How much does it cost?

From A$17,985 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,900 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, the tour travels by bullet train (Shinkansen) along the Honshu corridor from Tokyo through Hiroshima to Aomori.

Which trains are used?

The bullet train (Shinkansen), on the Tokyo to Hiroshima to Aomori corridor on Honshu.

Where does the tour go?

The length of Honshu from Tokyo to Akita, including Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hakone, Niigata and Sendai, plus a side trip to Hakodate on Hokkaido.

One departure is currently scheduled, for March 2027, timed to see cherry blossoms in bloom.

Railway Adventures · Escorted tour

Japan Springtime Spectacular 2027

18-day escorted bullet-train tour chasing cherry blossoms across Japan

Railway Adventures runs the Japan Springtime Spectacular, an 18-day, 17-night escorted rail tour billed as a small group tour for seniors, with Chris Darvall as Tour Leader throughout. The trip starts in Tokyo and travels the length of Honshu, Japan's largest island, chasing cherry blossoms in full bloom from Hiroshima in the south to Aomori in the north, with a side trip to the northern island of Hokkaido. The route includes Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hakone, Niigata and Sendai, and travel along the Tokyo to Hiroshima to Aomori corridor is by bullet train, the Shinkansen. The evidence describes Tokyo's neon-lit skyscrapers and quiet temples, and Kyoto's Geisha traditions and historic temples. This trip suits older travellers who want an escorted, small group introduction to Japan timed around the cherry blossom season, covering a long list of cities rather than a single region.

What to know before you look closer

No day-by-day itinerary is published, so which cities are reached by bullet train versus other transport, and on which day, is not detailed here.
Only one departure is currently scheduled, for March 2027.
Single travellers pay $22,205 AUD against the $17,985 AUD twin-share fare, a single supplement well above half the twin price.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$17,985 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,900 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, the tour travels by bullet train (Shinkansen) along the Honshu corridor from Tokyo through Hiroshima to Aomori.
Is it escorted or independent?: Fully escorted, described as a small group tour for seniors, with Chris Darvall as Tour Leader throughout.
Which trains are used?: The bullet train (Shinkansen), on the Tokyo to Hiroshima to Aomori corridor on Honshu.
Where does the tour go?: The length of Honshu from Tokyo to Akita, including Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hakone, Niigata and Sendai, plus a side trip to Hakodate on Hokkaido.
When does it run?: One departure is currently scheduled, for March 2027, timed to see cherry blossoms in bloom.