2018 Japan Fall Tour Highlights

We are back from our 2018 Japan Fall Tours. We had a wonderful time hanging out with our guests and sharing what we love about Japan. The weather was great and the autumn leaves were beautiful! Here are some photos of the people and places from our Fall Tours. Enjoy!

Nikko

Toshogu Shrine

We took a day-trip to Nikko and saw the elaborately decorated tomb of Tokugawa at Toshogu Shrine. This World Heritage Site is covered in beautiful wood carvings and gold leaf.

Nagano

Zenkou- ji

Every morning at dawn a beautiful ceremony is held at Zenkou Temple in Nagano City. You can even get blessed by the head monk as he makes his way to the temple. This is a photo of two monks leaving the temple after the morning ceremony.

Matsumoto

Matsumoto Castle is one of only five original castles remaining in Japan and is designated a National Treasure.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is famous for its restored Geisha entertainment district of Higashi Chaya, the Nagamachi Samurai district, and the Kenrokuen Garden, one of three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan.

Takayama

Autumn Festival

Takayama holds what’s said to be one of the most beautiful fall festivals in Japan, where centuries old floats parade the old-fashioned streets of this mountain town.

Kiso Valley

Tsumago, a Preserved Mountain Village

Tsumago is one of the preserved mountain villages in the Kiso Valley that is connected to Magome by the Nakasendo trail. Visiting these villages is like stepping back in time.

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Peace Memorial Park

Because there are fewer travelers in the Fall, it was much easier to get this perfect picture of the Peace Memorial Reflection pond, the Eternal Peace Flame and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Floating Torii Gate

This is a shot of the iconic floating red Torii Gate from the far left side of the Itsukushima Shrine. After visiting the Shrine we stopped at a quiet cafe and relaxed with a hot cup of coffee.

Nara

Todai-Ji

Todai-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure and houses the largest bronze Buddha in the world!

Nara Deer

Nara Park, Todai-ji and Kasuga Shrine are surrounded by 1,000+ deer. According to Shinto legend, deer are believed to be messengers from the gods. So these sacred deer are free to roam the park as they please.

Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

The Golden Temple (Kinkakuji) on a beautiful autumn morning.

Fushimi Inari

The paths at Fushimi Inari Taisha lead up a small mountain and are lined with thousands of red Torii Gates. You can always manage to get an amazing picture or two during the hike.

Evening Stroll

We took a beautiful evening stroll through the Gion area and saw a couple of cranes fishing in a small river.

Fuji

Fuji View Ryokan

This was the view from the roof top observatory of our Fuji Ryokan. I’m always impressed, no matter how many times I see it!

Himeji

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is a World Heritage Site and a National Treasure of Japan. This well-preserved original structure is over 400 years old and made up of 83 buildings. Because of its white appearance, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Japan.