Thank you so much for a brilliant report HT. We are going to Japan to ski in January and I have decided to add on a couple of weeks travel there. We won't get any cherry blossoms of course.

Have you ever travelled in winter there?

marksfour,

wish I could go earlier but too many things happening later this yr and early next yr. ie. DD is getting married, lol

aussiefive,

Thanks, yes I have been there in winter and it is cold. Nice time of year to do an onsen in combo with your skiing. There are a lot of ski areas in the Lake Tazawako area that I have seen with onsens all around, Nagano also.....have fun!

Aloha!

HT

Just wanted to thank you for this fantastic report. I love your attention to the details and just enjoy your style of writing. There is so much information in this report!

I remember reading about your adventures last year and was so taken that it moved me to plan a trip of our own to Japan. We leave tomorrow! Thanks again!!

Wow, thanks for reading.....glad you enjoyed it.

Have a nice trip and let us know how it went when you get back.

Aloha!

ttt

Hi HT !

Now in Nagoya on our way down to Hiroshima then Osaka on our drive back to Tokyo.
Thanks for the tips HT.

Saw the CB blooms here in Nagoya on TV this AM & they are mostly still asleep .... Noted schedule of viewing for the rest of our trip. Osaka might be IT.

Domo !!!

Hi BMT,

Glad the report helped. Hope you are enjoying the blooms and know that I am very envious of you right now. There are rows of trees around the river adjacent to the Peace Park that are beautiful in full bloom and then there is Miyajima...... Looks like you are in for a treat!

Aloha!

HI HT,
Got back the other night. Spring may be here but the Sakura are not - saw a couple of trees at the Nagoya Castle, in Miyajima, none at the Peace Park really. None in Himeji & one early bird in Osaka. Although we missed the sakura, the kids think this was the best road trip we've ever had.

Not bad- 5 cities- Nagoya, Iwakuni, Miyajima, Hiroshima & Osaka in 7 days- not a bad deal. Got to see our old friends & lots of new sights. It was a truly wonderful treat !!!

Temps were down again today. Will probably see more Sakura at the Koen this weekend.

Thanks again !!!

Aloha bmttokyo,

Good to hear from you again, I guess the sakura will have a later start this year.....I remember saying that earlier this year.

Head up north to Hirosaki later on in April around the 25th or so. It is a long train ride but well worth the effort imho. Do a weekend of it. Best sakura viewing I have ever seen.

Aloha!

I hope we can time the koyo viewing later this year correctly. We hope to be in Japan starting Oct 1 for viewing in NE Hokkaido and onward.....