JAPAN 2025 – SAKURA, THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SPECTACLE from OTP

Day 1 (27.03.2025) Bucharest Otopeni – Munich – Tokyo Haneda

At 03:00 AM, meet at Henri Coanda International Airport-Otopeni to meet the Cocktail Holidays representative and board flight LH 1655 with Lufthansa to Munich. Departure from Otopeni at 06:00, arriving in Munich at 07:15. From Munich, we will board flight LH 714, departing at 12:45, arriving in Tokyo Haneda at 09:05 (+1).

Day 2 (28.03.2025) Tokyo

After arriving at Haneda Airport, we collect our luggage and take the bus to the city center for an orientation tour and lunch break. In the afternoon, we continue our journey towards the hotel, passing by the Rainbow Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, through Odaiba, and then transfer to the hotel. Tokyo is Japan’s capital, an important economic and cultural center, with a modern character harmoniously integrated with tourist attractions. Accommodation at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo - Bay Ariake 3* superior

Day 3 (29.03.2025) Tokyo

Breakfast. In the morning, we start a city tour by bus in Tokyo where we will admire the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan's imperial family. We will stroll through Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular areas to view cherry blossoms. Over 1000 cherry trees surround the central paths. Cherry blossoms usually bloom at the end of March and beginning of April, attracting numerous hanami parties (cherry blossom viewing). Next, we visit Asakusa and the Asakusa Sensoji Temple. We will stroll down the famous Nakamise shopping street and in the afternoon, visit Tokyo Sky Tree, one of Tokyo's major tourist attractions, standing 634 meters tall, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the city. In the evening, we will participate in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, a Zen-inspired ritual where tea is prepared and served to guests by an initiated person. This ceremony holds significant meaning in Japanese culture. Accommodation at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo - Bay Ariake 3* superior

Day 4 (30.03.2025) Tokyo – Mount Fuji

Breakfast. At 09:30, we head towards Mount Fuji for a beautiful cruise on Lake Kawaguchi. After lunch, we proceed to Oshino Hakkai, a small village located in a fairy-tale setting, ideal for relaxation. The term Hakkai means “eight ponds,” referring to the eight natural pools formed from 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 view of Mount Fuji. Accommodation at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo - Bay Ariake 3* superior

Day 5 (31.03.2025) Yokohama – Kamakura

Breakfast. In the morning, we 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 Japan’s first capital. It flourished between the 12th and 14th centuries, a period also associated with the development of Buddhism and the introduction of Zen from China. We will visit the Kotokuin Temple and the Great Buddha Statue, a symbol of the city, cast in 1252, and considered the protector of the people of Eastern Japan. We continue our adventure with a visit to Minato Mirai, the Future Port, a tourist area on the oceanfront with numerous leisure options. We will then head to Yokohama’s Chinatown for a stroll and free time. In the evening, prepare a carry-on bag with essentials for a 2-night stay in Hiroshima. Accommodation at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo - Bay Ariake 3* superior

Day 6 (01.04.2025) Tokyo – Hiroshima

Breakfast. In the morning, we send our luggage via express courier to Osaka (1 bag per person). We keep our carry-on bag with essentials for a 2-night stay in Hiroshima. After breakfast, we go on a city tour in Tokyo, visiting the Samurai Nija Museum, where we will discover Japanese history, spirit, and culture through a special presentation on the history of the samurai, with lessons and demonstrations. In the afternoon, we take the Shinkansen Nozomi 41 high-speed train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, we will be transferred to the hotel. Accommodation at APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi 3* link

Day 7 (02.04.2025) Hiroshima

Breakfast. In the morning, we visit the Hiroshima Museum, Peace Memorial Park, and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Hiroshima is a city located in the southwestern part of Honshu Island, in the center of Hiroshima Bay. Built in 1594 from 6 islands in the Ota River delta, it continuously developed first as a fortress city, becoming the main military center of the country by 1868. Considered a strategic military point during World War II, on August 6, 1945, American air forces dropped the first atomic bomb targeting the city center. The explosion killed or made missing about 60,000-70,000 people, and the city was entirely destroyed. In 1949, Hiroshima was declared the "International Altar of Peace," and every year on August 6, hundreds of thousands of people participate in peace demonstrations against violence and nuclear weapons. In the afternoon, we head to Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine with its symbolic torii gate, built offshore, which offers a surreal and unique view when surrounded by water during high tide. Accommodation at APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi 3* link

Day 8 (03.04.2025) Hiroshima – Kobe – Osaka

Breakfast. We depart for Osaka with a stop and lunch break in Kobe. Kobe, along with Osaka and Kyoto, forms the Keihanshin metropolitan area and is the seventh-largest city in Japan. At 14:30, we arrive at Kobe Harborland, a commercial and recreational area on the waterfront, with shops and restaurants, and we will walk on Maiko Marine—a famous promenade built on the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge, approximately 47 meters above the sea and about 317 meters long, with a view over the Akashi Strait. Accommodation at APA Hotel Shin Osaka Eki Tower 4*

Day 9 (04.04.2025) Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka

Breakfast. After breakfast, we depart for a city tour in Kyoto—one of Japan’s oldest metropolises and a renowned industrial, financial, and commercial center of the Hanshin economic region. We will visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) (UNESCO World Heritage)—a Zen temple whose upper two floors are completely covered with gold leaf. In the afternoon, we stroll through the Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama. In Japan, bamboo holds significant meaning, representing a barrier against malevolent forces; thus, several temples are surrounded by bamboo forests. In China, it symbolizes longevity, and in India, friendship. The meditative sound of the Bamboo Grove’s rustling is so wonderful that it was recorded by authorities in the "100 Sounds of Japan." Accommodation at APA Hotel Shin Osaka Eki Tower 4*

Day 10 (05.04.2025) Osaka

Breakfast. At 09:30, we start a city tour of Osaka, visiting Nishinomaru Garden—a garden with over 600 cherry trees, a tea house, and the former guesthouse of Osaka. We continue our journey to the Umeda Shopping Center with a photo stop at Osaka Castle—the symbol of the city’s culture and history. Osaka is located in the Kansai region of Japan's main island, Honshu, on the banks of the Yodo River, which flows into Osaka Bay. We will stroll through Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s most famous shopping street, and visit Dotonbori, a district renowned for its neon lights, extravagant signage, and numerous restaurants serving local street food specialties. Accommodation at APA Hotel Shin Osaka Eki Tower 4*

Day 11 (06.04.2025) Nara

Breakfast. After breakfast, we will depart for a city tour of Nara, where we will visit Kasuga Taisha – the most important Shinto shrine in Nara, its buildings set in a breathtaking natural setting of forests, paths, lanterns, and semi-domesticated deer.

We continue our walk through Nara Park, renowned as the "City of Deer," home to over 1,200 deer living in perfect harmony with nature. These deer are considered messengers of the Shinto deities from the earliest generations.

Nara, a former capital of Japan (since 710), is also where we will visit Todaiji Temple – the largest wooden structure in the world, housing Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue, Daibutsu (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Afterward, you will have free time to explore.

In the evening, we will enjoy an included traditional dinner in Osaka.

Accommodation: APA Hotel Shin Osaka Eki Tower 4*

Day 12 (06.04.2025) Osaka – Munich – Bucharest

Breakfast. At 09:00, we depart for Kansai International Airport and board flight LH 717 with Lufthansa to Munich at 11:15. Arrival in Munich at 16:00 and flight LH 1654 at 19:35 to Bucharest Otopeni, arriving at 22:35.