Gigi086

Hi, I'm already planning cherry blossom tour to Japan for two. I'm choosing between Yamanishi (Kawaguchi-ko area) and Tohoku. Most likely will land at Tokyo, take a train to the closest train station and drive around from there.

1. Between Yamanishi and Tohoku, which one is better?
2. Do you have a sample itinerary?

kja

If there is any chance that you will have jet lag, then please reconsider picking up a rental car immediately upon arrival, instead giving yourself at least a day or two to recover. Although many people are not aware of it, driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourselves and others -- as driving drunk. And the chief problem -- microsleeps -- are something you might not even be aware of and that you cannot prevent, not with caffeine or sleep on your flight or anything else.

LuisJp

Cherry blossom lasts only a week, and the peak itself could be less than a day. For such a chance event, selecting only one prefecture, Yamanashi could be risky, though you might enjoy Mount Fuji as well. Tohoku comprises from six prefectures in the north to south direction. You would have more chances in Tohoku, likely more than 10 days in series.

If I were you, I would base in Tokyo for the whole period. Depending the actual status, cherry blossom and weather, pick up a day and a destination, then move to either Kawaguchi-ko or other site in Tohoku. Go there by the fastest method and go around. You could use a car, if you would like to.

Cherry Blossom Report by japan-guide.com for the next year could be a good guide. Here is the last one:
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura16/

mrwunrfl

For Tohoku + cherry blossoms the one place that popped in my brain is Kakunodate. That area, including Towadako and Nyuto Onsen would be really good for a self-drive (I used public transport when visiting Kakunodate and Nyuto).

I know hawaiiantraveler visited there during cb season and might have used a car.

Instead of getting there from Tokyo on the shinkansen you might be able to get a connecting flight to Akita. Or fly from Akita to Tokyo before your international flight.

mrwunrfl

Osaka castle in a park, no hill climbing, and has an elevator inside. It is worth visiting.

You mentioned bullet train, scenic rail, small town.

Bullet train from Kyoto to Okayama, connect to a train to Shikoku for the scenic ride across the Seto-Ohashi bridge, and a small town somewhere on Shikoku (I know not where).

Here is a scenic train near Kyoto: www.japan-guide.com/e/e3965.html

mrwunrfl

oops, wrong thread

Kavey

Cherry blossoms last a bit longer than a week BUT that's including the different varieties of cherry trees, all of which bloom at different times. When sakura sites give peak date estimates, they're talking about the main species and when it will likely to be in best condition. But even if you're a bit early or late, you should see other varieties blooming. Of course, they are not all planted in as much abundance to give the same effect.

Gigi086

Thanks all. I've decided Tohoku, which I think scenic, less traveled, and good for road trip. Please share what's a must in Tohoku. I'll start my driving trip at Sendai.

LuisJp

In Tohoku, 14 sites are nominated as Sakura 100.
http://sp.jorudan.co.jp/hanami/sights_kto.html
Another, pick up 15 sites.
https://retrip.jp/articles/23907/

Here are all the nominated sites listed roughly from south to north.
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/

Fukushima
o Miharu Takizakura (2nd in the Top 15 / Not on the Sakura 100)
http://www.takizakura.com/
o Nihonmatsu Kasumiga-jo Castle Park (6/100)
http://www.nihonmatsu-kanko.jp/?p=620
o Aizu Tsuruga-jo Castle Park (4/100)
http://www.aizukanko.com/kk/festival/sakura-matsuri

Miyagi
o Shiroishi Ogawara River Bank (-/100)
http://sp.jorudan.co.jp/hanami/spot_25.html
o Funaoka-joshi Castle Ruin Park (3/100)
http://www.skbk.or.jp/sakura/#anchor_jyoshi
Both are almost in the same area.
http://www.skbk.or.jp/en/shibata-cherry-blossom/

Yamagata
o Nanyo Eboshiyama Park (10/100)
http://yamagatakanko.com/spotdetail/?data_id=7511
o Tendo Park (8/-)
https://www.city.tendo.yamagata.jp/t...12388;り
o Tsuruoka Park (14/100)
https://www.tsuruokakanko.com/season/sakura/index.html

Iwate
o Kitakami Tenshochi (5/100)
http://sakura.kitakami-kanko.jp/index.html
o Morioka Takamatsu Pond (11/100)
o Morioka Castle Ruin Park (15/-)
http://www.odette.or.jp/?page_id=1263#

Akita
o Yokote Mato Park (9/100)
http://www.geocities.jp/ishishin10/k...matokouen.html
o Akita Senshu Park (12/100)
http://www.acvb.or.jp/sightseeing/sakura.html
o Senboku Bukeyashiki (13/100)
o Kakunodate Hinoki River Bank (-/100)
http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/language/...ts/spring.html

Aomori
o Hirosaki Park (1/100)
http://www.hirosakipark.jp/en/
o Goshigawara Kanagi Ashino Park (7/100)
http://www.aptinet.jp/Detail_display_00001465.html

I suggest to put pins on Google Maps for all of these, first.