SAKURA IN JAPAN
New history...
9 DAYS
24 PEOPLE
3890 EURO
New program, new places, new impressions!
Let’s set off to fairytale Japan during the cherry blossom season.
Here we will learn to enjoy the ancient tradition of hanami — admiring blossoms and reflecting on the transience of life. We will get to know the daily life and traditions of this ancient country.
We will stroll through old and modern streets, temples, and castles of Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji, and discover the contemporary wonders of Osaka and Tokyo. We will admire the legendary spring Mount Fuji.
We will feel like Japanese, even if only for a moment, and bring home a piece of the Land of the Rising Sun in our hearts.
We have carefully thought through every detail of the journey. Comfortable, wonderful, trusted, and cozy 4★ hotels. Delicious included breakfasts and some lunches with authentic Japanese dishes and unexpected local delicacies you’ll be telling your friends about for a long time.
Special moments that stay in your memory forever:
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dinner with sumo wrestlers and a sumo experience in Tokyo;
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meditation together with the head monk of an ancient Zen Buddhist temple;
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walks in authentic kimono along Kyoto’s streets among blooming sakura;
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a private calligraphy lesson (shodō);
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performances by famous geisha and maiko at the Kitano Odori festival;
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thousands of incredible photos and the feeling of becoming part of Japan’s new history.
Japan is, above all, a country of traditions. One of the most revered national traditions is the cultivation of sakura. According to a Japanese legend, the custom of hanami — admiring blooming cherry blossoms — prolongs life to one hundred years.
OUR FILM ABOUT MAGICAL JAPAN
EXPEDITION LEADER
ROUTE THREAD
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Tokyo
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Tokyo → Mount Fuji
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Mount Fuji → Kyoto
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Kyoto
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Kyoto
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Nara
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Himeji → Osaka
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Kyoto → Tokyo
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ickets for high-speed Bullet Trains — Shinkansen;
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private comfortable buses;
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excursions with professional local guides fluent in Japanese and Russian;
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accommodation in trusted 4★ hotels with double occupancy (single occupancy — on request and for an additional fee);
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all entrance tickets to museums and national landmarks listed in the program.
Excursions:
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Tokyo: Ginza, Nihonbashi and Marunouchi, Asakusa district, Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Street, Shibuya Crossing and the statue of the loyal dog Hachiko;
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Fuji – Kawaguchiko: Chureito Pagoda, a traditional village with views of Mount Fuji, Shiraito Waterfall (“White Threads”);
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Kyoto: the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, the rock garden of Ryoan-ji Temple, the Gion geisha district, Nijo Shogun’s Castle, traditional Kyoto streets Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera (Temple of Pure Water), visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with its corridor of red torii gates;
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Nara: Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine, the park of tame deer;
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Osaka: the new Osaka Station and its observation decks, Umeda and Namba districts, Midosuji Boulevard, Dotonbori district, Ebisu Bridge;
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Himeji: visit to Himeji Castle — the White Heron Castle.
Also included:
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sumo experience in Tokyo — dinner with sumo wrestlers;
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private Japanese calligraphy lesson;
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tickets to the spring geisha concert in the Kamishitaken quarter;
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meditation in an ancient Zen Buddhist temple with the head monk, tea ceremony at his residence;
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walks in authentic kimono along Kyoto’s streets among blooming sakura;
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meals: all breakfasts and some lunches;
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services of a Ukrainian group leader from the Paganel Studio team.
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flights from your city to Tokyo and back;
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meals not specified in the program;
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single room supplement;
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additional excursions and transportation on free days;
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visa processing costs;
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personal insurance;
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airport transfers.
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Price for Ukrainian citizens: USD 120–170
Application specifics: through a visa agency via courier in Warsaw or Chișinău
Citizenships that do NOT require a visa: USA, United Kingdom, EU
Citizenships that DO require a visa: Moldova, Kazakhstan (to be уточнено additionally)
ITINERARY
Day 1
04.04.2026
Arrival in Tokyo
Flights to Tokyo are possible to either of the city’s two airports:
Narita International Airport (NRT) — a more distant airport, and Haneda Airport (HND) — located within Tokyo city limits.
Transfer to the hotel is arranged independently, following the recommendations of the group coordinator.
From Narita Airport (NRT), we travel to the hotel by high-speed train.
If you arrive at Haneda Airport (HND), you can easily reach the hotel by taxi.
At the airport, you can exchange money at a currency exchange office and purchase a SIM card for constant internet access throughout the trip. We will also advise you on the eSIM option, which is very convenient during transfers and in places where internet access is limited — for example, in cafés and restaurants in Japan, internet is often unavailable.
Hotel check-in starts at 14:00. We settle in quickly: shower, restroom, hairdryer, elevator — and soon you are already standing in the hotel lobby, meeting our first local guide. Then we head out for our first city walk and introductory excursion, getting acquainted with the evening metropolis.
Most travelers begin their journey through Japan by discovering its capital — Tokyo. For many, it comes as a surprise that there is actually no “city” of Tokyo in the usual sense. Tokyo is a special prefecture, known as the Tokyo Metropolis — a conglomerate of districts and nearby settlements with city status. In addition to the areas along Tokyo Bay, Tokyo also includes numerous small islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Today we will stroll through the elegant Ginza district, illuminated by an ocean of neon signs. This area is home to boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Seiko, GR8 Boutique, and many others. Everything here is bright, beautiful, and ultra-modern.
n the autumn of 2025, an incredible event took place in Japan. Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki (Danylo Yavhushyn) from Vinnytsia won his first top-division Makuuchi tournament in Fukuoka. His phenomenal result of 12 wins and 3 losses, including two victories over reigning yokozuna, earned him the Emperor’s Cup and the Prime Minister of Japan’s Cup. Many Ukrainians became interested in sumo, and of course we could not miss the opportunity to show you what sumo wrestlers look like and to explain the rules and traditions of the wrestling ring.
Therefore, in the evening, after our sightseeing walk through Ginza, we head for a sumo experience combined with dinner, following the traditions of sumo wrestlers. Here you will see how bouts between wrestlers take place, try on a sumo wrestler’s costume yourself, and even attempt to move a wrestler inside the ring.
For dinner, we will be served the traditional sumo wrestlers’ soup — chicken chanko-nabe, as well as sukiyaki (Wagyu beef). The evening will be truly unusual and memorable.
Overnight stay in a comfortable 4★ hotel in the central Ginza district.
Meals are not included.
At the beginning of the trip, each participant will be provided with headphones for sightseeing. Please treat this gadget with care. At the end of the trip, the headphones must be returned. The penalty for loss is 100 euros.
Day 2
05.04.2026
Morning in Tokyo — Sightseeing and Transfer to Mount Fuji Area
We wake up in the morning and have breakfast at the hotel. We pack our suitcases and check out. With our luggage, we gather in the hotel lobby to meet the group leader, load our belongings onto a comfortable bus, and head out for our second sightseeing tour of Tokyo.
Today we will see the Asakusa district, the Senso-ji Buddhist Temple, the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the Nakamise shopping street, and also arrange a meeting with the loyal dog Hachiko near the busiest and most famous intersection in Tokyo — Shibuya Crossing.
During the excursion, lunch is included.
Our first stop is one of the oldest and most culturally rich areas of Tokyo — Asakusa, with its historic Nakamise shopping street and Senso-ji Temple, crowned by the majestic Kaminarimon Thunder Gate.
Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, founded in 645. As early as the Middle Ages, it became a symbol of the city and remains so today, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.
The impressive Kaminarimon Gate with its enormous paper lantern, the five-story pagoda, and the Nakamise shopping street leading to the temple help you imagine life in the Japanese capital before the era of skyscrapers and bullet trains.
Nakamise Street is an ancient shopping street in the Asakusa area, believed to be several hundred years old. Stretching for about 250 meters, it is lined on both sides with small shops selling traditional sweets and souvenirs. The street leads from the Kaminarimon Gate to the main grounds of Senso-ji Temple. Here you can watch how traditional Tokyo sweets ningyo-yaki are baked, taste crispy rice crackers, and feel the lively and colorful atmosphere of what is usually a calm and unhurried Japanese capital.
Before lunch, you will enjoy a private Japanese calligraphy lesson (shodō), where you will immerse yourself in the art of beautiful writing using brush, ink, and paper. Spirituality, harmony, and precision of each stroke are essential in this art. The technique involves holding the brush at the correct angle (about 45°), alternating pressure and release, and making movements from top to bottom and from left to right. The process itself becomes a meditative ritual that reflects the unique aesthetic of Japan.
After that, we head to the famous Shibuya Crossing near Shibuya Station — the busiest intersection in Tokyo and one of the liveliest in the world. When the traffic lights turn green from all four sides at once, several hundred people — and up to a thousand during rush hour — move simultaneously in every direction, skillfully avoiding one another with an ease perfected over the years.
This picturesque yet orderly human flow is beloved by filmmakers, and the crossing is known worldwide from TV series, feature films, and commercials.
Near Shibuya Station stands the monument to the loyal dog Hachiko, who met his owner, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at the same spot every day. After the professor’s sudden death, Hachiko continued coming to the station daily for nine years, waiting for his return. He first became a symbol of loyalty for local residents and later for all of Japan. In 2023, the Hachiko monument celebrated its 100th anniversary.
After the excursion, we return to our bus and travel to the Fuji–Kawaguchiko area. If we are lucky with clear skies, we will have a long-awaited meeting with Mount Fuji — the favorite mountain of Japanese artists and poets. At this time of year, it is already dressed in white and looks especially stunning in good weather. While on the road, we actively “cast spells” for perfect conditions.
Our hotel is located near Japan’s most famous mountain, so tonight we will spend the evening in the company of the Great Mount Fuji, which has also had a long day and deserves a bit of rest.
*Mount Fuji may not be visible in cloudy weather.
Overnight stay in a wonderful 4★ hotel, which offers views of the legendary Mount Fuji in clear weather.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3
06.04.2026
Mount Fuji Area Exploration and Transfer to Kyoto
After breakfast, we pack our suitcases, carry them to our private bus, load up, and set off on a fantastic guided excursion through the most fascinating areas around Mount Fuji. Perfect reflections of the mountain in the local lakes often become the target of true photo hunting for Japanese photographers who know all the best spots.
The graceful silhouette of Mount Fuji looks especially magnificent against the backdrop of cherry blossom petals near the Chureito Pagoda.
This is probably the most famous view in the world featuring cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji! You have definitely seen it many times before. And now, finally, you can take this iconic shot yourself. If we’re lucky with the timing of the blossoms, your photos and videos will absolutely explode your Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Very close to Mount Fuji lies Shiraito Falls, which translates as “White Threads.” Streams of water merge into a single symphony that sounds different in sunny and rainy weather alike. Against the dark background, the white ribbons of water appear even brighter and more elegant — a perfect place for stunning photographs.
At midday, we enjoy a delicious Japanese lunch.
After taking in all these extraordinary landscapes and picturesque locations, we make our way to Shizuoka Station, transfer from the bus to the comfortable Shinkansen bullet train, and head to the city of Kyoto.
Upon arrival, we check in to a 4★ hotel, where we will stay for the next four nights. Dinner is at your leisure. Time to relax and unwind.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 4
07.04.2026
And here we are — another beautiful spring day in Japan awaits us.
Today’s program: the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, the Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji Temple, and a performance by the famous Japanese geisha of the Kamishichiken district.
After breakfast, we board our private bus that is already waiting for us, meet our local guide, and set off to explore the amazing city of Kyoto.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan from the late 8th century until the mid-19th century. It is the country’s most important cultural and religious center, a place where traditions and crafts have been carefully preserved. In Kyoto, we will visit the most famous landmarks that have become symbols of the Ancient Capital.
Kinkaku-ji Temple — the Golden Pavilion — is the most iconic symbol of Kyoto. Built at the end of the 14th century and covered in a layer of pure gold, the pavilion reflects in the pond at its base and sparkles in the sunlight like a true jewel.
Nearby is Ryoan-ji Temple, which attracts visitors from all over the world with the mystery of its famous rock garden, promising enlightenment to those who can unravel its meaning. Lunch is included during the excursion.
After that, we head to the renowned Kamishichiken district, where geisha and young apprentices, known as maiko, live and work.
You can often encounter them here on the streets, dressed in traditional attire with classic hairstyles and makeup. Kamishichiken is one of the five active geisha districts in Kyoto and the oldest among them.
The district is located east of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and from late March, the stage of the Kaburenjo Theater hosts performances by geiko and maiko as part of the Kitano Odori Festival. We will be among the guests witnessing one of these beautiful performances.
After the show, we return to the hotel. Free time. Dinner. Rest.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Day 5
08.04.2026
After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide and set off to discover even more of mysterious Kyoto — a city where every street corner preserves the memory of centuries past.
We begin the day with a visit to Nijo Castle, the former residence of the shoguns, where the wooden floors famously “sing,” and the interiors tell stories of power, beauty, and the refined aesthetics of ancient Japan.
Built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The palace of the second courtyard is recognized as a National Treasure of Japan.
Next, we are in for a truly special experience — meditation in a Zen Buddhist temple.
In silence, guided by a monk, we pause, calm our thoughts, and experience Kyoto not as tourists, but as people touching its inner rhythm.
After the meditation, the temple’s abbot will invite us for a tea ceremony and lead us through his enchanting garden beside the temple.
Next, we are in for a truly special experience — meditation in a Zen Buddhist temple.
In silence, guided by a monk, we pause, calm our thoughts, and experience Kyoto not as tourists, but as people touching its inner rhythm.
After the meditation, the temple’s abbot will invite us for a tea ceremony and lead us through his enchanting garden beside the temple.
After that, we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of traditional Kyoto, strolling along the picturesque streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka — ancient stone slopes lined with wooden houses, tea shops, and artisan workshops. Here, Kyoto feels as though time itself has stood still.
Along the way, we will also see Yasaka Pagoda, one of the city’s most recognizable symbols.
We then ascend to the Temple of Pure Water — Kiyomizu-dera, from where poetic views of Kyoto unfold, especially enchanting in spring.
Lunch is included during the excursion.
The tour concludes near Kiyomizu-dera, in the very heart of the souvenir streets of Sannenzaka. Here you can enjoy a leisurely walk, sip matcha, buy ceramics or sweets, and return to the hotel on your own — carrying with you the true feeling of Kyoto.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 6
09.04.2026
We wake up without rushing. Breakfast at the hotel. We won’t need our bags or suitcases today. We take our cameras, light jackets, umbrellas just in case, and, of course, our best mood with us. Another very special and heartwarming day awaits us. Today we will meet, perhaps, the most charming residents of the Japanese islands — the adorable deer.
We meet our local guide in the hotel lobby, board a private bus, and head to Nara.
Nara is truly extraordinary. We have never seen a city where, instead of stray dogs and cats, about 1,200 deer roam freely. The city authorities take good care of them. In autumn, the deer are gathered together, park staff catch them and trim their antlers — a process that even attracts spectators. Why is this done? Because the deer beg for crackers and biscuits and may try to poke visitors. Without trimming the antlers, instead of enjoying contact with the animals, visitors could get injured.
Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century for exactly 74 years.
It is the place from which Buddhism spread throughout the country and remains one of Japan’s most important religious centers to this day.
The Tōdai-ji Temple complex is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. Its heart is the colossal bronze statue of Daibutsu (the Great Buddha). The temple is surrounded by a park that unites Tōdai-ji with nearby temples and shrines into a single sacred complex.
Tame deer roam freely throughout the park, and you can feed them with special crackers sold on site.
Adjacent to the deer park is Kasuga Taisha Shrine, one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan. It is famous for its ancient bronze and stone lanterns, placed and suspended throughout its spacious grounds.
Lunch is included during the excursion.
After that, without slowing down, we return to Kyoto and take a local train to another iconic place of Kyoto — and all of Japan — Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is simply breathtaking.
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto amazes visitors with countless torii gates shaped like the letter “Π” without doors. These torii gates were donated by worshippers and line the path leading up the forested mountain to Mount Inari, where the main shrine building is located. Walking the entire path to the top takes about two hours. Along the way, passing through the torii gates, you will see small shrines, graves, and statues of foxes — messengers of the deity. To fully feel the spirit of this place, there is no need to rush all the way to the summit.
About an hour is enough for us to take the best photos, enjoy a walk, and then, keeping our pace, descend to the railway station and return by train to Kyoto Station, where a well-deserved rest awaits us nearby in our wonderful hotel.
Day 7
10.04.2026
After breakfast at the hotel, we meet our guide and set off on a journey through the many faces of Japan. By Shinkansen high-speed train, we travel to the city of Himeji — smoothly, swiftly, and almost silently, just as only Japanese trains can.
On this day, we visit a castle familiar to many from Akira Kurosawa’s film “Ran.” Reopened after a long restoration, Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, is rightfully considered the most beautiful castle in Japan. Numerous historical films have been shot — and continue to be shot — here.
Founded in the 14th century (original construction) and renovated in the early 17th century, the castle has been remarkably well preserved. Wars and natural disasters have largely bypassed it. Today, this labyrinth of walls and moats surrounding the castle towers preserves the atmosphere of medieval Japan.
At the foot of the castle lies the Koko-en Garden complex. Each of its nine gardens recreates the traditional style of the Edo period (early 17th to mid-19th century). The thoughtful beauty and harmony of the gardens emphasize the perfection of the castle rising above the horizon.
Lunch is included during the excursion.
During our walking tour, we immerse ourselves in the history of samurai, defensive systems, and life in feudal Japan, feeling the grandeur of a place that has survived centuries and retained its perfection.
Then our route changes its mood — we travel to Osaka by express train. This is a city of contrasts, movement, and flavors, instantly setting a completely different rhythm.
First, we will see the new Osaka Station with its impressive observation decks.
In Osaka, a real adventure awaits us in one of the most vibrant and modern cities in Japan. Without unnecessary haste, in a cozy company, with comfort and care.
We will have a convenient ordered transport, so we will walk easily and freely.
Let's start with Umeda, a kind of “Manhattan” of Osaka. Skyscrapers, shopping centers, offices and a frantic rhythm. We will go up to the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building, and you will see how big and lively this Osaka is! You will have a view of the whole city - this is the moment when you just want to be silent and watch.
Next, let's go to Namba, which is a completely different story. Here, the streets live to their own rhythm, the food smells delicious, and there is something interesting at every turn. Real flavor, noise, laughter and lots of opportunities to try something delicious
Let's take a ride along the Midosuji Alley - it's very stylish, with ginkgo trees on both sides. It is especially beautiful here in the fall, when everything turns yellow and gold falls from the sky. And the route itself is like a walk through the most elegant pages of the city.
And then Dotombori!
What can we say - it's like Tokyo on steroids. Light, lights, flavors, shopping, street food, the legendary runner on the Glico sign... and our favorite Ebisu Bridge, from which everyone takes pictures. There is always traffic here, but it's so cool and lively. It's that moment when you feel: “This is the Japan I wanted to see!”
During the excursion, we enjoy a delicious local-style lunch.
In the evening, we return to Kyoto, bringing back new impressions and bright photos of Osaka.
Check-in at our already beloved hotel in Kyoto.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 8
11.04.2026
After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and meet our guide. This morning in Kyoto is special — slow and aesthetic. Today we have a farewell walk that is anything but ordinary through the streets of Kyoto.
We change into traditional kimono and set off to stroll along Kyoto’s historic streets. Stone slopes, wooden facades, lanterns, and cherry blossoms create the feeling that the city is welcoming us into its rhythm. In kimono, movements become slower, the gaze more attentive, and every photograph looks like a frame from a Japanese film.
After the walk, there is free time for lunch. You can choose a cozy teahouse, a small family café, or a restaurant with a city view — a chance to savor Kyoto one more time, at your own pace.
Next, we travel to Tokyo by the high-speed Shinkansen train.Arrival at the already familiar Tokyo Station.
We check in to the hotel and then arrange a final shared farewell dinner, visiting a nearby nice restaurant where we can enjoy excellent sushi, shabu-shabu, or the famous A5 wagyu beef.
Overnight in a wonderful 4★ hotel. Rest.Meals included: breakfast.
THE COST
2890 Euro
Day 9
12.04.2026
n the morning, we wake up and have breakfast.
We say goodbye to each other and to our guides. Tears of farewell.
Unfortunately, everything comes to an end someday, and it is time to return home.
A bright sadness… new dreams and plans.
The suitcases are packed, hundreds of photos have been taken, and countless pleasant memories remain — of the country, new friends, and a spring journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Some will stay for an extra day or two to enjoy Tokyo. Flights depart at different times, so transfers are arranged independently.
Shinkansen trains from Tokyo Station depart every 30 minutes to Narita Airport.
We arrive at the airport. Departure home at any time.
Meals included: breakfast.
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club-family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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