Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

14 DAY PASS - BEST OF THE WEST
CHERRY BLOSSOMS ITINERARY
Day 4: Tokyo to Kanazawa (Spend 1 night in Kanazawa)
Kanazawa was home to the Maeda Family, the second most influential and powerful feudal lords during the Edo Period. Today, it is a very
popular tourist destination as it offers a wide array of cultural and historical spots that date back from that eventful era. It also is home to
several top-notch sakura viewing spots.
From Tokyo Station, take a Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station. The one-way journey takes about three hours and is entirely covered by your JR Pass.
To explore Kanazawa, it is recommended you purchase a one-day bus pass (500 yen) that will allow you unlimited rides to the city’s best cherry
blossom spots and other attractions, including the following:
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Kenrokuen – Regarded as one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens of Japan, Kenrokuen is a spacious garden with a diverse
collection of flowering trees, plants and shrubs.
Kanazawa Castle’s Ishikawamon Gate – Both sides of Kanazawa Castle’s Ishikawamon Gate are lined with beautiful cherry trees that
are a fantastic sight when in full bloom.
Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge – With views of the Asanogawa River, a stroll along the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge is popular during peak
sakura season. This vantage point will allow you to enjoy scenery blanketed in pink cherry blossoms.
Mt Utatsu – Mt Utatsu is home to a park with numerous cherry trees and offers overlooking views of Kanazawa and the surroundings.
Day 5: Kanazawa to Kyoto (Spend 4 nights in Kyoto)
A direct train linking the two cities of Kanazawa and Kyoto makes travel very convenient. From Kanazawa Station, take a Ltd Exp Thunderbird
train to Kyoto Station. The whole trip takes a little over two hours and is fully covered by your JR Pass.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Kyoto
Purchase a city bus all-day pass at the Tourist Information Center at Kyoto Station to be able to access the following cherry blossom viewing spots:
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Philosopher’s Path – Strolling the entire two-kilometre length of the Philosopher’s Path is quite popular during the sakura season, as
the concrete walking trail is lined by gorgeous cherry trees from start to finish.
Arashiyama – Located in Kyoto’s outskirts, Arashiyama is a busy yet uplifting district that has many varieties of cherry trees scattered
all around.
Maruyama Park – A public park that is known for its sakura parties, Maruyama Park is always crowded during the peak cherry blossom
season, especially at night when it holds sakura illuminations.
Toji Pagoda
Kyoto cityscape
151 - Japan Travel Guide