Tourism Visit Izu Kawazuzakura by helicopter

[thomas]

You'll need deep pockets, though.

Wealthy travellers seeking to avoid traffic and enjoy the renowned Kawazu cherry blossoms can now opt for luxurious helicopter day trips from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula. Priced at a hefty 3 million yen per group (up to eight passengers), this exclusive tour attracts affluent domestic and international visitors who prioritize maximizing their vacation time. The Kawazu cherry blossoms in Shizuoka Prefecture typically bloom in February.

Photo credit: KHI​

Travelling by car from Tokyo can take around three hours. Significant traffic congestion often makes the journey time-consuming and uncertain. This new helicopter tour offers a convenient alternative. It departs from a heliport in Tokyo's Koto Ward. The journey to the Shuzenji heliport in the northern Izu Peninsula takes only 35 minutes, and the Shimoda heliport in the south can be reached in 45 minutes.

Departing at 8 a.m., tourists travel to the Izu Peninsula to view the Kawazu cherry blossoms and participate in activities such as wasabi harvesting and traditional papermaking before returning to Tokyo by evening. Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. is behind the experience. The company developed Z-Leg, an online service allowing customers to book travel helicopters. Z-Leg, a subsidiary of the company, offers helicopter travel plans nationwide. The subsidiary has previously organized day trips from Nagoya Airport to Eiheiji temple in Fukui Prefecture and plans to launch a helicopter shuttle service to Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture in April. While the prices are sky-high, the service is popular among wealthy tourists who value time. Kawasaki Heavy Industries plans to expand the number of heliports to attract visitors to tourist destinations that are difficult to reach by land.

Tokyo-Izu tour offers helicopter travel for cherry blossom viewing | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[johnnyG]

Bike okay in a rinko bag?

 

[Lothor]

So the enjoyment of the hanami for everyone else is going to be marred by the buzzing of helicopters filled with wealthy tourists, as Hakone seemed to be when I went.