Japan in Autumn: 8-Day Itinerary for the Autumn Leaves

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Koyo, the autumn leaves season, turns Japan's temples red and gold. The leaves move from north to south and from mountains to cities: Hakone peaks in early to mid-November, Kyoto and Tokyo from mid-November to early December.

Autumn leaves at Tofuku-ji, Kyoto
  • Length8 days, 7 nights
  • RouteTokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Arashiyama → Nara
  • Best forPhotographers and garden lovers
  • When to goMid-November to early December
  • Rail passSingle tickets: Hakone is on a private line.

Make it yours: open this route in the trip planner, add your dates and get travel times, seasonal alerts and links to flights and hotels.

Open in the trip planner →

The route at a glance

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo: Arrival in Tokyo
  2. Day 2 · Tokyo: Tokyo's golden ginkgo
  3. Day 3 · Hakone: Hakone
  4. Day 4 · Kyoto: To Kyoto
  5. Day 5 · Kyoto: Kyoto's maple temples
  6. Day 6 · Arashiyama: Arashiyama
  7. Day 7 · Nara: Nara
  8. Day 8 · Kyoto: Departure

Day 1 · Tokyo

Arrival in Tokyo

Arrive and have a relaxed evening; illuminated gardens like Rikugien open at night in autumn.

Rikugien garden
  • Rikugien night illumination

Day 2 · Tokyo

Tokyo's golden ginkgo

The ginkgo avenue of Meiji Jingu Gaien, the gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen and Koishikawa Korakuen.

Ginkgo avenue, Meiji Jingu Gaien
  • Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue
  • Shinjuku Gyoen
  • Koishikawa Korakuen

Day 3 · Hakone

Hakone

Romancecar to Hakone, the Hakone Tozan railway and the ropeway; Lake Ashi framed by red maples.

Hakone in autumn
  • Hakone Tozan Railway
  • Owakudani
  • Lake Ashi

Day 4 · Kyoto

To Kyoto

Shinkansen from Odawara (about 2 hours). In the evening, see the night illumination at Kiyomizu-dera or Kodai-ji.

Kiyomizu-dera in autumn
  • Kiyomizu-dera night illumination
  • Kodai-ji

Day 5 · Kyoto

Kyoto's maple temples

Tofuku-ji's Tsutenkyo bridge early in the morning, then Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji.

Eikan-do, Kyoto
  • Tofuku-ji
  • Eikan-do
  • Nanzen-ji

Tip: Tofuku-ji is one of Kyoto's busiest spots in November: be there at opening time.

Day 6 · Arashiyama

Arashiyama

The maples of Tenryu-ji and Jojakko-ji, the Togetsukyo bridge and a boat on the Hozu River.

Arashiyama in autumn
  • Tenryu-ji
  • Jojakko-ji
  • Togetsukyo

Day 7 · Nara

Nara

Nara Park's maples and deer, Todai-ji and the Yoshikien garden.

Nara Park in autumn
  • Nara Park
  • Todai-ji
  • Yoshikien

Day 8 · Kyoto

Departure

A last temple in the morning, then Haruka to Kansai Airport.

Kyoto

Getting around

Romancecar to Hakone, Shinkansen to Kyoto, local trains to Arashiyama and Nara; fly out of Osaka Kansai.

When to go

Mid-November to early December. Add your dates in the trip planner to see cherry blossom and autumn leaf timing, the rainy season, typhoons and holidays for this route.

Where to stay

  • Tokyo (2 nights): Shinjuku or Ueno.
  • Hakone (1 night): a ryokan.
  • Kyoto (4 nights): near Kyoto Station.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Kyoto?

Usually from mid-November to early December; forecasts are published from September.

Are hotels more expensive in November?

Yes, Kyoto is very busy: book early.

Where else are the leaves beautiful?

Nikko (October), the Japanese Alps (October) and Hokkaido (late September–October).

Prefecture guides for this trip

Want a different pace or more stops? The planner rebuilds the itinerary around your dates and choices.

Customise this itinerary →

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Travel times are approximate; check timetables and opening days before you go. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.

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