An autumn holiday in Japan reveals the country at its most beautiful, as maple and ginkgo trees turn temples, gardens and mountains crimson and gold. This 14-day autumn journey includes Return direct flights, rail travel and guided tours of Kyoto, Nara Park and the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go. Charter Travel are leading holiday specialists, established in 1988. ABTA and ATOL Protected.
Duration: 12 nights
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Itinerary Highlights:
Included Activities
Autumn in Japan is one of the most amazing times to visit. Maple and ginkgo trees turn crimson and gold, the air is crisp and clear, and the temples, gardens and mountain villages are at their most photogenic. This 14-day Japan holiday in autumn follows the fall colours from the mountains of Nagano to the temples of Kyoto. It includes a guided day tour to Nara Park and a visit to the World Heritage Sites of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama in the Japanese Alps.
Alongside your flights, your travel between cities by Japan's rail network is also included. Every hotel is chosen for its central location, so you spend less time travelling and more time exploring.
Board your flight to Tokyo.
Arrive in Tokyo and check in to the Park Hotel Tokyo for two nights. The hotel is in Shiodome, with sweeping city views and a collection of rooms decorated by Japanese artists. Explore neighbourhoods such as Asakusa, Shibuya and Harajuku. Tokyo's own autumn colours arrive later in the season, with ginkgo avenues glowing gold in late November.
Travel by rail to Nagano and stay two nights at the Chisun Grand Nagano, close to the station. Nagano is surrounded by mountains, and its higher ground is among the first places in Japan to show autumn colour. Visit Zenko-ji, one of Japan's most important temples. You could also take an optional trip to see the famous snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park or walk the forested paths of Togakushi.
Continue by rail to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. You stay two nights at the Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo-Karasuma.
Included: Kyoto Must-See Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour. This guided tour takes in Kyoto's best-known sights and then continues to Nara. In Nara Park, hundreds of free-roaming deer wander among ancient temples, including Todai-ji, home to one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues. In autumn, the park's maples make it one of the most beautiful places in the region.
A short rail journey takes you to Osaka, Japan's food capital. You stay two nights at Hotel THE LEBEN OSAKA, a stylish base in the city centre. Spend your evenings in Dotonbori sampling takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and visit Osaka Castle, whose grounds are lined with autumn trees.
Travel by rail into the mountains to Takayama and stay two nights at the Residence Hotel Takayama Station. Takayama's old town is lined with preserved Edo-period merchant houses, sake breweries and morning markets. Don't miss a taste of Hida beef.
Included: Takayama World Heritage Sites Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Ainokura Sightseeing. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. Both are known for their gassho-zukuri farmhouses, whose steep thatched roofs are built to withstand heavy mountain snow. In autumn, the villages are framed by rice fields and hillsides of red and gold, making them some of the most memorable sights of any Japan holiday in autumn.
Return to Tokyo for two final nights at the Park Hotel Tokyo. Use this time for last-minute shopping, a visit to teamLab, or an autumn walk through gardens such as Rikugien or Shinjuku Gyoen.
Board your flight back to London.
All our holidays are tailor-made and can be adapted by changing hotels durations and destinations to suit the individuals tastes and requirements – please do get in touch so we can start planning.
Late October to late November is the best time for an autumn holiday in Japan. Mountain areas such as Nagano, Takayama and Shirakawa-go change colour first, from mid-October. Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo and Osaka usually peak from mid to late November.
Autumn in Japan is usually mild, dry and sunny, which makes it one of the most comfortable seasons for sightseeing. Days are pleasantly warm in the cities and cooler in the mountains, so pack layers and a warm jacket for Nagano and Takayama.
Some of the best autumn colours in Japan are found in Kyoto's temple gardens, in Nara Park and in the Japanese Alps around Nagano and Takayama. The World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are especially beautiful in autumn, surrounded by hillsides of red and gold.
This 14-day holiday includes return flights from London, 14 days in Japan, central hotels, and rail transfers between Tokyo, Nagano, Kyoto, Osaka and Takayama. It also includes guided tours of Kyoto and Nara Park, and of the World Heritage Sites of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Ainokura.
Yes. Autumn is an ideal season for a first visit to Japan, with comfortable weather and spectacular scenery. This itinerary combines major cities, ancient temples and traditional mountain villages, and the included guided tours make the key sights easy to explore.
