One-Day Cherry Blossom Tour from Tokyo: Amabiki Kannon Cherry Blossoms, Hitachi Sakura Festival & Seaside Sunset

09:30am JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit(Gathering on and off the bus package)
* We will not wait for late arrivals, so it is recommended to wait at the meeting location 10 minutes before departure.
11:20am Amabiki Kannon Thousand Cherry Blossoms （Approx. 60 mins | Free Time）
Located halfway up Amabiki Mountain, Amabiki Kannon (Amabiki Temple / Amabiki-san Rekkō-ji) is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in northern Kanto. Every spring, the temple is surrounded by layers of blooming cherry trees, attracting numerous visitors for worship and flower viewing, creating a serene yet lively spring atmosphere.
The temple and its surroundings are home to approximately 3,000 cherry trees of various varieties, including Kawazu-zakura and Somei Yoshino, with blossoms appearing from mid-March and lasting about a month. Different varieties bloom in succession, extending the cherry blossom season and making Amabiki Kannon a unique spring destination.
Founded in 587 AD by the Chinese monk Hōrin Dokushū, Amabiki Temple is a historic Buddhist site. During the Nara period, it was highly respected by Emperor Shōmu and Empress Kōmyō, and later developed into a Shingon sect training temple by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). Today, Amabiki Kannon is widely known as a sacred place for praying for safe childbirth and children's health, making it one of the representative ancient temples in the Kanto region.
 
13:40pm Hitachi Sakura Festival (Approx. 180 mins | Free Time | Optional Lunch)
Stroll along Heiwa-dori, lined with fully bloomed cherry trees, and immerse yourself in the enchanting spring atmosphere. The Hitachi Sakura Festival, held annually in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a representative cherry blossom event and one of the most popular spring celebrations in northern Kanto. During the festival, multiple cherry blossom spots across the city are open, with Heiwa-dori being the most famous, where streets, parks, and urban landscapes are beautifully framed by cherry blossoms.
The approximately 1-kilometer-long Heiwa-dori transforms into a dreamy "cherry blossom tunnel" during peak bloom, forming a soft archway of blossoms above the street. It is a favorite walking route for both locals and visitors, offering a unique city cherry blossom viewing experience.
During the festival, visitors can also enjoy local Ibaraki cuisine (optional, at own expense), enhancing the seasonal experience. The itinerary allows for leisurely exploration, letting guests stroll at their own pace and fully enjoy the festive spring atmosphere.
** Hitachi Fūryūmono – Intangible Cultural Heritage (Selected Dates Only)
On April 5 (13:00pm, 16:00pm, 19:00pm) and April 6 (13:00pm, 15:00pm), the Hitachi Fūryūmono traditional festival performances are open to the public. Highlights include:

• Luxurious festival floats stand 15 meters high and are among Japan's first designated Important Tangible and Intangible Folk Cultural Properties (Selected Dates Only).
• Traditional puppet shows performed on a five-story mechanized stage, renowned for their intricate mechanisms and unique performance style (limited days).
• Occasional live music and stage performances, adding extra festive charm

 
17:00pm Hitachi Station: The "Floating" Glass Station (Approx. 60 mins, Have Free Time)
Visit Hitachi Station, a stunning oceanfront railway station facing the Pacific, renowned for its sleek, modern architecture seamlessly integrated with the surrounding natural landscape. Designed by acclaimed Ibaraki-born architect Kazuyo Sejima, the station resembles a floating glass box with high, transparent interiors, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the sea.
Hitachi Station has gained widespread attention on social media and has won multiple awards, including the 2012 Good Design Award (Japan) and the 2014 Brunel Award for excellence. It is often described as one of Japan's most beautiful stations and "the station that feels like an art museum."
Inside, visitors can enjoy the ocean from the observation space or relax at the popular SEA BiRDS CAFE, where you can savor refreshments while taking in the extraordinary coastal scenery. Especially at sunset, the sky and sea are bathed in soft orange and pink hues, reflected beautifully on the glass architecture, creating a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.
Hitachi Station offers changing views depending on the time of day and weather: bright blue skies on sunny days, golden sunlight at sunrise, layered colors at sunset, or misty seascapes before rain—allowing visitors to quietly experience the flow of time and light.
 
18:00pm Return to Tokyo
The return time is for reference only. You may return earlier due to smooth itinerary, good road conditions, etc. on the day. (The drive takes about 2 hours to 2.5 hours)
20:00pm Arrive at the Shinjuku MODE Gakuen/JR Tokyo Station and end the day's itinerary happily!
Guests can end the trip directly at Tokyo Station or Shinjuku.

* The following itinerary is for reference only. The specific attractions, tour sequence and time may be changed according to the situation on the day.
* Due to the high volume of tourism in Japan, traffic congestion is common on weekends and public holidays. Return trips are often delayed, sometimes by 2-3 hours. We recommend not scheduling other activities on the evening of your tour's conclusion, as it may interfere with the itinerary.

B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded