight: Volcano and lake panoramas, cherry blossoms along the lake, ropeway and nature walk
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- Lake Toya
- Day 12: Lake Toya – Noboribetsu: Hell Valley & Edo Village
Travel to Noboribetsu, Hokkaido’s volcanic hot spring region. Explore Hell Valley, with steam vents and bubbling pools framed by cherry blossoms. Experience the Oyunumagawa Footbath and then visit Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, an Edo-period village with performances, workshops, and traditional seasonal food. Optional: try hand-on Edo crafts or a samurai costume photo session amid the blooming Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms.
Highlight: Hell Valley volcanic scenery, footbath, Edo village experiences, cherry blossoms
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- Noboribetsu
- Day 13: Noboribetsu – Sapporo: City Highlights
Visit Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, and Hokkaido Shrine, where cherry blossoms create a perfect spring setting. Sample Hokkaido specialties such as miso ramen, fresh seafood, and sakura-flavored sweets. Stroll tree-lined streets, photograph urban cherry blossoms, and optionally join a local cooking class for seasonal dishes.
Highlight: Hokkaido Shrine and Odori Park cherry blossoms, local food and cooking experience
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- Sapporo
- Day 14: Otaru Day Trip
Take a short trip to Otaru, a historic canal town. Walk along the Otaru Canal, lined with cherry trees and historic warehouses. Visit Kitaichi Glass and the Otaru Music Box Museum, capturing seasonal blooms and local artisan works. Sample local seafood and sweet treats, and optionally take a canal photography workshop to document Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms in iconic settings. Return to Sapporo for a final evening.
Highlight: Otaru Canal cherry blossoms, music box museum, seasonal seafood and sweets
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- Sapporo
- Day 15: Departure from Sapporo
Transfer to New Chitose Airport for your flight home. Take home memories of Tohoku Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms, stunning lakes, historic castles, cultural festivals, seasonal cuisine, and Japan’s breathtaking northern spring landscapes.
Highlight: Farewell to northern Japan and cherry blossoms, photography memories
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