Japan in a riot of colours from flowers, and the best way to experience that is by train.

Travel by panoramic view train for a day trip to Boso that starts at Goi Station of Uchibo.

Travel by Kominato Line and head for the terminal of the line, Kazusa-nakano Station.

The platform is distinct with a dome shape, so you can’t miss it. The other distinct feature – references to bamboo, with even a toilet with the design of bamboo. The reason – this is the place to go hunting for bamboo shoot and of course enjoy bamboo shoot cuisine.

Arived at Nishihata Station and call for a pick-up service at the station to go to the Bamboo shoot village which is five minutes away. There are 5 bamboo groves in the village and you can pick quality bamboo shoot at various farms which charge about 1400 yen (S$ 18.60) for one adult entry ticket for bamboo shoot hunting. You get to take home a maximum of 2 kg of bamboo shoot which visitors get to dig up themselves. This is weighed before the large shoots can be taken home. You could also try eating fresh bamboo shoot raw with rice for a taste sensation.

Head back to Nishihata Station and take the Isumi Railroad to find flowers. There's a panoramic spot where the train will slow down when passing through so travelers can take in the picturesque view. Stop at Otaki Station and visit Otaki castle town which is known as Small Edo of Boso. In front of the station, catch a rickshaw at the rickshaw stop which is part of the tourist centre.

The rickshaw runner often also serves as tourist guide of the Edo styled city which takes 30 minutes to view, from the Castle which was home of a general of the Shogun Tokugawa, to his shrine and colourful flowers along the way. Continue the train trip to the final stop which is Ohara, a seaside town and take in the sights and sounds of Ohara Kaigan Beach before heading home.

If you’re in Osaka, head to Abenobashi Station for a trip by train to see cherry blossoms in Nara at Yoshino. Catch the Sakura Liner or Kintetsu Express which runs between Osaka and Nara.

You can’t miss its trademark "SL" or pink wash which includes the colour of the seats.

It’s not long before travelers spot cherry trees blossoming along the way and the view along the line continues beautifully for the 40 minute ride which ends at Asuka Station, Nara which is the entry point to the ancient capital. First stop, the famous sightseeing spot - Ishibutai Kofun with its large stone structures. Look out too for the 4959 square metres tulip field. There are as many as 150,000 tulips planted in the garden in different shades and with up to 350 types. You can catch the tulips in full bloom from mid to end April. When it’s time for a meal head to the residential area of Kotodama where a 40-year-old home was converted into a cafe. Diners sit on the home’s old furniture which still remains, to enjoy the fresh and seasonal food. A Kotodama lunch costs 1500 yen (S$ 20) and includes salad, soup and a main meal which is cooked with edible flowers when in season. The menu is changed twice a week and includes coffee and handmade dessert.

Head back to the station and travel to Shimoichiguchi Station some 20 minutes from Asuka Station. This is the nearest station to Dorogawa onsen which is near Mt. Omine, a mountain prohibited to women. It takes about 1 hr and 20 minutes to get to the mountains. Three minutes from it is Dorogawa onsen and the hotel, founded for over 300 years. It features old Japanese style suites that with two rooms so meals are served in-room. Food is fresh from the area and includes mountain yam soba with kuhzu sauce and miso broth using wild boar meat. The hotel is just right to see cherry blossoms at Mt. Yoshino one of the best spots to see cherry blossoms.

Get across the Yoshino River and head for Yoshino Station to get to the famous spot that attracts up to 400000 visitors every year especially in spring. Take the ropeway to Yoshino-yama Station for a three minute ride to mountain top where cherry blossoms cover the entire mountain in pink. Head for the red bridge and the 1300 year Kinbusen-ji Temple appears. The approach to the UNESCO World Heritage in 2004 features traditional food along the way, such as the dessert kuzukiri, a specialty of Yoshino.

The next trip to find flowers starts from Karuizawa, Nagano that is close to Tokyo.

It takes only 1 hour by train and on reaching the mountain area, even though it may be still covered with snow, don't worry. On reaching Shinanoji by local line train the terminal of

Shinano Railway. go up to the mountains to see the cherry blossoms at an altitude of about 480m. You can also see a narcissus field in Shinshu International Music Village.

There are up to 100000 narcissus in bloom in spring as well as the yellow wild daffodil. Admission is free, and when the lavender bloom in June, the field changes to a garden in purple.

Nagano is famous for soba so lunch at a Soba restaurant like Fukujimaya which serves Shinshu soba and traditional ni-hachi soba As walnut is also prolific in the area, also try walnut ohagi made from walnut crushed into fine grains. Soba sets here cost 1050 yen (S$ 14).

Another trip to see flowers is Shinanoji. Travel by Shinano Railway to Ueda and the cherry blossoms will greet you through the windows. Visit Ueda, a castle town and the cradle of the Sanada clan. The ruins of the castle here is a famous spot for seeing cherry blossoms. During the

cherry blossom festival up to 750 cherry trees are in bloom. It's also lit up at night for a wonderful visit. From the station, take Bessho Line and continue to the hotel. Along the way, enjoy the view of Chikuma River. The Hanaya hotel established for 92 years offers chic and modern rooms with large tatami mats and views to cherry blossoms. A stay overnight with two meals costs 17850 yen (S$ 237). Nearby is the famous Bessho onsen a large public bath. For flowers, there's a 33060 square metre garden with tulips of different colours. There are 200 kinds of rare tulips among the one million tulips planted there. What's more special is the chance to dig up and take home tulips you like. You can have 2 tulips with the 500 yen (S$ 6.60) entrance fee.

Tulips are best from the end of April to the beginning of May. Also make a stop at Anzu no Sato (apricot Village), where you'll find farmers harvesting and 100 thousand apricot trees which make a beautiful sight when they blossom together.