Tokyo to Arakurayama Sengen Park and Yokohama: Day trip

A hillside shrine and pagoda create Japan’s classic cherry blossom postcard. Begin your Yamanashi stop at Arakurayama Sengen Park, one of Japan’s most photographed cherry blossom sites. Climb the hillside steps to the Chureito Pagoda, where rows of sakura trees frame Mount Fuji in the distance. The ascent is gradual but rewarding, with scenic pauses along the way. Spend time exploring the shrine grounds, taking photos, and enjoying the elevated viewpoints. In spring, the park is alive with color and quiet energy, offering one of the most iconic sakura experiences in the country before continuing your journey.

A modern harbor city where cherry blossoms soften steel, glass, and sea. Yokohama offers a different spring mood—cosmopolitan and open. Start at Sakura-dori or “cherry blossom avenue” in the Minato Mirai district, where cherry trees frame modern architecture and water views. Then head to Yamashita Park (only 3 stops away by metro, or a 40-minute walk), a classic cherry blossom viewing area beside the harbor. You may choose to stop for refreshments at a waterfront café or briefly explore nearby cultural districts. The city’s international roots and relaxed pace make it an ideal contrast to Yamanashi’s rural calm, rounding out the journey with coastal elegance.