JAPAN 2025 – SAKURA, THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SPECTACLE departure from Cluj 30.03.2025

Day 1 (30.03.2025) Cluj-Napoca – Istanbul – Tokyo Haneda

At 18:00, meet at Avram Iancu International Airport, Cluj-Napoca, for the Cocktail Holidays agency representative and board flight TK 1348 operated by Turkish Airlines to Istanbul. Departure from Cluj-Napoca at 21:00, arriving in Istanbul at 22:45. From Istanbul, board flight TK 198 at 02:00, final destination Tokyo Haneda, arriving at 19:20 (+1).

Day 2 (31.03.2025) Tokyo

Upon arrival at Haneda Airport, transfer to the hotel.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com), hotel link.

Day 3 (01.04.2025) Tokyo

Morning city tour of Tokyo by coach. Highlights include the Imperial Palace, residence of Japan’s Imperial family, and a walk through Ueno Park, famous for its cherry blossoms. Over 1,000 cherry trees line the park’s central paths, blooming from late March to early April. Continue to Asakusa to visit Sensoji Temple and explore the famous Nakamise shopping street. In the afternoon, visit Tokyo Sky Tree, offering panoramic views of the city from its 634-meter height. In the evening, participate in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, inspired by Zen Buddhism.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com),

Day 4 (02.04.2025) Tokyo – Mount Fuji

At 09:30, depart for Mount Fuji, where you'll enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Kawaguchi. After lunch, visit Oshino Hakkai, a quaint village with eight natural ponds formed by historic volcanic eruptions. In the afternoon, visit a visitor center with a viewpoint of Mount Fuji.Accommodation at Tokyo East Side Hotel Kaie 4* (superb 9.1 Booking.com),

Day 5 (03.04.2025) Yokohama – Kamakura

Morning coach trip to Yokohama and Kamakura, the first capital of Japan. Visit Kotokuin Temple and see the iconic Great Buddha statue, cast in 1252. Continue to Minato Mirai in Yokohama, a vibrant waterfront area. Free time in China Town. In the evening, pack an overnight bag for 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 via courier to Osaka (1 luggage per person). We will keep with us our carry-on bag with the essentials for 2 nights in Hiroshima. After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour in Tokyo, visiting the Samurai Nija Museum, where we are invited to discover the history, spirit, and culture of Japan in its purest form, participating in a special presentation about the history of the samurai, complete with lessons and demonstrations. In the afternoon, we will take the Shinkansen Nozomi 41 high-speed train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, we will be picked up for a transfer 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 a city located in the southwest of Honshu Island, at the center of Hiroshima Bay. Built in 1594 on six islands in the delta of the Ota River, it developed continuously, first as a castle town and becoming the main military center of the country by 1868. Considered a strategic military point during World War II, on August 6, 1945, American forces dropped the first atomic bomb targeting the city center. As a result of the explosion, approximately 60,000–70,000 people died or went missing, and the city was completely destroyed. In 1949, Hiroshima was declared the "International Peace Memorial," and every year on August 6, hundreds of thousands of people participate in demonstrations for peace, against violence and nuclear weapons. In the afternoon, we will head to Miyajima, where we will visit the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, featuring the iconic torii gate of Shintoism, built offshore. During high tide, it is surrounded by water, offering an unreal and unique view.

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

Day 8 (06.04.2025) Hiroshima – Kobe – Osaka

We will depart for Osaka, stopping for lunch in Kobe. Kobe, along with Osaka and Kyoto, forms the Keihanshin metropolitan area and is the seventh largest city in Japan. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Kobe Harborland, a renowned shopping and entertainment area located by the waterfront, featuring shops and restaurants. We will take a stroll along Maiko Marine, a promenade built on the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, situated approximately 47 meters above sea level and stretching a total of about 317 meters, offering views over the Akashi Strait.*Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4 (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)

Day 9 (07.04.2025) Osaka – Kyoto

After breakfast, we will depart for a city tour by bus in Kyoto, one of the oldest metropolises in Japan and a renowned industrial, financial, and commercial center of the Hanshin economic region. Here, we will visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Zen temple has two upper stories completely covered with gold leaf. In the afternoon, we will take a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. In Japan, bamboo holds significant meaning, representing a barrier against evil forces; thus, many temples are surrounded by bamboo forests. In China, bamboo symbolizes longevity, while in India, it symbolizes friendship. The natural meditative sound of the rustling bamboo is so wonderful that it has been recorded by authorities as one of the "100 Sounds of Japan."*Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4 (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)

Day 10 (08.04.2025) Osaka

We will embark on a city tour of Osaka, where we will visit Nishinomaru Garden, which hosts over 600 cherry trees, a tea house, and the former Osaka guesthouse. We will continue our journey to the shopping street Dotombori, with a photo stop at Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city's culture and history. Osaka is located in the Kansai region, on the main island of Japan, Honshu, by the Yodo River, and is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo.*Accommodation at Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower 4 (rated 8.3 on Booking.com)

Day 11 (09.04.2025) Nara

After breakfast, we will depart for a city tour in Nara, where we will visit Kasuga Taisha, the most important Shinto shrine in Nara, set in a dreamlike natural setting: forests, paths, lanterns, and semi-domesticated deer. We will continue our walk through Nara Park, known as the City of Deer, where over 1,200 deer live in harmony with nature. These deer are considered messengers of the Shinto deities of the early generations. Nara was the capital of Japan starting in 710. We will also visit Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden structure in the world, which houses the largest bronze Buddha in Japan, Daibutsu (a UNESCO World Heritage site). After the visit, we will have 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)

Day 12 (10.04.2025) Osaka – Osaka Airport – Istanbul

After breakfast, we will embark on a city tour in Osaka, making a brief stop for photos at Umeda Sky Building, an iconic skyscraper that offers an observation deck with panoramic views of the city. We will continue our journey to Umeda Shopping, an important commercial area known for its variety of shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options. At 17:00, we will transfer to Osaka Airport, where we will check in for our return flight TK 87, departing from Osaka at 21:55 and arriving in Istanbul at 05:00 (+1).

Day 13 (11.04.2025) Istanbul – Cluj-Napoca

From Istanbul, we will board flight TK 1047, departing at 07:05 and arriving in Cluj-Napoca at 08:40.