Bus Tour from Osaka to Lake Biwa Cherry Blossoms, Kaizu Osaki & Hikone Castle

Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossoms – Visit one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” renowned for its beautiful sakura scenery.

This destination in Shiga Prefecture is well-known for its cherry blossoms, featuring around 800 vibrant Somei Yoshino cherry trees that bloom along a 4 km stretch of Lake Biwa's shoreline. The archway of cherry blossoms created by the Somei Yoshino trees contrasts beautifully with the blue waters of Lake Biwa, making it a favored location for photography.

Hikone Castle Moat Cherry Blossoms – Enjoy cherry blossoms blooming along the moat of National Treasure Hikone Castle.

This castle is among Japan's National Treasures, along with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Matsue Castle. Approximately 1,100 cherry trees bloom mainly along the castle moat, offering stunning views as the blossoms reflect on the water and beautifully complement the stone walls and white castle structures.

Nagahama Castle Admission – Enter Nagahama Castle and take in panoramic views of a breathtaking “sea of cherry blossoms.”

Hōkōen Park is a large public park established on the former grounds of Nagahama Castle, once home to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is recognized as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” Entrance to the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum is included, providing you with sweeping views of the cherry blossoms throughout Hōkōen Park from the castle keep.

Hotel Lunch Buffet by Lake Biwa – Enjoy a lunch buffet at a hotel located on the shores of Lake Biwa.

Dine in a spacious, glass-enclosed area filled with natural light and scenic views, where you can savor freshly fried tempura from the live kitchen along with a variety of handmade obanzai dishes to your heart’s delight.

• Lunch may be served around 2:00 PM depending on restaurant congestion.
• Menu items are subject to change depending on ingredient availability.

Information about Tour

Place of departure and destination: From Osaka to Shiga

Number of days of travel: 1 day

Means of transportation: Bus

Name of bus company: International Motor Vehicles Osaka or equivalent

Meal(s): Lunch 1

Minimum number of passengers to operate: 20

Number of GUIDE: 1

Tour Operator Information

Company Name: H.I.S. Co., Ltd.

Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team

Address: Mainichi Intecio 16F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN

Registration No: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency

Membership: Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)

Contact Information

Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Business Department West Japan Group Kansai Team

Address: Mainichi Intecio 15F 3-4-5 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8215, JAPAN

Tel: +81- 50-1745-1444

Opening hour: 10:00~18:00

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

General Travel Services Manager:

Eri Tomiyama
The Tour Operations Manager oversees transactions related to your travel at the sales office and manages your travel arrangements. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information provided by the staff about this travel contract, please feel free to reach out to the aforementioned Tour Operations Manager.

Please read and understand the Terms and Conditions below.

• Travel Terms and Conditions: Domestic Package Tours
• Travel Agency Terms and Conditions: Section of Package Tour Contract

Highlights

• Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossoms – Explore one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” celebrated for its stunning sakura views.
• Hikone Castle Moat Cherry Blossoms – Experience cherry blossoms flourishing along the moat of the National Treasure Hikone Castle.
• Nagahama Castle Admission – Gain entry to Nagahama Castle to take in sweeping vistas of an awe-inspiring “sea of cherry blossoms.”
• Windmill Road Scenic Drive – Marvel at around 6 km of uninterrupted cherry blossom trees visible from the bus along Windmill Road.
• Hotel Lunch Buffet by Lake Biwa – Savor a lunch buffet at a hotel situated by the shores of Lake Biwa.

Itinerary

• Depart Umeda (Meeting time: 7:45 / Departure: 8:00) ※ On April 4, 5, 11, and 12, the meeting and departure times will be 30 minutes earlier (Meeting: 7:15 / Departure: 7:30).
• Windmill Road (Scenic drive past approximately 6 km of cherry blossom-lined road, viewed from the bus)
• Kaizu Osaki (Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots; enjoy a stroll among the spectacular cherry trees along the shores of Lake Biwa / approx. 30 minutes)
• Imazu Sunbridge Hotel (Lunch buffet at a hotel located on the shores of Lake Biwa / approx. 60 minutes)
• Hōkōen Park & Nagahama Castle Historical Museum (Cherry blossom viewing at Hōkōen Park and admission to the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum / approx. 60 minutes)
• Hikone Castle Area (Enjoy viewing approximately 1,100 cherry trees in bloom along the castle moat / approx. 60 minutes)
• Return to Umeda (Approx. 18:30)

Price Details

Included

• Air-conditioned bus
• Round-trip transportation
• Admission fee
• Lunch

Not included

• Expenses not mentioned

Important Information

Important Notes During Bus Tour

1. Please refrain from drinking alcohol on the bus.

2. Members of the odd-numbered group may need to share seats with other passengers on the bus.

3. As stipulated by Japanese law, please wear your seat belt on the tour bus.

4. Please remain seated and avoid walking while the tour bus is moving.

5. Seating on the bus is assigned by H.I.S staff. Please do not change your seat during the tour.

6. Please be punctual and arrive at the designated meeting place on time. The bus will depart on time and will not wait for latecomers.

7. Latecomers who wish to rejoin the group will be responsible for all transportation fees.

8.Please wear the sticker provided by the tour guide visibly.

9. Avoid sticking the sticker on leather goods, as it may leave marks.

10. Do not use the seat reclining function or adjust the seat settings.

11. Please set all electronic devices, including mobile phones and game consoles, to silent mode.

12. Talking on mobile phones and making video calls are prohibited on the tour bus.

13. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the tour bus.

14. Arrival times at each sightseeing spot may vary depending on traffic conditions.

15. The use of drones for filming or other purposes is prohibited during the tour.

16. Please do not use perfume, sprays, or change baby diapers on the bus, as it may disturb other passengers.

17. Manage your valuable belongings yourself.

18. After the tour, please take all your trash with you and do not leave any on the bus.

19. Ensure you do not forget or leave any personal belongings on the bus after the tour.

20. For fruit-picking tours, please note that fruit is to be consumed only on the farm. Bringing it home in your own bag is strictly prohibited.

21. If you fail to follow these regulations and cause a disturbance on the bus, you may be asked to leave the bus, even during the tour.

Purchase Notice

• This tour is a Japanese tour. The tour conductor will provide language support using a translator (Pocket Talk).
• This is not a private tour; you will enjoy the tour with other guests.
• If the minimum number of participants (20) is not met by (14) days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date might be canceled.
• Cherry blossom viewing periods may vary depending on weather conditions each year; however, the tour will operate regardless of bloom status.

*(Typical best viewing periods: Kaizu Osaki: early to mid-April; Hōkōen Park: early to mid-April; Hikone Castle: late March to mid-April.)*

• Cherry blossom viewing involves walking, so please wear comfortable clothing and easy-to-walk shoes.
• At Kaizu Osaki, there is an approximately 20-minute flat walk from the parking area to the cherry blossom avenue.
• Lunch contents may be changed without prior notice depending on ingredient availability.
• Depending on restaurant congestion, lunch may be served around 2:00 PM.
• If cherry blossoms cannot be enjoyed due to blooming conditions, alternative arrangements may be made:

• Kaizu Osaki: viewing from the bus or a visit to the Metasequoia Tree-Lined Road
• Hōkōen Park: a stroll around Kurokabe Square
• Hikone: a walk along Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road

How to Use

Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.

Cancellation Policy

• 11 or more day(s) before the activity date: 0% cancellation fee
• Between 8 and 10 day(s) before the activity date: 20% cancellation fee
• Between 2 and 7 day(s) before the activity date: 30% cancellation fee
• 1 day(s) before the activity date: 40% cancellation fee
• On the activity date: 100% cancellation fee