Cherry Blossoms, New Friends and Japanese Adventures -
In March 2026, I had the pleasure of escorting a wonderful group of ten travellers from New Plymouth on an unforgettable journey through Japan. We travelled in search of cherry blossoms, but as often happens with travel, we discovered so much more along the way.
For some members of our group, the adventure began a week early with a stay in Nozawa Onsen, enjoying the final weeks of the Japanese ski season. From snow-covered mountains to spring blossoms, it was a uniquely Japanese combination and the perfect way to start what would become an incredible holiday.
The rest of us boarded Air New Zealand's direct flight to Tokyo, arriving on a mild March evening filled with anticipation. Our home for the next three nights was the Park Hotel Tokyo, with our Tokyo Tower view rooms provided spectacular city vistas both day and night. On our first morning, we woke up to an incredible view of Mt Fuji, in a cloud free sky in the distance.
Tokyo never disappoints. During our first few days we immersed ourselves in both the old and the new. We visited the Imperial Palace, explored the historic streets of Asakusa, admired the views from Tokyo Tower and experienced the elegance and tradition of a Japanese tea ceremony. One moment we were surrounded by centuries of history and culture; the next we were standing amidst the bright lights and energy of modern Tokyo.
A particular highlight was our visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, hidden within a tranquil forest in the middle of the city. It felt worlds away from the bustling streets beyond its gates. We also crossed the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, joining thousands of people moving in every direction yet somehow avoiding collision. It's one of those experiences that can only truly be appreciated in person.
However, if you asked the group to nominate their favourite Tokyo experience, many would likely choose our sushi-making class. We visited a small female-owned sushi business and learned from one of Japan's relatively few female sushi chefs. Under her patient guidance, we discovered the art of preparing sushi rice, shaping nigiri and creating beautifully presented rolls. There was plenty of laughter as our first attempts took shape, and even more when we sat down to enjoy the results. It was authentic, hands-on and a wonderful insight into an important part of Japanese culture.
Before leaving Tokyo, several of us visited the famous Tsukiji Fish Market and enjoyed a stroll through the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens. Here we caught our first real glimpse of spring beginning to emerge. The cherry blossoms were still tentative, only just starting to appear, but it felt like a promise of what was to come.
From Yokohama we boarded Seabourn Encore, our luxurious home for the next two weeks. For many of the group, it was their first experience on a smaller luxury ship, and it quickly became clear why Seabourn has such a devoted following.
One of the joys of travelling on a smaller vessel is the ease of everything. There are no crowds, no lengthy queues and no feeling of being rushed. Embarkation was effortless, and within a day the crew seemed to know all of our names. Favourite drinks appeared without asking, coffee orders were remembered, and every interaction felt warm and genuine. The staff's attention to detail and friendly nature created an atmosphere that felt more like staying in a luxury boutique hotel than travelling on a ship.
As we sailed around Japan, visiting Kobe, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Beppu, Kochi and Shimizu, as well as Busan in South Korea, the cherry blossom season slowly unfolded around us. This was one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Rather than seeing the blossoms in just one location, we watched them gradually emerge as we travelled. Each port seemed a little pinker than the last. By the final days of the voyage, we were seeing magnificent displays of blossoms in full bloom, transforming parks, riverbanks and city streets into picture-perfect scenes. It became apparent that the real advantage of the cruise, was accessing the remoter parts of Japan without stress and the logistics of how to get to these places. We just turned up! Literally at the entrance to the city.
The relaxed nature of both the cruise and our group made for a wonderful travel experience. During the day everyone headed off on their own adventures, following their own interests and curiosities. Then each evening we would gather together for drinks and dinner, sharing stories from the day.
These nightly catch-ups became one of my favourite parts of the journey.
There was always plenty of laughter. Bev and Relwyn enthusiastically sought out local roller coasters whenever the opportunity arose, returning with tales of thrilling rides and unexpected discoveries. Lesley and Chris, Steve and Marilyn embraced Japan's vibrant street-food scene, sampling all sorts of local delicacies and encouraging the rest of us to be adventurous too. One afternoon Lesley introduced us to chocolate-dipped sweet potato skewers, a combination that sounded unusual but turned out to be surprisingly delicious.
Meanwhile, Neil and Rae seemed determined to explore every destination on foot. Day after day they set off on long walks through cities, parks and neighbourhoods, often clocking up impressive distances while uncovering hidden gems that many visitors would never find.
What made the trip so enjoyable was that everyone travelled differently. Some sought out gardens and temples, others focused on food, shopping, history or simply soaking up the atmosphere. Yet every evening our individual experiences came together around the dinner table, creating shared memories and plenty of stories.
Before heading home, we enjoyed one final Tokyo experience that perfectly captured Japan's creativity and innovation. We visited teamLab Planets Tokyo, an immersive digital art experience unlike anything most of us had ever seen. Walking barefoot through rooms filled with water, light, colour and interactive displays, we became part of the artwork itself. It was fascinating, playful and completely unforgettable.
As our journey came to an end, there was a sense among the group that we had experienced something truly special. We had watched Japan transition from winter to spring, witnessed the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, explored incredible destinations and formed lasting friendships along the way.
The memories that remain are not just of temples, gardens and cherry blossoms, but of shared laughter, unexpected discoveries, wonderful conversations and the joy of travelling together. For our group from New Plymouth, Japan delivered everything we had hoped for and so much more. It was a journey filled with beauty, friendship, adventure and inspiration—one that will stay with us long after the last cherry blossom petal has fallen.
"For many, the journey reinforced the value of escorted travel — the confidence to explore a fascinating destination without the stress of planning every detail, while sharing the experience with like-minded travellers who quickly became friends."
