A quick trip outside of Tokyo to see the best early cherry blossoms in Japan - Kawazu-zakura

We took the speical Saphir Odoriko to visit one of the most famous early sakura spots outside of Tokyo last week. Come join us to explore the beautiful Kawazu-zakura (河津桜) in Izu, followed by the special Totoro exhibition at the Izu Teddy Bear Museum and the cookie buffet at Tivoli Sweets Factory in Yugawara.

The private rooms in Saphir Odoriko is quite hard to book. The best way is to buy the tickets in person 30 days in advance at one of the JR offices in the JR station.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/saphir/en/

For timetable for the Kurofune Train (黒船電車), here’s the official website (in Japanese only):
https://www.izukyu.co.jp/resort21/

More info about the Izu Teddy Bear Museum: https://www.teddynet.co.jp/izu/. Make sure to check their opening dates in advance.

More info about the Tivoli Yugawa Sweets Factory:
https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-...

Timetable:
00:30 Boarding Saphir Odoriko at Shinagawa Station in Tokyo
01:00 Quick tour of the train including our private room
01:43 Lunch inside our private room
02:32 Getting off at Izu Kogen Station
02:45 Checking into Kamenoi Hotel (亀の井ホテル)
03:13 Hotel lounges with unlimited drinks and ice cream bars
05:13 Dinner at hotel including kids meal set
05:48 Breakfast buffet
06:35 Riding the Kurofune Train to Kawazu station
07:11 Kawazu-zakura cherry blossom viewing in Kawazu!
10:20 Izu Teddy Bear Museum and the special Totoro exhibition
12:55 Tivoli Yugawara Sweets Factory with all-you-can-eat cookie buffet