Autumn Leaves in Japan

16 days from £13,500 for 2025 per person

• Tokyo
• Nikko
• Kanazawa
• Takayama
• Kyoto
• Hakone

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Japan’s autumn colours on this 16-day tailor-made itinerary, perfectly crafted to showcase some of the country’s most picturesque locations during the autumn season. This carefully curated itinerary takes you through vibrant cities and tranquil landscapes, offering a blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty.

Begin your adventure in Tokyo, where can step away from the neon-lit bustle and explore vibrant gardens and iconic shrines surrounded by golden fall colours, before heading to the scenic beauty of Nikko in the foothills of the Japan Alps. Yomeimon gate and the burial shrines of the Tokugawa shoguns are amongst the most ornate and detailed Japanese creations, with an added air of mystery, set against a backdrop of stunning autumn foliage. Nikko is also the start of Japan’s ‘romantic road’; a picturesque drive to the mighty Kegon falls and the shores of the tranquil Lake Chuzenji, a favourite weekend retreat for well-heeled Tokyoites.

Journey on to the historic town of Kanazawa where one can experience a wealth of quintessentially Japanese crafts and customs, before continuing back to the Japan Alps, via the charming hamlet of Shirakawa-go to Takayama, where atmospheric old wooden buildings line the main streets. The Alps are perhaps at their most beautiful in autumn when the prime leaf viewing spot of Kamikochi lake plateau is open, along with the Kurobe Alpine route and its snow corridor. You can reach Kamikochi lake plateau by taxi, an area of outstanding natural beauty, suitable for everyone from strolling families to hardened hikers.

No trip to Japan would be complete without a few days in Kyoto, which you can reach by train from Takayama. Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of historic temples, bamboo groves and scenic trails, where the autumn colours create a mesmerising atmosphere. Your penultimate stay is in Hakone, with its natural hot springs, tranquil lakes and panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, framed by the vibrant autumn landscape. Complete this grand loop of central Japan by catching the bullet train back to Tokyo. 

This comprehensive itinerary not only highlights Japan’s autumn beauty but also offers an authentic cultural experience, from ancient temples and peaceful gardens, to traditional villages and scenic hiking paths, this tour will leave you with lasting memories of Japan at its most colourful.

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign.
Robert Louis Stevenson