Enjoy Shiga’s spring highlights with cherry blossom views at Kaizu Osaki along Lake Biwa and a stunning “sea of sakura” surrounding National Treasure Hikone Castle, followed by a hotel lunch buffet. Along the way, admire over 600 cherry trees lining the 6 km Windmill Road from the bus window, one of the area’s top cherry blossom spots.
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The Highlight
- Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossoms – Visit one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” renowned for its beautiful sakura scenery.
- Hikone Castle Moat Cherry Blossoms – Enjoy cherry blossoms blooming along the moat of National Treasure Hikone Castle.
- Nagahama Castle Admission – Enter Nagahama Castle and take in panoramic views of a breathtaking “sea of cherry blossoms.”
- Windmill Road Scenic Drive – Admire approximately 6 km of continuous cherry blossom trees from the bus window along Windmill Road.
- Hotel Lunch Buffet by Lake Biwa – Enjoy a lunch buffet at a hotel located on the shores of Lake Biwa.
The Experience
Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossoms – Visit one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” renowned for its beautiful sakura scenery.
- This is one of Shiga Prefecture’s most representative cherry blossom destinations, where approximately 800 vibrant Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom along a 4 km stretch of the Lake Biwa shoreline. The tunnel of cherry blossoms formed by the Somei Yoshino trees creates a striking contrast with the blue waters of Lake Biwa, making it a popular spot for photography.
Typical Best Viewing Period: Early to mid-April Please note: It takes about a 20-minute walk from the parking area to Kaizu Osaki.
Hikone Castle Moat Cherry Blossoms – Enjoy cherry blossoms blooming along the moat of National Treasure Hikone Castle.
- Along with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Matsue Castle, this castle is designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Around 1,100 cherry trees bloom mainly along the castle moat, creating breathtaking scenery as the blossoms reflect on the water’s surface and harmonize beautifully with the stone walls and white castle structures.
Typical Best Viewing Period: Late March to mid-April Please note: Admission to Hikone Castle requires a separate entrance fee (adults: 1,000 yen).
Nagahama Castle Admission – Enter Nagahama Castle and take in panoramic views of a breathtaking “sea of cherry blossoms.”
- Hōkōen Park is a large public park spread across the former site of Nagahama Castle, once the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” Admission to the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum is included, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of the cherry blossoms across Hōkōen Park from the castle keep.
Typical Best Viewing Period: Early to mid-April
Hotel Lunch Buffet by Lake Biwa – Enjoy a lunch buffet at a hotel located on the shores of Lake Biwa.
- Dine in a bright, glass-enclosed space filled with natural light and scenic views, where you can enjoy freshly fried tempura from the live kitchen and a variety of handmade obanzai dishes to your heart’s content.
Buffet Menu (Sample): Freshly fried tempura, assorted obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style side dishes), fresh vegetables from local farms, individual hot pot with savory dashi broth, curry, fried chicken, mini udon, petite desserts, and soft drinks.
Please note:
- Lunch may be served around 2:00 PM depending on restaurant congestion.
- Menu items are subject to change depending on ingredient availability.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ Information about Tour Place of departure and destination: From Osaka to Shiga Number of days of travel: 1 day Means of transportation: Bus Name of bus company: International Motor Vehicles Osaka or equivalent Meal(s): Lunch 1 Minimum number of passengers to operate. 20 Number of GUIDE：1
Tour Operator Information Company Name: H.I.S. Co., Ltd. Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team Address: Mainichi Intecio 16F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN Registration No: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency Membership: Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Contact Information Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team Address: Mainichi Intecio 15F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN Tel: +81- 50-1745-1444 Opening hour:10:00~18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
General Travel Services Manager: Eri Tomiyama *The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office, handling your travel arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and Conditions below. Travel Terms and Conditions: Domestic Package Tours Travel Agency Terms and Conditions: Section of Package Tour Contract
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- Japanese
Itinerary
- Include: Lunch
- 08:00Depart Umeda (Meeting time: 7:45 / Departure: 8:00) ※ On April 4, 5, 11, and 12, the meeting and departure times will be 30 minutes earlier (Meeting: 7:15 / Departure: 7:30).
- Windmill Road (Scenic drive past approximately 6 km of cherry blossom-lined road, viewed from the bus)
- Kaizu Osaki (Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots; enjoy a stroll among the spectacular cherry trees along the shores of Lake Biwa / approx. 30 minutes)
- Imazu Sunbridge Hotel (Lunch buffet at a hotel located on the shores of Lake Biwa / approx. 60 minutes)
- Hōkōen Park & Nagahama Castle Historical Museum (Cherry blossom viewing at Hōkōen Park and admission to the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum / approx. 60 minutes)
- Hikone Castle Area (Enjoy viewing approximately 1,100 cherry trees in bloom along the castle moat / approx. 60 minutes)
- 18:30Return to Umeda (Approx. 18:30)
Price Details
Add-on Items
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- This tour is a Japanese tour. The tour conductor will provide language support using a translator (Pocket Talk).
- This is not a private tour; you will enjoy the tour with other guests.
- If the minimum number of participants (20) is not met by (14) days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date might be canceled.
- Cherry blossom viewing periods may vary depending on weather conditions each year; however, the tour will operate regardless of bloom status. (Typical best viewing periods: Kaizu Osaki: early to mid-April; Hōkōen Park: early to mid-April; Hikone Castle: late March to mid-April.)
- Cherry blossom viewing involves walking, so please wear comfortable clothing and easy-to-walk shoes.
- At Kaizu Osaki, there is an approximately 20-minute flat walk from the parking area to the cherry blossom avenue.
- Lunch contents may be changed without prior notice depending on ingredient availability.
- Depending on restaurant congestion, lunch may be served around 2:00 PM.
If cherry blossoms cannot be enjoyed due to blooming conditions, alternative arrangements may be made:
- Kaizu Osaki: viewing from the bus or a visit to the Metasequoia Tree-Lined Road
- Hōkōen Park: a stroll around Kurokabe Square
- Hikone: a walk along Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road
Important Booking Information
Important Notes During Bus Tour
- Please refrain from drinking alcohol on the bus.
- Members of the odd-numbered group may need to share seats with other passengers on the bus.
- As stipulated by Japanese law, please wear your seat belt on the tour bus.
- Please remain seated and avoid walking while the tour bus is moving.
- Seating on the bus is assigned by H.I.S staff. Please do not change your seat during the tour.
- Please be punctual and arrive at the designated meeting place on time. The bus will depart on time and will not wait for latecomers.
- Latecomers who wish to rejoin the group will be responsible for all transportation fees. 8.Please wear the sticker provided by the tour guide visibly.
- Avoid sticking the sticker on leather goods, as it may leave marks.
- Do not use the seat reclining function or adjust the seat settings.
- Please set all electronic devices, including mobile phones and game consoles, to silent mode.
- Talking on mobile phones and making video calls are prohibited on the tour bus.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited on the tour bus.
- Arrival times at each sightseeing spot may vary depending on traffic conditions.
- The use of drones for filming or other purposes is prohibited during the tour.
- Please do not use perfume, sprays, or change baby diapers on the bus, as it may disturb other passengers.
- Manage your valuable belongings yourself.
- After the tour, please take all your trash with you and do not leave any on the bus.
- Ensure you do not forget or leave any personal belongings on the bus after the tour.
- For fruit-picking tours, please note that fruit is to be consumed only on the farm. Bringing it home in your own bag is strictly prohibited.
- If you fail to follow these regulations and cause a disturbance on the bus, you may be asked to leave the bus, even during the tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 11 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 10 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, Non-refundable (0% refund)
