JAPAN 2025 – SAKURA, THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SPECTACLE departure from Bucharest 30.03.25

Day 1 (March 30, 2025) Bucharest Otopeni – Istanbul – Tokyo Haneda

At 18:30, presentation at Henri Coandă International Airport in Otopeni for meeting with the representative of Cocktail Holidays and boarding flight TK 1046 operated by Turkish Airlines to Istanbul. Departure from Otopeni at 21:40, arriving in Istanbul at 23:10. From Istanbul, board flight TK 198, departing at 02:00, with a final destination of Tokyo Haneda, arriving at 19:20 (+1).

Day 2 (March 31, 2025) Tokyo

After arriving at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, we will collect our luggage and transfer to the hotel.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com), hotelkaie.jp

Day 3 (April 1, 2025) Tokyo

In the morning, we will depart on a city tour of Tokyo by bus, where we will admire the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Imperial Family of Japan, as we pass by. We will stroll through Ueno Park, one of the most popular areas in Tokyo, renowned for its cherry blossoms. Over 1,000 cherry trees surround the central walkways, and they usually bloom at the end of March and the beginning of April, attracting numerous hanami parties (cherry blossom viewing celebrations). Next, we will head to Asakusa to visit Sensoji Temple. We will explore the famous Nakamise shopping street, and in the afternoon, we will visit Tokyo Sky Tree, one of Tokyo’s main tourist attractions. Standing at 634 meters, it is one of the tallest structures in the world and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. In the evening, we will participate in the Tea Ceremony, a traditional Japanese ritual inspired by Zen Buddhism, where tea is prepared by an initiated person and served to guests. This ceremony has a profound significance in Japanese culture.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com), hotelkaie.jp

Day 4 (April 2, 2025) Tokyo – Mount Fuji

At 09:30, we will depart for Mount Fuji, where we will enjoy a beautiful cruise on Lake Kawaguchi. After a lunch break, we will head to Oshino Hakkai, a small village situated in a fairy-tale setting, perfect for relaxation. The word Hakkai means "eight seas," referring to the eight natural pools formed by historical eruptions and intense volcanic activity, which are the main attraction in Oshino Hakkai. In the afternoon, we will visit a visitor center with a viewpoint of Mount Fuji.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com), hotelkaie.jp

Day 5 (April 3, 2025) Yokohama – Kamakura



In the morning, we will depart by bus to Yokohama and Kamakura. Kamakura is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains, forests, and the sea, located between Yokohama and Tokyo, and was the first capital of Japan. It experienced a flourishing period between the 12th and 14th centuries, coinciding with the development of Buddhism and the introduction of Zen religion from China. We will visit Kotokuin Temple and the Great Buddha Statue, a symbol of the city, cast in 1252 and considered the protector of the residents of East Japan. We will continue our adventure with a visit to Minato Mirai, known as the Port of the Future, a tourist area by the ocean with numerous leisure options. We will then proceed to Chinatown in Yokohama, where we will take a stroll and have free time. In the evening, we need to prepare our hand luggage with essentials for the 2-night stay in Hiroshima.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com),

Day 6 (04.04.2025) Tokyo – Hiroshima

In the morning, we will send our main luggage to Osaka via express courier (1 bag per person). We will keep a small hand luggage with essentials for two nights in Hiroshima. After breakfast, we will take a city tour in Tokyo, visiting the Samurai Ninja Museum, where we will explore the pure history, spirit, and culture of Japan, with a special presentation on the history of the samurai, including lessons and demonstrations. In the afternoon, we will take the high-speed Shinkansen Nozomi 41 train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, we will be transferred to the hotel.

Accommodation at ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima, an IHG Hotel 4* (rated 7.9 on Booking.com)

Day 7 (05.04.2025) Hiroshima



We will visit the Hiroshima Museum, the Peace Memorial Park, and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Hiroshima is located in the southwest of Honshu Island, in the heart of Hiroshima Bay. Established in 1594 on six islands in the Ota River Delta, the city grew continuously, first as a castle town and later becoming the country’s main military hub in 1868. Considered a strategic military point during WWII, on August 6, 1945, the U.S. Air Force dropped the first atomic bomb, targeting the city center. Approximately 60,000-70,000 people perished or were declared missing, and the city was completely destroyed. In 1949, Hiroshima was declared an "International City of Peace," and every year on August 6, hundreds of thousands participate in peace demonstrations against violence and nuclear weapons. In the afternoon, we will head to Miyajima Island to visit the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, famous for its symbolic gate built in the water. During high tide, the gate appears surrounded by water, creating a surreal and unique sight.

Accommodation at ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima, an IHG Hotel 4*

Day 8 (06.04.2025) Hiroshima – Kobe – Osaka

We will depart for Osaka, with a stop and lunch break in Kobe. Kobe, together with Osaka and Kyoto, forms the Keihanshin metropolitan area and is the seventh-largest city in Japan. In the afternoon, we will visit Kobe Harborland, a famous shopping and leisure district located along the waterfront, featuring numerous shops and restaurants. We will also stroll along Maiko Marine Promenade, a walkway built on the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, about 47 meters above sea level and stretching approximately 317 meters, offering breathtaking views over the Akashi Strait.Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4* (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)Hotel details

Day 9 (07.04.2025) Osaka – Kyoto

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour by bus in Kyoto, one of Japan’s oldest metropolises and a renowned industrial, financial, and commercial hub of the Hanshin economic region. We will visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine and Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Zen temple’s top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. In the afternoon, we will explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. In Japan, bamboo symbolizes a barrier against evil forces, which is why many temples are surrounded by bamboo groves. In China, bamboo symbolizes longevity, and in India, it represents friendship. The natural, meditative rustling of the bamboo is so enchanting that it has been included in Japan’s list of "100 Soundscapes."Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4* (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)Hotel details

Day 10 (08.04.2025) Osaka

We will go on a city tour of Osaka, visiting Nishinomaru Garden, which houses over 600 cherry trees, a tea house, and the former Osaka Guest House. The tour continues to the bustling commercial artery Dotombori, with a photo stop at Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city’s culture and history. Osaka, located in the Kansai region on Honshu Island, along the Yodo River, is Japan’s second-largest city after Tokyo.Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4* (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)Hotel details

Day 11 (09.04.2025) Nara

After breakfast, we will depart for a city tour of Nara, where we will visit Kasuga Taisha, the most important Shinto shrine in Nara, set in a dreamlike natural landscape of forests, paths, lanterns, and semi-tame deer. We will continue our walk through Nara Park, also known as the City of Deer, home to over 1,200 deer living in harmony with nature. These deer are considered messengers of the Shinto gods from the earliest generations. Nara was Japan’s capital starting in 710. We will also visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building, housing Japan’s largest bronze Buddha, Daibutsu (a UNESCO World Heritage site). After the tour, there will be free time. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional dinner (included in the program) in Osaka.Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4* (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)Hotel details

Day 12 (10.04.2025) Osaka – Osaka Airport – Istanbul

After breakfast, we will take a final city tour of Osaka, with a photo stop at the Umeda Sky Building, an iconic skyscraper with an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city. We will continue to Umeda Shopping, a major retail district known for its wide variety of shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options. At 17:00, we will transfer to Osaka Airport for check-in on return flight TK 87, departing Osaka at 21:55 and arriving in Istanbul at 05:00 (+1).

Day 13 (11.04.2025) Istanbul – Bucharest Otopeni

From Istanbul, we will board flight TK 1043, departing at 06:50 and arriving in Bucharest Otopeni at 08:10.