We’re excited to share the highlights of our unforgettable 2023 Japan autumn tours. We had a great time with our guests, exploring Japan’s rich cultural heritage. The weather was perfect, and the fall foliage was beautiful. Take a look at these snapshots capturing the essence of our small group tours.

2023 Japan Autumn Tours

We travel with all of our guests, offering assistance whenever needed. As Americans who know Japan, understand its culture, and speak the language, we make sure that every detail is taken care of, from selecting top-notch hotels to finding the best routes and discovering hidden gems. Click here to see our small group Japan tours.

Tokyo

Tsukiji

All of our 2023 Japan autumn tours started in Tokyo, with a visit to the Tsukiji outer fish market. It’s been a bustling hub of food vendors, shops, and restaurants since the early 20th century. The outer market offers an array of seafood, produce, and Japanese delicacies in a vibrant atmosphere.

Asakusa

Next, we headed over to Senso-ji in Asakusa. Founded in the 7th century, it is believed to be Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Then we ended the evening with a fun, hands-on Japanese cooking class.

Kamakura

On our 15-day tours, we visited Kamakura and Nikko. Kamakura is home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a giant bronze statue located at Kotoku-in Temple.

Nikko

Nikko is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most famous being Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Fuji

With our Highlights and Discover tours, we went to one of the Fuji Five Lakes to see Mt. Fuji, providing breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences for our tour participants.

Hakone

We were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather the day we visited the Hakone Open-Air Museum with our October 15-day tour participants. This outdoor art museum was founded in 1969 and has a large collection of pieces by renowned artists such as Henry Moore and Pablo Picasso.

Nagoya

Another favorite with our guests is Nagoya. The fourth-largest city in Japan, Nagoya tends to fly under the radar of most tourists. The city was originally established as a castle town in 1612, just before the beginning of the Edo period.

The Nagoya of today is modern and sophisticated. It’s a big hit with visitors because of its easy access, amazing shopping, and great dinning. It offers the big-city feel, with a small-town crowd.

Inuyama Castle

We also visited Inuyama Castle on our September 8-day and October 10-day tours. Inuyama Castle is one of the country’s oldest surviving castles, dating back to the 15th century.

Takayama

We explored the mountain village of Takayama with our September 8-day Intro to Japan Tour and October 10-day Highlights of Japan Tour. We visited an Edo-era house, tasted sake at a 300-year-old brewery, and ate some famous Hida Wagyu beef on sticks.

Nagano

Kanazawa

Nagano and Kanazawa left a lasting impression on our November 15-day Discover Japan Tour guests. Kanazawa is known for its rich cultural heritage, gold leaf craftsmanship, and traditional arts. While there, we visited Kenrokuen Garden, believed to be one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens.

Zenkoji Temple

Nagano is well known for its 7th century temple, Zenkoji. It’s one of Japan’s most important and revered Buddhist temples. Every day, the monks perform a morning ceremony at sunrise with the chanting of sutras and prayers for health, happiness, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.

Matsumoto Castle

We visited Matsumoto Castle on our September 10-day tour and our November 15-day tour. Built in the 16th century, this castle is known for its black exterior and unique architectural design.

Kyoto

Kyoto is always a stop on our Japan autumn tours. We visited Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizu temple. This ancient capital city consistently ranks high with all of our guests.

Private Geisha Dinner

While in Kyoto, we enjoyed a private Kaiseki dinner experience with a Geisha. We enjoyed speaking one-on-one with a Maiko, watched her graceful performances, and played traditional games. The evening gave our guests an authentic glimpse into Kyoto’s cultural traditions and hospitality.

Himeji Castle

Our October 15-day Discover Japan Tour explored the iconic feudal-era Himeji Castle. It’s renowned for its bright white exterior, its intricate defensive structures, and beautiful strolling garden.

Hiroshima

We made our way down to Hiroshima with our 15-day Discover tours. While there, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.

Join One of Our Japan Autumn Tours

It’s always fun showing our tour guests the very best of Japan. If you’d like to experience Japan the way the locals do, we invite you to join one of our exclusive Japan small group tours. Do more than just see Japan, be a part of it with a Japan and more tour.