Autumn Tours of Japan 2019 & 2020
The coloured autumn leaves contrast especially well with Japan’s majestic castles and temples. These 2019 and 2020 Autumn Tours of Japan follow the fall as it starts in the north of Japan and moves south. This means each trip creates its own unique memories of the beautiful colours that dance on the wind in autumn.
Click for help in selecting your autumn tour.
Strolling through some of Japan’s iconic sites under gorgeous coloured autumn leaves is like a dream. This tour is paced to give you the time to absorb the dream. Suited for people who like to travel at a slower pace, less single night stops, more private transport and western style accommodation.
| 3 Nov 2019 | Fully Booked |
| 10 Nov 2019 | Last Solo Place |
2019 Walking Central Japan in Autumn is a small group tour of only 8 people which takes you to the Nakasendo Way to experience the historical walking trail. The tour also visits Takayama for its traditional culture and crafts, and the ancient capital Kyoto ablaze with autumn colours against sublime gardens and temples.
| 14 Nov 2019 | Last Double Place |
2020 Walking Tour of Japan Alps in Autumn takes you to Japan’s pristine national parks with the Japan Alps high above you. In addition to the short nature walks (8-10k) on the plateaus and valleys in vibrant autumn colours, you will visit iconic cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.
| 1 Oct 2020 | Available |
This tour features Japan’s dramatic natural landscapes from the highest mountains to the deepest gorge. Full of cultural experiences including a night stay at a century-old thatched roofed farmhouse. Along with the remoteness, you will also explore the sophisticated cultural cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa.
| 4 Oct 2020 | Available |
| 25 Oct 2020 | Available |
This tour covers culturally intriguing and naturally magnificent day walks (8-10 km/day) including the pilgrimage walks of sacred Dewa Sanzan in the northern parts of the main island of Japan in early autumn. Seriously off-the-beaten track, this tour exposes you to the warm traditional hospitality and immersive experiences of northern Japan.
| 7 Oct 2020 | Available |
Taste-test the freshest and most sophisticated meals while experiencing Japan’s centuries-old food traditions on the journey through central Japan including Tokyo, Kanazawa, Noto Peninsula, Kyoto and Osaka.
| 12 Oct 2020 | Available |
This tour takes you beyond the main tourist trails to explore Japan’s rugged northern region of Tohoku with its distinctive rural traditions, intense autumn colours and stunning natural landscapes. Less visited by international tourists, this region offers an authentic culture and pace that is most enjoyable.
| 20 Oct 2020 | Available |
| 27 Oct 2020 | Available |
Most comprehensive tour of Japan in autumn covering all the must-see destinations including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nikko, Mt Fuji, Takayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima. Packed with cultural activities, this tour is ideal for people who would like to make the most of their time in Japan.
| 26 Oct 2020 | Available |
| 9 Nov 2020 | Available |
Strolling through some of Japan’s iconic sites under gorgeous coloured autumn leaves is like a dream. This tour is paced to give you the time to savour the dream. Created specifically for people who like to travel at a slower pace with less single night stops, more private transport and western style accommodation.
| 1 Nov 2020 | Available |
| 8 Nov 2020 | Available |
A gastronomic adventure amidst amazing autumn scenery, exploring Japan’s fantastic food traditions and culture on the friendly island of Kyushu. Enjoy exclusive experiences at small artisanal food producers not on the tourist map.
| 3 Nov 2020 | Available |
| 10 Nov 2020 | Available |
Walk through the well-preserved villages and cedar covered forests on Nakasendo Way where samurai walked hundreds of years ago. The tour also includes back street walks in Japan’s major destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama still at the peak of autumn colours. The well balanced tour between nature walks and cultural encounters, it is ideal for active people who are looking for variety of experiences.
| 15 Nov 2020 | Available |
This tour is specifically designed to combine Japan’s must-see sights in late-November to early-December when autumn foliage intensifies in the iconic cities of Hiroshima/Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and Tokyo along the relatively warmer east coast of Japan. It offers travelers an easy paced itinerary, superior comfort of 4+ star western style accommodation and mix of private and public transport.
| 22 Nov 2020 | Available |
This tour takes you beyond the main tourist trails to explore Japan’s rugged northern region of Tohoku with its distinctive rural traditions, intense Autumn colours and stunning natural landscapes.
| 22 Oct 2019 | Fully Booked |
Most comprehensive tour of Japan in autumn covering all the must-see destinations including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nikko, Mt Fuji, Takayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima. Packed with cultural activities, this tour is ideal for people who like to see and do a lot travelling at a reasonable pace.
| 28 Oct 2019 | Fully Booked |
| 4 Nov 2019 | Fully Booked |
| 12 Nov 2019 | Fully Booked |
This tour features Japan’s dramatic natural landscapes from the highest mountains to the deepest gorge. Full of cultural experiences including a night stay at a century-old thatched roofed farmhouse. Along with the remoteness, you will also explore the sophisticated cultural cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa.
| 29 Oct 2019 | Fully Booked |
This tour is specifically designed to combine Japan’s must-see sights in late-November to early-December when autumn foliage intensifies in the iconic cities of Hiroshima/Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and Tokyo along the relatively warmer east coast of Japan. It offers travelers an easy paced itinerary, superior comfort of 4+ star western style accommodation and mix of private and public transport.
| 19 Nov 2019 | Fully Booked |
Had a fabulous time with a great group of people. I loved the country, the culture, the people and everything about the tour – hope to do another tour with JTTE – maybe Hokkaido or Kyushu next time
Vivien Hewitt, Western Australia
This was my first trip with JTTE and already I am looking at the program for next year thinking about another one. I liked the fact that it was a small group, the organisation was spot on and the food everywhere was outstanding.
Dee Mason – NSW Australia
Selecting from Autumn Tours of Japan
Choosing the right time to see the best autumn colours is mostly about where you go to in Japan. Almost everywhere in Japan, at the right time of autumn, is spectacular. A good time to tour Japan is from mid-October to see northern and higher altitude parts to the west of Japan. The less crowded and most pristine areas see the autumn colours first. In the north, by early November, most of the colour has fallen to the ground.
Conveniently, however, the coloured leaves start to appear in volume in the central areas of Japan in early November. So, November is the time to tour central Japan. Tours of the east coast of Japan towards the end of November are very rewarding. There are strong displays up to early-December.
Further south, in places like Kyushu where it is warmer, very big displays are on show until well into December.
Journey to the East provides a range of Autumn Tours of Japan. The tours straddle the autumn coloured leaves season. Each tour takes advantage of the area in colour to see many of the unique sites there.
Autumn News
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Our Travel Style
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic, small group tours to Japan – whether standard tours or custom-built for private groups. Our travel style is to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
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