Best Autumn Leaves Tour of Japan

Itinerary

• Day 1: Tokyo, Arrival

  Welcome to Tokyo! Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and who will assist you with board transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Tokyo

• Day 2: Tokyo, City Highlights Tour

  Start your Tokyo city tour from Meiji Jingu, a shrine built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Although located in Tokyo's bustling city center, the shrine's surrounding forest creates a peaceful, tranquil vibe, and if you happen to enter from the Yoyogi entrance, you can see a massive torii gate standing in the road leading to the main shrine.

  Perhaps there is no better place to learn about Japan's culinary culture in Tokyo than the centrally-located Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. Roam around the market as your guide explains Japan's culinary culture, and stop at a restaurant to try some fresh seafood for lunch if you wish.

  Step into the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the only place open to the public in the palace. If your travel time falls in late October, then you might get the opportunity to take in the vibrant colors of autumn leaves as you stroll through the garden.

  Afterward, visit Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples with a history dating back to the 7th century. You can pray to the Kannon enshrined in the main hall just like the locals do, pick up an omikuji (random fortunes written on strips of paper), and get a temple seal stamp at the Yokodo located next to the main hall.

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  • Tokyo

• Day 3: Tokyo, Leisure Day

  Today is yours to explore this charming city at your own pace. Apart from numerous historic spots, you can step into some popular neighborhoods for a glimpse of Japanese daily life. Ramble around the Harajuku district - the center of teenage fashion and cosplay culture, or enjoy shopping at Ginza where the streets are lined up with high-end fashion boutiques, art galleries, and designer brand stores.

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  • Tokyo

• Day 4: Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Hakone

  Meet your local guide at the hotel lobby and depart for Mount Fuji. Upon arrival, board a cruise on Lake Kawaguchi and appreciate Mt. Fuji from a distance. Afterward, take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to an observation deck near the peak of Mount Tenjo for a panoramic view of the lake below and Mt. Fuji.

  In the afternoon, drive to Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you can capture its beautiful Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji as the backdrop. Then, immerse in the beauty of Oshino Hakkai, a set of eight ponds fed by snow melt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji. After the tour, transfer to Hakone and overnight in a ryokan with hot spring pools. Dinner is served in your hotel.

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  • Hakone

• Day 5: Hakone - Takayama

  With an easy guide and map on hand, make your way to Odawara Station (Hakone), from where you'll board the Shinkansen train to Nagoya Station (1h20min), and then change to Express Train to Takayama Station(2h50min). Upon arrival in Takayama, go to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

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  • Takayama

• Day 6: Takayama

  Start your day at the Morning Market, where you can mingle with the locals and stop at stands selling local crafts, snacks, and fresh produce. Then, move on to Takayama Jinya, the center of politics of Edo-era Takayama and now a museum lending insight into the administrative facilities back then. Afterward, head to Sannomachi Street to discover traditional homes, shops, and sake breweries lining both sides of the narrow street, and step into Kusakabe Folk Museum. An Edo-period merchants' house owned by the Kusakabe family, it now boasts a wide collection of folk crafts, including Hida ceramics.

  Next up is Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, a museum exhibiting four of the eleven spectacular floats featured in the autumn Takayama Matsuri, one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan. The nearby Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, serving as the venue for the autumn Takayama Matsuri, will then lend insight into the religion. A wonderful day comes to a close at Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, whose main temple building is the oldest structure in the city.

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  • Takayama

• Day 7: Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa

  A 1-hour drive will take you to Shirakawa-go, the fairy tale world made of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses hidden in the valley. You will visit Ogimachi Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to appreciate the beautiful farmhouses up close. Roam around to soak up the quaint vibe, then indulge in the splendid fall vista at Shirakawa-go Observation Deck.

  Afterward, take off the shoes and explore the living room, guest room, butsuma, and so on inside Wada House to get an idea of how people lived back then and pay a visit to Nagase House, a five-story residence passed down within the Nagase family for over 200 years. You can also opt to visit Kanda House to deepen your understanding of the unique lifestyle of the old times. At the end of the day, head to Kanazawa by road for the night.

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  • Kanazawa

• Day 8: Kanazawa - Kyoto

  This morning, visit Kenrokuen Garden to appreciate its water features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, and stones. In Kanazawa, the leaves start changing colors in October, and you might have the chance to appreciate the gorgeous hues here. Just a few steps from the garden is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Spend time according to your interest inside the museum and then visit the reconstructed Kanazawa Castle.

  After the tour, your guide will drop you off at Kanazawa Station, from where you can take the Shinkansen train to Kyoto Station. Find your way to the hotel upon your arrival and have a rest.

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  • Kyoto

• Day 9: Kyoto, Sagano Bamboo Grove

  Today, you will embark on a journey to Arashiyama, a place that is filled with scenic beauty and cultural significance. Your first stop will be at Jojakko-Ji Temple, where you will witness the serenity of the Japanese garden and experience the spiritual ambiance of the temple. After that, you will take a stroll through the Sagano Bamboo Grove, where you will be surrounded by towering bamboo trees that sway gently in the breeze. Don't forget to capture some stunning photos of the bamboo grove as it is one of the most photographed locations in Japan.

  And then explore the beautiful temple gardens of Tenryuji, a World Heritage Site considered one of Kyoto's best Zen temples. Afterward, board a Yakatabune, a traditional Japanese pleasure boat, and admire the scenic view of the Togetsukyo Bridge from the water.

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  • Kyoto

• Day 10: Kyoto - Osaka

  Explore the landmarks of Kyoto, including the Kinkaku-ji Temple with the top two floors completely covered in gold leaf, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates.

  Later, depart for Osaka, and visit Osaka Castle, which is arguably Osaka's most prominent landmark and belies bloody power struggles leading up to the 1603 foundation of the Edo era. After that, go to the Shinsaibashi shopping district and find yourself some lovely souvenirs.

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  • Osaka

• Day 11: Osaka - Nara - Osaka

  In the morning, meet your guide and head to Nara. Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara's most celebrated Shinto shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Then, step into Nara Park, a large park in central Nara and also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.

  If energy and time allow, visit Wakakusa Mountain, which is a 342-meter-high mountain that is located in Nara Park, near Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The bright green of the lawn that covers the whole mountain shines beautifully. Afterward, travel back to Osaka.

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  • Osaka

• Day 12: Osaka, Departure

  Have some time at leisure until your driver escorts you to the airport for your departure flight.

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