In the bustling world of business travel arrangements that dominate our day-to-day routine, there’s a secret pleasure we reserve for our most discerning clients – a chance to take some time out and book a bespoke leisure trip, such as one we have worked on recently for a client who longed to witness Tokyo’s ephemeral cherry blossom season. As dedicated travel agents, orchestrating a leisure trip centred around these delicate blooms is a treasured opportunity, much like the blossoms themselves, as rare and remarkable as the fleeting petals.
Tokyo’s cherry blossom season is a coveted gem, a natural marvel that graces the city with a momentary burst of colour, transforming it into a captivating dreamscape. The allure of witnessing the blossom in full bloom is undeniable, but predicting the exact timing of this natural spectacle proves to be a puzzle worth solving—based on historical records, meteorological insights, and local expertise Tokyo’s cherry blossom season typically occurs in late March to early April. This timeframe, however, can vary slightly each year.
Thus, in this instance, we guide our clients to expand their stay, allowing for a flexible window to catch the blossoms at their zenith while also indulging in Japan’s other opulent cultural offerings, such as:
· board the Bullet Train bound for Hakone, a peaceful mountain resort in the foothills of Mt Fuji, spend the afternoon strolling the mountain paths, ride in a cable car for a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains and volcanic valleys of Owakudani, enjoy a wonderful cruise across Lake Ashi or visit Odawara Castle to see more beautiful cherry blossoms in the castle grounds
· visit to the city of Kyoto beginning with the beautiful temples and blossoming gardens of Kinkaku-ji, visit the Golden Pavilion and Sanjusangendo, a temple in eastern Kyoto renowned for its 1,001 unique standing Bodhisattva statues or a visit to Kiyomizudera, a hillside temple offering fabulous views over the city. A very special experience is to enjoy a walk in the famous Geisha district of Gion followed by a very special experience in company of an apprentice Geisha.
· take a trip to Uji famous for the most delicious green tea, visit a lovely tea shop that provides tea to the Shoguns and Imperial family. Visit Byodoin Temple to be found depicted on the back of a 10-yen coin and then head to the sleepy town of Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital to visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha
· head to the moving city of Hiroshima, visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, and Peace Memorial Museum, take a short train and ferry ride to the beautiful island of Miyajima, once considered so sacred that commoners were forbidden. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic views of the o-torii of Itsukushima Shrine, one of the most famous sights in Japan and board the cable car to the top of Mt Misen for great views of the surrounding area…
Back in Tokyo, the petals descend and the season draws to a close, the memories forged during this exceptional departure from the corporate world linger on. While the business travel landscape remains our professional domain, curating such rare and bespoke experiences provides respite from the routine for those accustomed to the boardroom and the airport lounge. Our guilty pleasure for creating extraordinary journeys always brings a smile, leaving the question of “where to next?” lingering in the air.
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