JAPAN KOKUFU BONSAI TOUR 2026
5 - 16 February 2026
Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Kinashi & Okayama
£4,195.00 per person
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Join us for our Japan Kokufu Bonsai Tour 2026, where we will celebrate the 100th Kokufu Bonsai Ten, which is sure to be a very special event.
Our Japan Bonsai Tour is our signature tour which has been running annually since 2005. You will visit some of Japan’s most prestigious bonsai nurseries at Kinashi and Omiya bonsai villages, and visit the Kokufu Bonsai Ten – a fantastic chance to see some of the finest bonsai in the world. Join us and explore the serene temples of Kyoto, take a train ride across the shimmering Seto Inland Sea, and marvel at the astounding Tokyo metropolis – all the while discovering the very best bonsai and gardens that Japan has to offer. Experience the best of Japan and the best of bonsai with Japan Journeys.
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Attend the Kokufu Bonsai Ten, Japan's most important bonsai convention
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Shop at Ueno Green Club, home to a fantastic array of pots, tools, and of course, trees
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Explore two delightful bonsai villages in Kinashi and Omiya
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Travel in style on the world-famous Bullet Train
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Enjoy excellent Guided tours of Tokyo, Kyoto & Nara
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Take a stroll around Korakuen (Okayama), one of the top 3 gardens in Japan
DAILY ITINERARY
5/6 February: DEPART UK/ARRIVE IN JAPAN
Depart from London Heathrow Airport (with a change of plane en route) and arrive at Narita International Airport (Tokyo) the following day. (Non-UK passengers should make a flight booking to arrive before the main the group so that we can meet you at the airport). Transfer to your 3.5* hotel in central Tokyo by private coach and check in for 4 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.
7 February: (TOKYO) SHUNKA-EN AND ASAKUSA
Today we visit the Shunka-en Bonsai Museum which is owned by the Bonsai Master Kunio Kobayashi who has worked on numerous Kokufu prizewinning trees. We then visit the bustling Sensoji Temple in Asakusa before returning to our hotel. Enjoy a delicious included Welcome Dinner tonight.
8 February: TOKYO – KOKUFU BONSAI TEN
Today is the day we visit the wonderful Kokufu Bonsai-ten, the largest and most prestigious bonsai event held in Japan.
9 February: OMIYA BONSAI VILLAGE
We travel a little further north today by train to visit a selection of beautiful nurseries at Omiya Bonsai Village in Saitama prefecture, followed by the wonderful Omiya Bonsai Museum.
10 February: TOKYO TO KYOTO
Today we will spend a leisurely morning in Tokyo before speeding off on the Bullet Train to the old capital of Kyoto where we will stay 3 nights in a 3* hotel in central Kyoto. This afternoon we will go for a walk around Gion, the traditional centre of Kyoto.
11 February: KYOTO
After breakfast, depart on a full day tour of Kyoto by private coach. Visit the beautiful Temple and gardens of the Golden Pavilion and then enjoy a series of Zen Buddhist rock gardens at Daitoku-ji Temple. After lunch, we’ll visit the stunning Sanjusangendo temple complete with 1001 human sized Buddhist statues.
12 February: NARA
We take a short train trip to the town of Nara. There we walk to magnificent Todaiji Temple - the largest wooden building in the world and home to the Great Buddha - Japan’s largest. Take a stroll in Nara Park and feed the deer.
13 February: KINASHI BONSAI VILLAGE/OKAYAMA
After checking out of the hotel in the morning, we travel westward on the Bullet Train to Shikoku - the smallest and least explored of Japan’s 4 main islands. Here you have all day to explore wonderful Kinashi Bonsai Village – the largest Bonsai village in Japan where, amongst other sights, you can view field upon field of miniature black pines. Later in the afternoon, we travel to our nearby 3* hotel in Okayama for 1 night.
14 February : KORAKUEN GARDEN/TOKYO
Today we visit Korakuen, a traditional stroll garden in Okayama and one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens. In the afternoon, we return to Tokyo and check into the same hotel for 2 more nights.
15 February: KOKUFU BONSAI TEN PART II
Today you have a chance to revisit the Kokufu Bonsai-ten as there will be a new display of bonsai on show for the second part of the exhibition. We will have a Farewell Dinner this evening.
16 February: DEPART JAPAN
Sadly it is time to say sayonara. Transfer to Narita Airport (Tokyo) from where you depart home.
ACCOMMODATION
TOKYO: b ASAKUSA
KYOTO: SOTETSU FRESA INN KYOTO SHIJOKARASUMA
OKAYAMA: TOYOKO INN OKAYAMA-EKI
DATES & INCLUSIONS
TOUR DATES:
5 - 16 February 2026
TRIP PRICES
Total Price £4,195.00 per person based on Twin/Double room occupancy
Land-Only Price £3,195.00 per person based on Twin/Double room occupancy.
(not including flights, non-UK passengers only)
Single Room Supplement £595.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
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Economy Class scheduled international return flights to Tokyo
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10 nights’ hotel accommodation at centrally located 3* & 3.5* hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto & Okayama with breakfast daily
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Services of a knowledgeable Japan Journeys Guide throughout
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Delicious Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner
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Airport Transfers in Japan for those passengers arriving and departing with the main group (pre- and post- extension passengers will need to arrange their own airport transfers)
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Private air-conditioned coach tour of Kyoto
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Bullet Train tickets for all your long journeys
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All long distance, local and subway train fares mentioned in itinerary
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Sightseeing and entrance fees to all named attractions on tour
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Separate baggage transfer for one piece of luggage per person from Tokyo to Kyoto, and from Kyoto to Tokyo
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All Japanese sales taxes and service charge.
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Full financial protection via Japan Journeys’ membership of the Travel Trust Association
through which your monies are held in a Trust Account until you return home.
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
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Travel insurance
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Meals (other than those mentioned above)
BOOKING INFORMATION
To make a booking, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required.
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The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
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Full terms and Conditions
All price estimates are based on a minimum number of passengers travelling in February 2026. All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange.
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment, and loss or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low-cost cover to their customers.
