Tired of viewing cherry blossoms from the ground? No worries, let's admire them from above! AirX, which developed the AirX Sky Walker Project, is offering a limited-time "Yoshino Senbon Sakura Helicopter Tour" during cherry blossom season.

Departing from Yao Airport in Osaka, the tour takes you to Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot where you can see the magnificent Takada Senbon Sakura. You can also choose a more luxurious option to fly around the ancient capital of Nara. Both options allow you to enjoy a bird's eye view of the romantic pink hue of Mt. Yoshino.

The entire mountaintop of Mt. Yoshino is covered with cherry blossoms, making it a breathtaking sight to behold. From the foot to the peak of the mountain, you can see cherry blossoms blooming everywhere.

At night, the mountain is even more magical when the cherry blossoms are illuminated. In addition, from Mt. Yoshino, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the World Heritage Site "Kimpusen-ji Temple."

During cherry blossom season, the crowds can be overwhelming, but you can avoid them and enjoy the most luxurious cherry blossom viewing experience by taking a helicopter tour.

The best time to see cherry blossoms around Mt. Yoshino is usually late March/early April, according to the cherry blossom forecast. In 2023, Nara saw its first colors on March 20 and peak bloom on March 27. We recommend planning your visit during this period.

Arashiyama Sagano is one of Japan's top tourist destinations, boasting not only the World Heritage Site, Tenryuji Temple, but also famous photo spots like the Bamboo Forest Path.

During the cherry blossom season, areas like Tenryuji Temple and Nijo Castle as well as the entire Arashiyama area centered around Togetsukyo Bridge, are dotted with cherry blossoms throughout April.

The Hirano-jinja Shrine cherry blossoms are in full bloom in late March/early April, while the Gion Sakura cherry blossoms at Gio-ji Temple typically bloom in mid-April, and the Fugenzo elephant cherry blossoms at Ninna-ji Temple are at typically their best in late April, ensuring that visitors don't miss out on the annual cherry blossom viewing extravaganza!

In addition to taking a leisurely walk to enjoy the cherry blossoms, you can also choose to take a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway through a dreamy cherry blossom tunnel, enjoying the cool breeze while taking in the scenic views.

The best time to visit Arashiyama is typically from mid-March to late April. According to the cherry blossom forecast, Arashiyama is expected to have cherry blossoms bloom around March 20 and reach full bloom on March 27 in 2023.

The Sagano Scenic Railway was originally a small freight train that transported goods, but now it serves as a sightseeing train that takes passengers along the Hozugawa River for an up-close view of the beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. The fifth car, called "The Rich," has no windows and is an open-air car, allowing passengers to directly feel the changes in sunlight, wind, and climate, making it very popular among tourists.

All Sagano trains are seated in pairs and you cannot get off in the middle of the train, so you can purchase advance tickets or tickets on the spot.

・Advance tickets can be purchased at designated JR West stations (e.g. Kyoto Station, Kameoka Station, Nijo Station, Saga-Arashiyama Station, Inari Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, JR Namba Station, Nara Station, Kansai Airport Station, Sannomiya Station), and travel agencies in Japan.

Reservations can also be made via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION, the JR West ticketing website. Reservations are open at 10:00 a.m. one month in advance.

・On-site ticket purchase: Service counters at Kotobuki Station (excluding Hozukyo Station).
*Tickets can only be purchased with cash, ICOCA, Suica, Kitaca, toica, and SUGOCA on the day of purchase.
*PiTaPa, PASMO, various credit cards, Japan Rail Pass, and Youth 18 are not accepted.

However, it is not easy to buy tickets on-site during the peak season, and it is even more difficult if you do not speak Japanese! But don't worry, all major online reservation sites can purchase tickets, so you can buy Sagano train tickets below without having to wait until you get to Japan, saving you time and effort!

In addition to taking a scenic ride on the mountain railway, visitors to Arashiyama can also enjoy a cherry blossom viewing boat ride on the Hozu River.

The Hozu River Boat Ride has a history of approximately 400 years. Initially, it was developed as a water transportation system by wealthy merchant Suminokura Ryoi to transport timber and charcoal from Tanba to Kyoto.

However, as railway and automobiles replaced water transportation, the boats transformed into sightseeing boats for passengers to enjoy the beautiful seasonal scenery of the valley.

Board the "Hozugawa River Boat Ride" at the pier near JR Kameoka Station and enjoy the wild and natural atmosphere of the cherry blossoms blooming on both sides of the river. Unlike on land, the cherry blossoms here have a more "wild" feel. You can also see the statue of the protective deity Acala guarding the Hozugawa River and the Sagano scenic railway, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.

The best time to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Arashiyama is usually from mid-March to late April. According to the cherry blossom forecast, Arashiyama is expected to have cherry blossoms bloom around March 20 and reach full bloom on March 27 in 2023.

To ensure your spot before traveling to Japan, you can purchase boat tickets in advance on the reservation website. Buying tickets beforehand is very convenient, and you can purchase them here if you need to.

Similar to Kyoto's "Hozugawa River Boat Ride," there is also an elegant cherry blossom viewing experience in Osaka by taking the water bus "Osaka Aqua-Liner."

The Aqua-Liner cruises on the Okawa River, visiting various famous spots in Osaka, and during cherry blossom season, there is a special route that departs from Osaka Castle Port and heads to famous cherry blossom viewing spots such as Temmabashi and Sakuranomiya.

This allows you to avoid the crowds and easily appreciate the cherry blossom beauty of Osaka while the captain tells you about the Osaka Castle photo that can only be taken on the water!

The cherry blossoms in Osaka are expected to bloom around March 19 and reach peak on March 27 in 2023, so if you happen to be in Osaka during this time, come take a boat ride to enjoy the cherry blossoms!

To enjoy a graceful sakura viewing experience on a boat, it is recommended to purchase the tickets online in advance to avoid the disappointment of sold-out tickets upon arrival. Online reservation also comes with the convenience of having a tour guide to help with ticket collection, eliminating language barriers.

Moreover, if you prefer to have a private sakura viewing experience with friends and family, chartering a boat is also an option.

During the cherry blossom season, visitors to Nijo Castle can not only appreciate the "real" cherry blossoms but also enjoy a unique cherry blossom-themed light and projection show called "NAKED FLOWERS 2023 Sakura World Heritage Site Nijo Castle". The splendid cherry blossoms projected on the entrance gate of the castle greet the audience, while colorful dancing cranes and butterflies bring the message of spring.

The magnificent show leads visitors into the cherry blossom garden, where they can enjoy night cherry blossoms and traditional Japanese music performances. Even the hand sanitizer bottles are decorated with cherry blossom patterns, showcasing Japanese attention to detail. This special cherry blossom experience is only available at Nijo Castle.

The cherry blossoms in Kyoto are predicted to bloom around March 17 and peak on March 27. Don't miss this chance to join the cherry blossom spectacle at Nijo Castle.

You can purchase tickets in advance at the online reservation website for this magnificent event, and it will be cheaper than buying tickets on-site. In addition, there are also packages that include renting a kimono, so you can dress up and enjoy the Night Sakura Tea Party at Nijo Castle in style!

Source: PR TIMES

Watching cherry blossoms is not limited to daytime, there are also many night sakura viewing spots where the cherry blossoms are illuminated by lights, creating a mature and romantic atmosphere. The following are some selected places in Kyoto recommended by our editor for your reference.

Located in Gion, one of the most famous districts in Kyoto, Maruyama Park is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms. With a Japanese-style garden at its center and restaurants and tea shops scattered throughout, it is the oldest park in Kyoto. Last year, the weeping cherry blossoms, which are the main attraction during the night, ended around early April.

Kodai-ji is a temple built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi's wife, Nene, for her husband. There are limited-time night-time lighting events in each season, and this year's theme is "Light of Reminiscence." The fourth generation of the famous weeping cherry tree is planted in the Hoshin-en garden and is a must-see highlight!

・Especially in the spring of 2023, visit at night!
・Period: March 17 - May 7, 2023
・Time: Lighting starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.)
* The schedule may change without notice
・Admission: 600 yen for adults, 250 yen for high school and junior high school students.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tō-ji Temple, is home to 200 cherry blossom trees, including the famous Somei Yoshino and Kawazu-zakura varieties. The most spectacular among them is the Yae-beni-shidare variety, also known as "Fujizakura."

During the spring season, the temple hosts a night-time cherry blossom viewing event where visitors can enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms in the main hall and lecture hall. Admission fees are 1,000 yen for adults and high school students, and 500 yen for junior high school students and younger.

If you want to visit these three cherry blossom viewing spots with ease, you can refer to KKday's itinerary, which includes a sightseeing bus and dinner. This hassle-free experience allows you to enjoy the night cherry blossoms without worrying about getting lost or where to eat. Plus, since the tour is at night, you can still run other activities during the day. It's highly recommended for those who want a convenient cherry blossom viewing experience!

There has been a growing diversity of ways to appreciate cherry blossoms in recent years. Whether it's through a serene water bus ride or experiencing light projections at night-time festivals, there are many options to choose from. If you're feeling like cherry blossom viewing has become repetitive, why not try these trendy new ways of enjoying them for a unique and exciting experience!