Tour recommended spots carefully selected by the driver! Operates in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Takatsuki!
Nihon Kotsu Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuharu Wakabayashi; hereinafter “Nihon Kotsu”) and Nihon Kotsu Group Kansai, a subsidiary of Nihon Kotsu in the Kansai area (Representative Corporation: Nihon Kotsu Kansai Headquarters Co., Ltd.; Head office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President and CEO: Takashi Kaneda; hereinafter “Kansai Group”), will operate the “Hanami Taxi 2025,” a sightseeing taxi that tours famous cherry blossom spots, for a limited time. Reservations will begin on Monday, March 3, 2025, and the taxi is scheduled to run for a limited time from Saturday, March 15, 2025 to Friday, April 11, 2025.
Cherry blossom viewing taxi (image)
Nihon Kotsu Group’s “Hanami Taxi” began operating in 2017 and has been well-received every year as a service that allows you to efficiently travel around cherry blossom viewing spots carefully selected by taxi drivers. You can easily enjoy the cherry blossom season that passes in the blink of an eye from the private space of a taxi. The operating areas are Tokyo (operated by Nihon Kotsu), Osaka City, Kobe City, and Takatsuki City (operated by Kansai Group).
The driver will guide you to the “most beautiful cherry blossom scenery right now”
The “Hanami Taxi” tours cherry blossom viewing spots recommended by selected drivers. As “professionals” who know the town, the drivers not only guide you to cherry blossom viewing spots, but also collect and share information with each other about the best cherry blossom viewing spots on any given day. As a result, they can take you to hidden spots that are not listed on the route, taking into account the cherry blossom blooming status and road conditions on the day.
The service will feature specially designed vehicles decorated with cherry blossom petals, creating a cherry blossom viewing atmosphere from the moment you board the train.
Cherry blossom viewing taxi (image)
A private space that supports cherry blossom viewing for families with children and the elderly
By using a taxi, you can avoid the hassle of driving a car, finding a parking space, renting a car, and transferring between public transport, and you can avoid crowds and relax in a private space. As it is not easily affected by the weather or cold, it is also recommended for families with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It is also used as a gift for parents and loved ones.
In addition, Nihon Kotsu will operate “new normal taxis” equipped with air purifiers, air cleanliness monitors, and new droplet infection shields, so you can rest assured about measures against hay fever and infectious diseases such as colds and influenza.
If you use a taxi, you can create your own cherry blossom viewing tour.
Taking advantage of the high mobility of our taxis, we can flexibly change the route to meet your needs. You can also stop by a store that catches your eye and shop for limited-time items to coincide with the cherry blossom viewing. Please feel free to contact us if you would like us to pick you up from your designated location, such as the station, airport, hotel, or home, or to take you to a restaurant with a reservation.
Not only can you enjoy the view from the train window, but you can also get off and stop at your favorite spots. If you request, the driver will act as your photographer and help you create memories.
Cherry blossom viewing taxi (image)
[Reservation acceptance and operation period]
Reservations accepted: Monday, March 3, 2025 to Thursday, April 10, 2025 (planned)
Operation period: Saturday, March 15, 2025 to Friday, April 11, 2025 (planned)
*We plan our tours taking into consideration the cherry blossom forecast, but please understand that we may not be able to meet your requests due to sudden changes in weather and temperature, etc. Also, please be aware that we may not be able to accommodate sudden changes to reservations.
[Tokyo area (Tokyo 23 wards, Musashino City, Mitaka City)]
(1) Standard Course
Operating hours: (Morning) 9:30-13:00 (Afternoon) 13:00-16:30 (Night Cherry Blossom) 16:30-20:00 Duration: 3.5 hours each
Suggested itinerary:
(Departing from Tokyo Station) JR Tokyo Station → Yasukuni Shrine → Chidorigafuchi → Akasaka Ark Hills → Zojoji Temple/Tokyo Tower → JR Tokyo Station
(Departing and arriving at Ueno Station) JR Ueno Station → Kan’ei-ji Temple → Yanaka Cemetery → Shinobazu Pond → Sumida Park → JR Ueno Station
*The above is a model course and the route may change depending on the cherry blossom conditions on the day, crowding, etc.
(2) Custom-made course
We also accept “custom-made courses” where we will create an original course according to your wishes (usage time can range from 3.5 hours to half a day). Our qualified tour guides will ask you about your schedule and requests in advance, and propose the best cherry blossom viewing plan based on real information about the flowers in bloom, so that you can enjoy the most beautiful view at that time. We can also set up departure and arrival from your home or hotel within Tokyo’s 23 wards, Musashino City, or Mitaka City. We recommend this service to those who want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at their own pace, those who want to travel along a course of their own choosing, and those who want to go on a long trip.
○Please also enquire about “night cherry blossoms”.
We also accept orders for night cherry blossom viewing, allowing you to enjoy a quiet and fantastical cherry blossom viewing experience. We offer a “night cherry blossom tour” as part of our standard course. We are also happy to discuss custom courses.
○We also accept reservations for “day trips” to Mt. Fuji.
We can also take you to famous cherry blossom viewing spots around Mt. Fuji. Please feel free to contact us for a “One-day taxi tour (Mt. Fuji course/Yamanashi Katsunuma course)” departing and arriving in Tokyo.
Price: Standard course and custom-made course: 3.5 hours from 21,110 yen per car (2,950 yen for every 30 minutes thereafter)
*Toll road fees, facility admission fees, admission fees, etc. will be borne by the customer.
*Prices differ for wagon types (Esquire, Alphard). If you wish to travel with 4 or more people, please check in advance.
*For “Day Trip Taxi Tours,” a flat rate day trip tour fee can be applied. Please enquire when booking.
Vehicles: JPN TAXI (4 passenger capacity), Alphard, Esquire (6 passenger capacity)
*Vehicle type cannot be specified as it will be arranged based on the number of reservations and availability.
*Operations in the Tokyo area will be handled by EDS (Expert Driver Service)® tourist taxi drivers who are also qualified tourist guides.
How to make a reservation: Please make a reservation via the EDS website or by phone.
EDS application page http://www.nikkotaxi.jp/sightseeing/request
*Please write “Cherry Blossom Viewing Taxi Request” in the “Other” section of the application form.
Phone: 050-3160-4453 (for inquiries and applications only)
* Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00
Special benefits for passengers: As passengers approach cherry blossom viewing spots, a stamp rally event will be held where passengers can collect digital stamps on their smartphones. All participants will receive a commemorative cherry blossom viewing taxi ride certificate, and original Nihon Kotsu novelties will be presented according to the number of stamps collected.
*The stamp rally event will be held from Monday, March 24th, 2025 to Sunday, April 6th, 2025.
*Gifts are on a first-come, first-served basis and will end when stock runs out.
Cherry Blossom Viewing Taxi Special Website: https://www.nikkotaxi.jp/sightseeing/ohanami/
About Nikko Taxi EDS (Expert Driver Service)®: https://www.nikkotaxi.jp/
[Kansai area (Osaka City, Kobe City, Takatsuki City)]
Operating hours: The tour will run according to the route specified by the customer.
Suggested itinerary:
(8-hour Kyoto course) Osaka Station → Arashiyama Kumahiko Tankuma Kitaten → Haratanien cherry blossoms → Myoshinji Temple → Hirano Shrine → Ryoanji Temple → Gion Shirakawa cherry blossoms → Osaka Station
(Nara 8-hour course) Osaka Station → Asuka Ishibutai Tomb → Roadside Station Yoshinoji → Yoshinoyama Kamisenbon, Nakasenbon, Shimosenbon → Yoshinoyama – Senbonguchi Ropeway ride (vehicle return) → Osaka Station
(6-hour night cherry blossom course) Osaka Station → Otsu Miidera Temple → Lake Biwa Canal → Heian Shrine Garden Cherry Blossoms → Osaka Station
(3-hour Osaka course) Osaka Station → Osaka Castle → Minamitenma Park → Sakuranomiya/Kema → Osaka Station
(Kobe 3-hour course) Sannomiya Station → Ikuta River Park → Oji Park → Togagawa Park → Sannomiya Station
(Takatsuki 3-hour course) Takatsuki Station → Settsu Gorge → Cherry Blossom Embankment of Takatsuki Shinkawa → Akutagawa Cherry Blossom Embankment Park → Takatsuki Station
*The above is a model course and the route may change depending on the cherry blossom conditions on the day, crowding, etc.
*If you would like to visit spots other than those listed above or remote locations, please contact our reservation desk.
Fee:
(Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Takatsuki) 6,300 yen per hour / vehicle (3,150 yen per 30 minutes thereafter)
(Kobe) 6,600 yen/car per hour (3,300 yen/30 minutes thereafter)
*All fees are from the time of departure from the sales office.
*For the Kyoto and Nara course, arrangements will be made from Osaka or Takatsuki.
*Toll road fees, facility admission fees, admission fees, etc. will be borne by the customer.
Vehicles: JPN TAXI, BYD (4 passenger capacity), Alphard (6 passenger capacity), Esquire (5 passenger capacity, 6 passenger capacity in Kobe and Takatsuki areas)
*Alphard and Esquire are provided as hire cars.
*Depending on the reservation situation, we may not be able to accommodate your request.
*Operations in the Kansai area (Osaka, Kobe, Takatsuki) will be handled by “Hanami Taxi” drivers selected within the Kansai Group.
How to make a reservation: Please apply via the dedicated application page.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK4p5Kc04lY6umSJrE1jXwtGtw_3cZbXUQiu_G9Nh4967hCA/viewform
