Japan is blossoming! Beat the crowds for Sakura Season by booking these 2025 tours

It’s no secret that Japan is topping many people’s bucket lists right now, with the country recently being named the top destination for 2024 in Condé Nast Traveller’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

Travelsphere, one of the UK’s original group touring operators, and their solo touring arm Just You, agrees that Japan is one of their fastest-growing destinations. “It’s not just Gen Z – there’s a big interest in Japan from all age groups,” says Marketing Director Charlotte Field. “We’re seeing the number of travellers soar, with both Travelsphere and Just You Japan bookings up 50% year-on-year.”

As last-minute flight prices rise rapidly for the famous blossom season, now’s the time to secure your 2025 holiday to Japan in March or April – the best time for hanami (“flower viewing”).

Travelsphere (Group Touring): Japan – Land of the Rising Sun

• 13 days
• Prices from £6,199pp with flights included
• Departs 23rd March, 30th March and 13 April 2025

Beginning in dazzling Tokyo, you’ll go on to admire incredible views of Mount Fuji, see the beautiful Matsumoto Castle and visit the traditional city of Takayama. After riding the famous Bullet Train to Kyoto, you’ll spend three nights exploring this charming city before heading to Hiroshima and uncovering its poignant history. Your journey ends in bustling Osaka, where you’ll visit Osaka Castle and have some free time for shopping if you wish.

Highlights

• Tour of Japan’s capital, Tokyo
• Hakone, gateway to Mount Fuji
• Cruise on Lake Ashi
• Cable-car ride over Owakundi Valley
• Matsumoto Castle, Japan’s oldest existing castle
• Visit a wasabi farm
• Takayama, a traditional city in the mountains
• Shirakawago visit
• Journey on the iconic Bullet Train
• Sightseeing in Kyoto including Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Arashiyama and rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest
• Sushi-making demonstration
• Visit the historic city of Nara
• Hiroshima sightseeing tour and Miyajima Island
• Tour of Osaka including Umeda Floating Garden and Osaka Castle

Just You (Solo Touring) – Japan Revealed 

• 12 days
• Prices from £6,999pp with flights included
• Departs 22nd March, 29th March, 5th April and 12th April 2025

This unforgettable adventure to enigmatic Japan begins in the capital, Tokyo. Here you will take in stunning views from the Observation Deck of the Tokyo Tower and experience an authentic rickshaw ride. Next, you’ll discover the natural beauty of Mount Fuji and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi before travelling by Bullet Train to Kyoto. You’ll stay here for three nights and will visit the famous sake brewing district. From here you will also visit the historic city of Nara and Osaka, where you will stop to take photographs of beautiful Osaka Castle. In Hiroshima, you’ll take in Miyajima Island and see poignant sights dedicated to the nuclear bombing of the Second World War, before spending the last night of your holiday in the pretty port city of Kobe.

Highlights

• Tokyo including rickshaw ride
• Visit Tokyo Tower’s Observation Deck
• Dinner on board a traditional Yakatabune boat
• Mount Fuji & an Atami Onsen
• Cruise on Lake Ashi
• Cable car ride to Great Boiling Valley
• Journey on the iconic Bullet Train
• Kyoto sightseeing including the historic city of Nara
• Sake museum visit including tasting
• Osaka sightseeing
• Miyajima Island
• Okonomiyaki-making experience
• Hiroshima tour
• Shukkeien Garden
• Kurashiki canal area
• Pass by Himeji Castle
• Japanese Uji tea ceremony