Japan in cherry blossom: a two-week honeymoon plan
Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, and a final ryokan few couples know about.
Cherry blossom season in Japan lasts barely two weeks in most regions, which makes timing the single hardest and most important part of planning this honeymoon. But for couples willing to build their itinerary around it, few trips anywhere in the world deliver more visual drama for the money — entire parks turned pink and white overnight, evening blossom-viewing parties under lantern light, and a sense of occasion that feels genuinely suited to a wedding trip.
When to go
Blossom typically peaks in Tokyo in late March to early April, and roughly a week later in Kyoto as the bloom moves north and inland. The Japan Meteorological Corporation publishes a forecast updated from January onwards, and it's worth checking regularly in the run-up to travel. Because the exact peak shifts slightly year to year depending on temperature, it's sensible to book flexible accommodation where possible, particularly for the first few nights, so a late or early bloom doesn't derail the whole trip.
The two-week itinerary
- Days 1–4: Tokyo — Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Park for blossom, plus Shibuya and Asakusa for contrast between ultra-modern and traditional
- Days 5–7: Kyoto — the Philosopher's Path lined with cherry trees, Kiyomizu-dera temple, and a night in a traditional machiya townhouse
- Days 8–9: Hakone — views of Mount Fuji on a clear day, hot spring ryokans, and the open-air sculpture park
- Days 10–14: A quieter final ryokan few couples know about, in the Izu Peninsula, considerably calmer and more affordable than Hakone's better-known resorts
Budgeting
Expect to spend around £3,200 to £4,800 per couple for the full two weeks including flights, based on fares from Edinburgh or Glasgow routed via a European or Gulf hub, mid-range hotels for most nights, and one or two splurge nights in a ryokan with a full kaiseki dinner included. Spring is peak season in Japan, so booking flights and the more sought-after accommodation well in advance — ideally six to nine months out — makes a meaningful difference to both price and availability.
The final ryokan
The Izu Peninsula sits a little over two hours from Tokyo by train via Atami, and offers a genuinely quieter alternative to Hakone's crowds without sacrificing the essential ryokan experience — private open-air baths overlooking the coastline, tatami rooms, and multi-course dinners served in your room. Expect to pay roughly £180 to £260 a night for two including dinner, considerably less than an equivalent property in Hakone, and a gentle, restorative way to close out a trip that's otherwise been fairly fast-paced.
Practical tips
Buy a Japan Rail Pass before you fly, since it's cheaper arranged in advance than purchased on arrival, and it makes moving between Tokyo, Kyoto and the countryside far simpler. Carry cash as a matter of course, since many smaller ryokans and family-run restaurants still don't accept cards, and book blossom-season restaurants at least a month ahead, particularly in Kyoto, where the best-known spots fill up quickly once the bloom forecast firms up.