Neil Bathia

Neil Bathia 🎒Solo travel x adventure x photography
👇🏽 Travel Musings and Tips
🌎 www.aavaaraneil.com

🎒Solo travel x adventure x photography
✉️ [email protected]
👇🏽 Travel Musings and Tips (www.aavaaraneil.com)

11/05/2026

Spring loaded 🌸😊

Summers loading, and possibly some changes with it ✌🏼

Roadside pitstops never looked so good 🌸☺️Sometimes you never know how lucky you are in a moment. That was exactly the c...
23/04/2026

Roadside pitstops never looked so good 🌸☺️

Sometimes you never know how lucky you are in a moment. That was exactly the case when we visited Fuji, and we had three full clear days of this view, which meant stopping as often as we could to soak in the sight of the iconic Fuji, and usually with a side of Sakura 🌸🗻

📍 Hirano Jinja ShrineVisiting this Shinto Shrine was easily one of my top two mornings in Kyoto. It’s definitely not one...
16/04/2026

📍 Hirano Jinja Shrine

Visiting this Shinto Shrine was easily one of my top two mornings in Kyoto. It’s definitely not one of the more well known (or at least most popular) spots. Between the lower footfall and super early start, it was just us and a few others there for their own quiet mornings.

A beautiful, serene, backdrop for a reflective morning, and plenty of time to observe and capture the blossoms and architecture of this temple.

A shared yet individual morning for all of us. The perfect start to a day ⛩️🌸

How to avoid cherry blossom crowds in Japan 🌸Everyone wants the shot. But is the wait worth it? 10 strategies that actua...
09/04/2026

How to avoid cherry blossom crowds in Japan 🌸

Everyone wants the shot. But is the wait worth it?

10 strategies that actually work (especially #5 if you don’t want to sacrifice peak bloom):
→ Early starts (before 7am/ass crack of dawn is better)
→ Weekday visits
→ Skip famous spots for hidden aka lesser known gems
→ Wander around aimlessly - seriously get lost, those hidden gems will be actually hidden.
→ The ‘Sakura Navi’ app and its proximity notifs will help if you want something tangible and the thought of aimless wander isn’t for you. Though I highly recommend the aimless wander, it’s the best way to have the most unique overall experience, the sights, the discoveries, the food, they’ll be yours.
→ Chase late bloom (fewer tourists)
→ Go a bit earlier in season and see wisteria (also very beautiful) and arrive a bit early for cherry blossom, you may not catch them at peak
→ Leave the golden triangle
→ Go North for later peak bloom season

Quiet moments amongst the blooms? It’s getting more “difficult” but with a little extra effort, creativity and some patience it’s absolutely possible.

That’s the magic I went for. We experienced both and the feeling when you get that quiet moment to appreciate where you are, and the beauty of what’s around you, it’s hard to explain the joy and hope you feel.

Which 5 spots to skip + where to go instead → Full guide in bio under ‘Travel Tips’ >> ‘How to Avoid Cherry Blossom Crowds in Japan’

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04/04/2026

Japan cherry blossoms peak now->3 weeks 🌸

Best viewing times 2026:
→ Tokyo: March 28 - April 3 (it’s almost over)
→ Kyoto: March 31 - April 6
→ Mt. Fuji: April 8 - April 14

This window closes fast. Plan accordingly.

Full 2026 forecast for 10+ cities in the rest of Japan → Link in bio under “”Cherry Blossom Forecast””

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Kyoto hit full bloom yesterday 🌸Every temple. Every path. Peak bloom.This is what March 31 - April 6 looks like.💾 Save t...
01/04/2026

Kyoto hit full bloom yesterday 🌸

Every temple. Every path. Peak bloom.

This is what March 31 - April 6 looks like.

💾 Save this for 2027
📩 Send to whoever’s there right now

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