Festival & Events Tours & Trips in Honshu
Explore a wide diversity of festival & events tours through Honshu. We have 15 adventures that vary from 7 days to 14 days. With the greatest number of departures in March, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best festival & events Honshu tours
Compiled by
MelissaHonshu travel expert at TourRadar
- 11 Day Southern Japan Cherry Blossom Festival（Private Guide and Driver）
- Cherry Blossom Festival - 13 days
- 7 Day Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival（Private Guide and Driver）- Umetravel
- 8 Days Japan Cherry Blossom Family Tour with Kids(private guide & driver)
- 10 Day Southern Japan Cherry Blossom Festival（Private Guide and Driver）
- 9 Day Highlights Japan's Cherry Blossom（Private Guide and Driver）
- 10 Day Spectacular Central Japan（Private Guide and Driver）
- 13 Day Central Japan Cherry Blossom Festival（Private Guide and Driver）
- 10 DaysJapan Cherry Blossom Family Tour with Teenager (private guide & driver）
- 14 Days Japan Honeymoon: Japan Cherry Blossom and Cultural (private guide & driver）
Travel Honshu during cherry blossom season, checking out Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine, Mt. Fuji's Tenjozan Park, and Hakone's Owakudani volcanic crater. Ride the Sagano Scenic Railway through Arashiyama's bamboo groves, then see Miyajima's floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Oshino, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Owakudani, Odawara, Kyoto, Arashiyama, FushimiSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $6,372
25% Off- US$4,779You save $1,593
Cherry Blossom Festival - 13 days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We loved Kanazawa and the Hida Village, we were spoilt in Kyoto with the fantastic blooms.”
Stuart, traveled in March
Cherry blossoms reach their peak across Honshu, from Tokyo's Hamarikyu Gardens to Kenroku-en in Kanazawa. Special access to Miyako Odari spring geisha dances at Minami-za Theatre pairs with traditional tea ceremonies in Takayama.
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Narita Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
25% Off- US$6,875
A private guide and driver take you across Honshu during peak cherry blossom season to Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai's clear springs, and Hakone's volcanic Owakudani. Walk Kyoto's Philosopher's Path when cherry trees bloom in early April and feed over 1,000 sacred deer at Nara Park.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Oshino, Hakone, Owakudani, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Fushimi, Nara Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $4,219
25% Off- US$3,164You save $1,055
Cherry blossoms grace Shinjuku Gyoen and Kema Sakuranomiya Park during Honshu's spring festivals. Traditional ceremonies unfold at Meiji Jingu Shrine, while seasonal celebrations enliven Osaka Castle and the serene Philosopher's Path.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Uji, Nara, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From
25% Off- US$4,520
The bullet train takes you across Honshu between Odawara and Kyoto, then you'll see Hiroshima's Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. Ride Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to Tenjozan Park, check out volcanic Owakudani where you can try black eggs, and cross the 400-meter Mishima Skywalk.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Oshino, Hakone, Owakudani, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Fushimi, NaraSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $6,217
25% Off- US$4,663You save $1,554
Private transfers take you across Honshu from Tokyo to Osaka, including a bullet train ride between Odawara and Kyoto. Check out Lake Kawaguchi's peaceful setting and Oshino Hakkai's eight springs fed by Mount Fuji's melted snow, all with cherry blossoms from late March to mid-April.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Oshino, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Owakudani, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Fushimi, NaraSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $5,274
25% Off- US$3,956You save $1,319
Expert guides take you through Honshu's cultural landmarks including Matsumoto's black castle, Lake Suwa's firework festivals, and Kanazawa's Edo-era Kenrokuen Gardens. The bullet train gets you from Kanazawa to Kyoto in 97 minutes, then you'll see Fushimi Inari Taisha's vermillion gates and feed deer at Nara.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Fujikawaguchiko, Oshino, Matsumoto, Nagano, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Kanazawa, KyotoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $6,101
25% Off- US$4,576You save $1,525
Japan's iconic Cherry Blossom Festival across Honshu includes visits to Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, where thousands of sakura trees bloom from late March to mid-April. Walk through the vermillion torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and check out the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Feed sacred deer in Nara Park and see the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Fushimi, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima IslandSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $7,440
25% Off- US$5,580You save $1,860
Spring festivals bloom across Honshu at Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen and Osaka's Kema Sakuranomiya Park. Pink petals dance along Chidorigafuchi Park and Meguro River, accompanied by cultural celebrations at local temples.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Oshino, Mount Fuji, Gora, Hakone, Owakudani, Odawara, OsakaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From
25% Off- US$5,863
Cherry blossoms paint the landscape at Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen and Kyoto's temples during Honshu's spring festivals. Traditional celebrations at Kitano Tenmangu await, with comfortable stays at Hotel East 21 Tokyo while visiting cultural landmarks.
Duration 14 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From
25% Off- US$8,550
What our customers ask about Festival & Events Tours & Trips in Honshu
When is the best time to experience festivals in Honshu?
Spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November) offer the richest festival experiences in Honshu. Spring brings Cherry Blossom Festivals while fall features celebrations like the Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival in Tokyo. In spring visitors can see the geisha dances at Kyoto's Minami-za Theatre. The autumn season transforms Meiji Jingu Gaien where 146 ginkgo trees create a golden canopy perfect for photos. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We were spoilt in Kyoto with the fantastic blooms, the Temples, Shrines and Torii Gates."
What are the must-see festival highlights in Honshu?
Key events include the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka which will showcase exhibits from 161 countries. The Cherry Blossom Festivals at Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa and Spring Geisha Dances in Kyoto's Gion district draw visitors from around the world. The Courtyard by Marriott Osaka Honmachi serves as a convenient base for festival-goers. In Tokyo the Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival features local food vendors and community events. A TourRadar traveler shared: "We loved seeing the fantastic blooms and cultural performances in Kyoto, it was a truly magical experience."
How should I plan my festival itinerary in Honshu?
A comprehensive festival tour requires 10-14 days. Plan for 3-4 days in Tokyo to experience events like the Ginkgo Festival 3 days in Kyoto for traditional performances and 2-3 days in Osaka for the World Expo. Hotels like Hotel East 21 Tokyo and Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-ekimae provide strategic locations near festival sites. Add extra days for popular events to account for crowds. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The timing was perfect to experience multiple festivals and cultural events across different cities."
How crowded are the major festivals in Honshu?
Expect significant crowds at signature events like the Cherry Blossom Festival at Kenroku-en Garden and World Expo 2025 in Osaka especially during peak hours. The Ibis Osaka Umeda offers convenient access for early arrival at venues. The Ginkgo Festival draws large numbers while traditional events like Spring Geisha Dances need advance reservations. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The festivals were busy but well-organized, and the crowds added to the exciting atmosphere."
What's the food like at Honshu festivals?
Each festival presents unique food options from casual street fare at the Ginkgo Festival to formal tea ceremonies in Kyoto. The World Expo 2025 will feature global cuisine while local celebrations spotlight regional dishes. Tours often include visits to Kuromon Ichiba Market and dining experiences at venues like STARDUST in the Umeda Sky Building. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The festival food was a highlight offering a perfect mix of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine."
Are festival tours suitable for families?
Festival tours welcome families with activities for every age group. The World Expo 2025 features hands-on exhibits while the Ginkgo Festival includes entertainment suited for children. Family-friendly accommodations like the Courtyard by Marriott Osaka Honmachi offer rooms designed for groups. Several tours cater specifically to families including the Japan Cherry Blossom Family Tour with stops at Sanrio Puroland. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The festivals provided great entertainment for both adults and children in our group."