Explore the Kanto Region With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass—Spring Itinerary

Enjoy spring travel with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass

When visiting Japan in spring, experiencing hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is a must. Japan is home to around 200 different sakura (cherry blossom) varieties, with flowering times ranging from late March to mid-April, offering a month-long opportunity to enjoy Japan’s signature flower.

Alongside cherry blossoms, you can also admire a variety of other flowers, including rape blossoms, moss phlox, and poppies. Some locations even offer picture-perfect views of both cherry blossoms and rape blossoms.

As cherry blossom season aligns with domestic tourism, it's crucial to secure reserved seats on trains to ensure a comfortable journey. With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, you can reserve seats on shinkansen and limited express trains in the region through advance reservations.

Day 1: Visit mesmerizing cherry blossom spots in Tokyo

When starting your journey with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass from Tokyo, use the ticket on the first day to visit several sightseeing and cherry blossom spots in the capital. Aside from major hanami spots like Meguro River and Chidorigafuchi Moat, there are many other locations across the city to enjoy sakura (cherry blossoms.)

Below, you’ll find three stunning cherry blossom spots, all about a 30-minute train ride from the city center.

Koganei Park: View cherry blossoms from the end of March throughout April

Koganei Park, located about 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, opened as a city park in 1954. The vast 80-hectare site invites nature fans to admire seasonal flowers or to enjoy cycling, and barbecuing.

Koganei Park is home to about 1,700 cherry trees, including yama-zakura and somei-yoshino varieties. Since the blooming period varies depending on the type, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms from the end of March until the end of April. You may also want to venture to the nearby Tamagawa Josui canal, which is lined by yama-zakura cherry blossoms.

Within the park, you’ll also find the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum, an outdoor museum featuring various buildings from different eras, which can all be explored from the inside. The site also hosts special exhibitions on Tokyo’s history and crafts, and is home to several cafes and restaurants, plus a souvenir shop.

Koganei Park
Address: Sakura-cho 3-chome, Sekino-cho 1 and 2-chome, Koganei-shi; Hanakoganei-minami-cho 3-chome, Kodaira-shi; Sakura-zutsumi 3-chome, Musashino-shi; Mukodai-cho 6-chome, Nishi-Tokyo-shi, Tokyo
Access: 16-min bus ride from JR Musashi Koganei Station
Official website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index050.html

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A serene escape in central Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen was built in 1906 as an imperial garden, and opened to the public in 1949 as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The 58-hectare site is characterized by a combination of various garden styles, including landscape, formal, and Japanese-style gardens.

It’s also known for its many cherry blossoms of about 65 varieties, with somei-yoshino cherry blossoms blooming from early March to early April, and yae-zakura cherry blossoms flowering from mid to late April.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Address: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 9-min walk from Shinjuku Station
Official website: https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/en/ 

Showa Kinen Park: Admire rape blossoms and poppies

The 180-hectare Showa Kinen Park was built on the site of the former Tachikawa Airfield. It boasts many sports facilities, monuments, restaurants, cafes, playgrounds, a Japanese garden, and more. The highlight, however, is its seasonal flowers.

Visit between the end of March and the end of May, during the Flower Festival, and enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms, tulips, rape blossoms, and poppies.

Pastel-pink cherry blossoms and yellow rape blossoms bloom simultaneously from late March to mid-April in the Cherry Blossom Garden and near the Sakura Bridge along the Zanbori River.

The Flower Hill in the northern part of the park spans about 15,000 square meters, and features 106 varieties of colorful tulips from mid-April. By mid-May, Charley poppies adorn the landscape, creating a mesmerizing sea of crimson hues.

Given the park's expansive size, explore the grounds by hopping on the park train or renting bicycles.

Showa Kinen Park
Address: 3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo
Access: Short walk from Nishi-Tachikawa Station
Official website: https://www.showakinen-koen.jp/guide-english/

Day 2: Fuji Shibazakura Festival, sightseeing, and hot springs around Lake Kawaguchi

On the second day, use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass to travel to Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mount Fuji. Here, you can enjoy sightseeing and hot springs around the lake, as well as the nearby Shibazakura Festival, held annually from mid-April through May.

Shibazakura, also known as moss phlox in English, spreads like a carpet, transforming the entire site into hues of vibrant pink, white, and purple. The 80,000 plants flower around Ryujin Pond, with the snow-covered Mount Fuji towering in the backdrop.

In the area around Lake Kawaguchi, you’ll also find the highly popular Fuji-Q Highland amusement park and countless hot spring resorts.

Travel to Kawaguchiko directly from Shinjuku Station with the Fuji Excursion limited express train

With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, you can directly travel to Kawaguchiko Station with the Fuji Excursion limited express train. This special train makes two round trips per day between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko stations. With stops at Tachikawa, Hachioji, Otsuki, Tsuru Bunka Daigaku-mae, Mount Fuji, and Fujikyu-Highland stations, the train arrives at Kawaguchiko Station in under two hours.

Enjoy picture-perfect views of Lake Kawaguchi from the ropeway and sightseeing boat

Enjoy panoramic views of the stunning Lake Kawaguchi from the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. During the three-minute ropeway ride connecting Kawaguchi Kohan Station at the foot of Mount Tenjo to Fujimidai Station at the summit, you can admire Lake Kawaguchi. The mountain top station, on the other hand, awaits with mesmerizing views of Mount Fuji in the opposite direction.

Explore Lake Kawaguchi from a different perspective by boarding the Appare sightseeing boat. The journey takes about 20 minutes and offers a unique view of the lake, different from the one you’d get from the shore.

Don’t miss the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival, annually held from early to mid-April. Admire about 200 somei-yoshino cherry trees in full bloom at the shores of Lake Kawaguchi with Mount Fuji towering over the mountain range. The cherry blossoms are lit up from sunset until 9:00 p.m., creating a fantastic sight.

Lake Kawaguchi Fuji Panorama Ropeway
Address: 1163-1 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: 15-min walk from Kawaguchiko Station; or 6-min bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station to Ropeway-iriguchi bus stop
Official website: https://www.mtfujiropeway.jp/en/

Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Boat Appare
Address: 4034 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Kawaguchiko Station; or 5-min bus ride from Kawaguchiko Station to Kawaguchiko Yuransen-mae bus stop
Official website: https://www.fujigokokisen.jp/contents/en/

Unwind in the hot springs of Kawaguchiko Onsen

After a full day of sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchiko, relax in the soothing hot springs of Kawaguchiko Onsen, situated on the lakeshore, and boasting five distinct hot spring sources.

Unwind in the strong alkaline water of Reiho-no-yu, Tensui-no-yu, and Fuyo-no-yu, the neutral spring water baths of Shurei-no-yu, and the weak alkaline spring of Reisui-no-yu. All five springs are characterized by their colorless, odorless, and gently composed hot spring waters, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable bathing experience.

Day 3: Spend a full day at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park

On the third day, spend the entire day at Fuji-Q Highland, an amusement park at the foot of Mount Fuji, renowned for its many thrill rides. Some of its colossal roller coasters, such as High Jump and Eejanaika, have earned recognition in the Guinness World Records.

If you’re traveling with kids in tow, explore Thomas Land, inspired by the Thomas the Tank Engine book series, as well as Lisa and Gaspard Town, featuring characters from the beloved French children’s book series.

Fuji-Q Highland
Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishi-hara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: Directly at Fuji-Q Highland Station
Official website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/

Is Fuji-Q Highland crowded during the spring?

Fuji-Q Highland is a haven for adrenaline junkies, with many visiting the park on weekends, holidays, and during spring and summer breaks. As spring brings warmer weather, the park sees a spike in visitor numbers compared to the colder winter months.

Visit Lisa and Gaspard Town for colorful flower displays

Fuji-Q Highland brings the characters of the beloved French picture book Lisa and Gaspard to life at Lisa and Gaspard Town. Drawing inspiration from Paris, the miniature Eiffel Tower and fountain garden are iconic features of the little park. 

During spring, the site is adorned with thousands of flowers, such as Dutch irises and hyacinths, making for great photo ops. Don’t miss the special flower-themed drinks and snacks available at the cafes and restaurants, only available for a limited time.

Lisa and Gaspard Town
Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishi-hara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: 12-min walk from Fuji-Q Highland Station
Official website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/area/lisagas/index.html?page=s2

Discover the Kanto Region in spring with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass

Make the most of your trip to Japan by opting for the JR Tokyo Wide Pass and explore the Kanto Region for three consecutive days. The itinerary above gives you an idea of how many places you can explore in and around Tokyo at a discount. Enjoy the cherry blossoms, take in stunning views of Mount Fuji, enjoy scenic train rides, and admire numerous spring flowers.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

Fuji-Q Highland 1-Day Pass

・Experience seamless entry by receiving an e-ticket in the form of a QR code to scan at arrival.
・Enjoy unlimited rides on Guinness World Record-certified roller coasters, and more.