This 12 day tour to discover Autumn and Winter Illuminations is the perfect itinerary for first-time travelers to Japan with an experienced English-speaking tour guide. Meals and Accommodations are all covered in the tour, with a free-and-easy component for 3 days. This tour is designed with the seasons in mind, and will bring you to all the must-see spots across Japan to see the best that the country has to offer in the fall.

Tour Duration: 12 Days
Language(s): English

This day trip from Tokyo to the Mount Fuji area and Hakone brings you up to the Fifth Station of Mount Fuji to see the view from 2,400 meters above ground. You’ll also be able to ride the ropeway cable car in the Owakudani Volcanic Valley, and take a cruise near Hakone on the Ashinoko Lake. Hakone is beautiful for its autumn leaves, and the ropeway as well as the cruise are great ways to experience the changing of colors this beautiful season firsthand. For shopping lovers, this tour also drops by the Gotemba Premium Outlets for a shopping trip during the lunch pitstop.

Tour Duration: 11 hours
Language(s): English, Mandarin

This maple leaves tour takes you outside of Tokyo to spots such as the Watarase Valley Railway where you can take a ride on the train and enjoy the rich colors of autumn from the windows; visit Takatsudokyo Gorge which is painted red in the fall, and the Ashikaga Flower Park with the largest light shows in the region.

This tour is facilitated by a Japanese speaking guide, with video translation services in English and Mandarin available, making it convenient for groups that have different language preferences to travel together.

Tour Duration: 1 Day
Language(s): English, Mandarin, Japanese

Nikko in Tochigi prefecture, is home to one of the most iconic shrines, the Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site known for its intricate carvings paying homage to Japan’s legendary shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. For the fall, there are locations such as Irohazaka Winding Road with its 48 hairpin turns, Lake Chuzenji and its crystal clear waters, and the Kegon Falls where you’ll be able to witness these well-known sites transform into a canvas of red and orange. This tour also includes lunch, an authentic Japanese Buddgist cuisine meal with chestnut rice and yuba (tofu skin).

Tour Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes
Language(s): English, Mandarin

Head to Kawagoe for the day, where the ancient and traditional meets the modern in Kawagoe Old Street. Experience autumn in charming Little Edo, where the red maple leaves and the scenic views complement one another. Stroll amongst 17th century wooden buildings and charcoal-tiled houses of the kurazukuri(warehouse) district. There is so much to experience in this town that seems to have stopped with time. Pickup is offered for this tour, and tour price will depend on the number of total participants.

Tour Duration: 6 hours
Language(s): English

This bus tour guarantees the best of autumn colors from Nagoya, bringing its passengers to Korankei where over 4,000 colorful maple trees stand proudly amongst charming old streets; and Obara, where the stunning autumn leaves can be viewed alongside cherry blossoms - a rare sight indeed. The combination of reds and pinks on this tour is sure to delight any nature lover, or photography lover. There is also an orange-picking experience included in the tour.

Tour Duration: 10 hours 45 minutes
Language(s): English

Visit Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site famous for their unique architecture, the gassho-zukuri style of farmhouses. These houses are extremely rare in Japan, and no nails or metals are used during the construction of the house, adding to its allure. You’ll also visit Hida Takayama, where the old charm of the streets seem to bring to mind a more traditional Japan of the past. Lunch is provided, and will feature local ingredients and delicacies from the Hida region.

Tour Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes
Language(s): English, Japanese

Gozaisho Mountain in Mie prefecture is a highlight in autumn, with the mountains adorned with a palette of reds, oranges, and yellow, offering a spectacular display of autumn foliage. The observation deck at its summit provides a stunning 360-degree view of the region, including Lake Biwa and the city of Nagoya, especially breathtaking during the autumn season when the landscape is ablaze with color. The second stop, Nabana no Sato, is one of the largest gardens in Japan, where you can admire seasonal flowers taking center stage every season.

Tour Duration: 1 Day
Language(s): English, Mandarin, Japanese

The city of Kyoto blazes with autumn colors during the season; but for those looking for a tour guide to show them around, this is the tour for you. The tour will drop by popular autumn foliage spots, including the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Tofukuji Temple. For those who want a little extra artistic experience, this tour also includes a fox painting session, a traditional Japanese craft which symbolizes protection and most frequently found at the entrance of the home.

Tour Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes
Language(s): English

Arashiyama, a picturesque district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, is renowned for its stunning autumn foliage. This enchanting area is one of the most popular destinations in Japan during the fall, and is known for its iconic bamboo forest, surrounded by the scenic tapestry of autumn colors. For morning tour participants, you’ll also enjoy the Hozugawakudari River Boat Ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama, getting a taste of how people traveled down the river. The Sagano Romantic Train, where you will travel on a train meant for an unforgettable ride of autumn colors from all angles, is a bonus on this tour.

Tour Duration: 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes
Language(s): English

Drop by the historic city of Nara, also known for the wandering deer, and take a walk in popular autumn leaves spots, including Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Hasedera Temple. For foodies, the tour also includes a sushi-making experience.

Tour Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes
Language(s): English

Just a short 30-minute ride away from Osaka, you’ll hit Minoh, a serene city surrounded by nature known for its fall colors. Savor local delights such as maple leaf tempura and grilled ayu(sweetfish), and perhaps spot a few wild monkeys on the tour. You’ll also be able to experience fall at the stunning Ryuanji Temple and Katsuoji Temple, where traditional architecture meets nature’s natural blaze.

Tour Duration: 5 hours 15 minutes
Language(s): English

Depart from Sendai and enjoy a leisure stroll around nostalgic Ginzan Onsen, a hot springs town known for its romantic setting. You’ll also visit the Naruko Gorge, one of the best spots in Tohoku for autumn foliage, and enjoy a delightful autumn experience while soothed by the gentle murmuring of the streams and the splash of the grand waterfalls.

Tour Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Language(s): English

The Oirase Gorge is a popular destination in Northern Japan; breathtaking in the fall with its scenic hiking routes and mountainous views, the 14 plunging waterfalls and icy rapids iconizing the gorge is a nature lovers paradise that paints the area red this season. This tour is customizable, and will be planned in accordance to what you would like to experience. The trail is 2.5 km long, or 1.8 miles, and is doable for people at all fitness levels.

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Language(s): English

Appreciate the beautiful autumn scenery of Hokkaido with this tour, with multiple stops at different nature highlights. There’s Toyodaira Gorge, one of the ‘100 Selected Reservoir Lake Views’ of Japan; in the beautiful valleys of Jozankei nestled in the forests and well known for its red leaves spot in autumn; Lake Toya, an ice-free lake with its clear waters reflecting the beautiful reds of the autumn foliage surrounding its waters; Showa Shinzan, a dormant volcano with stunning views of Lake Toya and an open observatory. It’s a tour that brings you all that you need to see this autumn in Hokkaido.

Tour Duration: 1 Day
Language(s): English, Mandarin, Japanese

A tour for the active, try stand-up paddling in the Jozankei Valley, admiring the autumn views while leisurely cruising on the crystal-clear lake. Away from the bustle of urban life, the valley offers a serene refuge for those seeking solace amongst the kaleidoscope of colors, a masterpiece of nature. For those that want something other than the opportunity to hike along the trails, this SUP experience is sure to be a highlight.

Tour Duration: 2 hours
Language(s): English, Japanese

Enjoy a full-day adventure to Hokkaido’s most famous spots just a short ride away from Sapporo city. Meet adorable animals at the Asahiyama Zoo, and bask in the peaceful atmosphere and unique azure colors of the waters at Shirogane Blue Pond, contrasting with the autumn colors.

Tour Duration: 11 hours 5 minutes to 40 minutes
Language(s): English, Mandarin, Japanese

(Note: Tour contents and availability may change. Please see the official websites for the latest information.)