Far East7N/8DJapan
Tokyo · Hakone · Hamamatsu · Kyoto · Hiroshima · Osaka
Price on enquiry →
10N/11D · International
Japan in Autumn
Tokyo → Mount Fuji → Kyoto → Nara → Arashiyama → Osaka
Ten nights in November, when the maples turn red and the ginkgo trees turn gold. Five nights in Tokyo with a day at Mount Fuji, three in Kyoto with Nara and the temple night illuminations, and two in Osaka. In through Tokyo, out through Osaka, no backtracking.
- Duration
- 10N/11D
- Stops
- 6 places
- Best time
- Nov
- Price
- Price on enquiry
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive Tokyo — Asakusa, Ueno & Akihabara
Land at Narita or Haneda, pick up a Suica card for the trains, and transfer to a central hotel. Afternoon at Senso-ji and the Nakamise food street, then Ueno Park in its autumn colours. Akihabara's arcades and toy shops in the evening, and an early night. Overnight Tokyo.
Stay: Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Sky & Shinjuku
Meiji Jingu and its forest in the morning, with a good chance of a Shinto wedding procession, then Takeshita Street in Harajuku. Shibuya Sky is booked for the sunset slot, looking straight down on the Scramble Crossing. Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai in Shinjuku after dark. Overnight Tokyo.
Stay: Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 3: Mount Fuji Day Trip
A guided day with hotel pick-up. Chureito Pagoda with Fuji behind it and red maples around it, the spring-fed pools of Oshino Hakkai, and the lakeside view from Oishi Park at Kawaguchiko. If the dates line up, the day ends at the illuminated Momiji Corridor. November gives the best chance of a clear view, though no one can promise the mountain. Overnight Tokyo.
Stay: Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 4: Imperial Palace Gardens, teamLab & Tokyo Tower
The Imperial Palace East Gardens in the morning, then teamLab — wear trousers that roll up, as some rooms are ankle-deep water. Tokyo Tower in the late afternoon for the city by day and after dark. The Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue turns gold around the last week of November. Overnight Tokyo.
Stay: Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 5: Your Choice — Nikko, Hakone, Mount Takao or Tokyo at Leisure
An open day, booked once you choose. Nikko for Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls, Hakone for the ropeway and Lake Ashi, Mount Takao for an easy maple hike, or a slow day in Tokyo's gardens and shops. If anyone in the group has a birthday or anniversary, this is the night we plan a special dinner. Overnight Tokyo.
Stay: Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 6: Shinkansen to Kyoto — Nishiki, Gion & Pontocho
Shinkansen to Kyoto in about two and a quarter hours, with Fuji-side seats reserved. Large bags go ahead by courier the night before. Nishiki Market in the afternoon, a walk along the Kamo River into Gion, and dinner in Pontocho Alley. Overnight Kyoto.
Stay: Central Kyoto 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 7: Tofuku-ji, Fushimi Inari & Nara
Tofuku-ji at opening time, before the crowds reach the bridge over its maple ravine. Fushimi Inari's torii gates up to the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Afternoon in Nara for the deer, the Great Buddha at Todai-ji and the lantern path to Kasuga Taisha. Overnight Kyoto.
Stay: Central Kyoto 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 8: Tea Ceremony, Kiyomizu-dera & a Night Illumination
A tea ceremony in Gion in traditional dress, whisking your own matcha. Kiyomizu-dera above its maple hillside, down through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, then Kodai-ji and Kinkaku-ji. After dark, an autumn illumination at Eikan-do, Kiyomizu-dera or Kodai-ji, chosen for your dates. Overnight Kyoto.
Stay: Central Kyoto 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 9: Arashiyama & the Sagano Railway → Osaka
The bamboo grove at first light, then the Tenryu-ji garden. The Sagano Romantic Train along the Hozugawa gorge, which sells out weeks ahead in autumn. An onsen in Arashiyama in the afternoon, then about an hour to Osaka and out to Dotonbori for the evening. Overnight Osaka.
Stay: Namba or Umeda 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 10: Osaka — Castle, Kuromon & Umeda Sky
Osaka Castle and the Nishinomaru Garden early. Kuromon Market for roasted chestnuts and sweet potato, then Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura, and the lion-head stage at Namba Yasaka Shrine. Sunset from the Umeda Sky Building and a farewell dinner in Dotonbori. Minoo Falls can replace part of the day. Overnight Osaka.
Stay: Namba or Umeda 3–4★, or similar or similar
Day 11: Departure — or Extend
A last coffee and any final shopping, then the transfer to Kansai International Airport. If you would rather stay on, Hiroshima and Miyajima, Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen or Universal Studios Japan are all easy from Osaka.
What’s included
Included
- Hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on twin sharing, with breakfast
- Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto with reserved Fuji-side seats
- Guided Mount Fuji day tour with hotel pick-up
- Guided touring for Fushimi Inari and Nara, and Arashiyama
- All entry tickets and pre-booked experiences in the day plan
- Tea ceremony with kimono dressing in Gion, and one autumn night illumination
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Japan visa documentation support
Not included
- International flights
- Japan visa fees and travel insurance
- Local metro and bus fares (Suica top-ups)
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional experiences and extension days
- Tips, porterage and personal expenses
Hotels
Two budgets. We confirm the exact hotels, or similar, when you book.
Comfort
- Ginza or Shinjuku 3–4★, or similar
- Central Kyoto 3–4★, or similar
- Namba or Umeda 3–4★, or similar
Premium
- Central Tokyo 5★
- Kyoto ryokan or 5★
- Central Osaka 5★
Upgrades you can add
A night in an onsen ryokan
Tatami rooms, a hot-spring bath and a kaiseki dinner — in Hakone on Day 5 or in Kyoto.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Two more days from Osaka for the Peace Memorial and the torii gate in the sea.
Business-class flights
Lie-flat seats on every long sector. We can book through your preferred airline alliance.
Luxury car upgrade
Mercedes E-Class, Toyota Vellfire, or Innova Crysta — depending on destination.
Visa for Indian passports
From official sources, last checked October 2026. We confirm it again when we plan your trip.
JapanVisa in advance
Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan. You apply at a Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global), and tourist visas are issued electronically as an eVISA.
Documents and how to apply →
When to go
- Nov
- Autumn colour — Fuji early in the month, Kyoto from about the 15th, Tokyo last
Things to do
Mount Fuji day
Chureito Pagoda, the spring pools of Oshino Hakkai and the Lake Kawaguchiko shore, with a guide and hotel pick-up.
Kyoto night illuminations
Eikan-do, Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji open after dark in November and floodlight their maple gardens.
Tofuku-ji at opening time
The Tsutenkyo Bridge looks over a ravine of about two thousand maples. Go early; it fills up fast.
Nara
Free-roaming deer, the 15-metre bronze Buddha of Todai-ji, and the lantern path to Kasuga Taisha.
Sagano Romantic Train
An open-sided railcar along the Hozugawa gorge, 25 minutes through red and gold. Sells out weeks ahead.
Tea ceremony in Gion
In kimono or hakama, whisking your own matcha under a tea master.
Photos
Japan in Autumn: common questions
- It moves south and downhill. Around Mount Fuji it peaks in the first half of November, Kyoto from roughly the 15th to the end of the month, and Tokyo in the last week. Forecasts come out in September and we time your dates to them.
- Yes, with planning. Every restaurant and cafe we suggest is chosen with that in mind, and we share a pure-veg shortlist for each city before you go.
- It is Japan's busiest domestic travel month. Hotels, the Sagano railway and the night illuminations sell out weeks in advance.
- Yes. A seven- or eight-night version covers Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto. It can also be extended from Osaka to Hiroshima, Himeji or Arima Onsen.
- No. Every trip is planned for one family, couple or group of friends at a time: flights, hotels, drivers, guides and sightseeing, all chosen for you.
- Message us on WhatsApp — there is no form. Tell us roughly where, roughly when, and who is travelling. A trip designer replies personally, usually the same day, and follows up with a call to understand your priorities before sending a proposal.
- Where we show a figure it is indicative, per couple, and all-inclusive — flights, visa, hotels, sightseeing, transfers, breakfast and dinner. It is a planning number, not a quote: it is confirmed once hotels and transport are actually held, and it moves with the exchange rate on the day of booking. Trips without a figure are priced on enquiry.
- Yes. On our Europe trips both are included in the indicative price — return flights and visa application support and fees. Elsewhere we book flights through your preferred airline alliance and co-ordinate visa documentation separately.
Plan your Japan in Autumn trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We send this plan back adjusted for you, with a price.