Nine autumn tours of Japan for 2027, each capped at eight guests. Autumn sells out first, so enquire early.
Journey to the East runs small-group Japan autumn tours of no more than eight (10 for Hokkaido) guests, timed for peak colour, from Hokkaido in early October through to Kyoto in November. Every itinerary is planned by our own team in Japan and Australia, never subcontracted, and fully escorted by licensed local guides.
- Maximum eight guests (10 for Hokkaido) on every departure
- Licensed, English-speaking local guides throughout
- Accommodation, most meals, transport within Japan and entry fees included
- Dates set by region and altitude to catch peak colour in more than one place
- All travel arrangements are made by our teams in Japan and Australia, never subcontracted
Why see autumn in Japan with us
Most Japan autumn tours run from Tokyo to Kyoto with a stop at Mt Fuji. One of ours does too, but the other eight go where coach groups rarely do. Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, rural Tohoku, the pilgrimage paths of Shikoku and the food towns of Kyushu, with autumn colour as the backdrop rather than the whole point.
Eight guests change what a tour can do. A family-run ryokan with six rooms takes the whole group, and so does a potter’s studio in Bizen. We have run over 470+ tours in Japan across 13+ years, hosting 1,650+ travellers from Australia, the United States, New Zealand and beyond, rated 4.9 out of 5. We are ATIA members with ATAS and CATO accreditation.
When is the best time for a Japan autumn tour?
Autumn colour starts in Hokkaido in late September and moves south. Tohoku and the Japanese Alps peak through October. Tokyo and Kyoto turn between mid-November and early December, and Kyushu holds colour into December. Our 2027 departures run from 7 October to 24 November, each dated for the region it visits.
How booking a Japan autumn tour works
Choose your tour and travel style
You can choose from three travel styles, including Signature, Discovery or Comfort. Signature tours pack in the most culture, with guided days and free time. Discovery tours involve more walking. Comfort tours use 4 to 5-star hotels, Green Class Shinkansen, and private minivans at a slower pace.
Enquire or book online
Click Book Now beside the departure date on the tour page, send an enquiry through our contact page, or call our Australian office on +61 7 3368 1966.
Confirm with a deposit
A non-refundable deposit holds your place, and final payment is due 90 days before departure. Every traveller is assigned to a dedicated Client Support Officer who you’ll have available to contact until the tour completes.
We meet you in Japan
A Journey to the East guide meets you in arrivals at Narita, Haneda or the regional airport your tour starts from. From then until your final airport transfer, you are with us.
Our 2027 autumn tours of Japan
Tour Type
Signature
Our Signature tours offer the most comprehensive cultural exposure.
Discovery
Our Discovery tours provide up-and-close encounters with traditional life and natural landscapes into the more remote regions of Japan.
Comfort
With a focus on comfort and ease, our Comfort tours deliver an authentic experience with a few extra creature comforts to make for a more relaxed and supported trip.
Seasons
More about japan
What is included on our Japan autumn tours?
Inclusions vary slightly by tour and are listed on each tour page. As a rule:
- All accommodation, from traditional inns and Western hotels to, on some tours, temple lodgings
- All breakfasts and most other meals (e.g. the Autumn Colours Spectacular includes 5 lunches and 10 dinners)
- Licensed English-speaking guides for the whole tour
- Entry fees and cultural activities named in the itinerary
- Airport meet and greet, transfers, and luggage transfers between key stops (one piece per person)
Not included: international flights, travel insurance and personal spending. Everything is explained before you book.
How much do Japan autumn tours cost?
Prices are per person twin share, with a single supplement for solo travellers, under Dates and Prices on each tour page. Comfort tours cost more because of the 4 to 5-star hotels, Green Class rail and private vehicles.
Most activities and meals are already in the price, so there is little to add once you land. Tours are released 12 to 18 months ahead, and autumn fills first, so it’s best to enquire 9 to 12 months out to secure your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the autumn colours peak in Kyoto?
Kyoto usually peaks between mid and late November, with colour holding into early December at lower temples. Our Autumn Colours Spectacular, Garden and Art Spectacular and Autumn Leaves tours all reach Kyoto inside that window. Hokkaido peaks about six weeks earlier, which is why that tour leaves on 7 October.
What is the weather like, and what should I pack?
Mild days and cool mornings and evenings in Honshu during November, colder in Hokkaido and the Alps. Pack layers: T-shirts, long sleeves, a jumper and a jacket. Bring comfortable slip-on shoes, since temples and inns ask you to remove them at the door. Umbrellas are cheap in Japan.
How crowded is Japan in autumn, and how do you avoid the crowds?
Late October to late November is Japan’s busiest season. We visit headline sites early, before day-trippers arrive (Matsumoto Castle, Itsukushima Shrine, Fushimi Inari), choose quieter alternatives such as Gokayama over Shirakawa-go, and stay overnight in places like Miyajima so you have them once the crowds leave.
How many people are on each tour?
A minimum of two and a maximum of eight guests (4 – 10 for Hokkaido) on the 2027 autumn departure. Across our full range, small group tours are capped at 6 to 10 guests depending on the itinerary. That size fits a small ryokan, one minivan and the counter of a family-run restaurant, and it lets guides shape the day around the group rather than a coach schedule.
How fit do I need to be?
It depends on the tour. Signature tours involve several kilometres of easy walking most days, plus stairs at stations. Discovery tours add longer walks and some hiking. Comfort tours keep distances short and use private vehicles in cities, at a pace that suits travellers of any age. Most of our guests are aged 50 and over, and plenty travel with us in their 60s to 80s. Tell us your situation, and we will match you to the right one.
Do I need to fly from Australia to join?
No. Guests join us from Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, and everyone meets in Japan. We do not book international flights, so fly from Los Angeles, Auckland or Brisbane on dates that suit you, and we are happy to advise on connections and timing. A Journey to the East guide collects you at the airport.
Why travel with us
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic and most memorable experiences in Japan – for both Small Group Tours and custom-built Private Tours. Whether it is your first visit or you have been several times to Japan, you will always find something new and have special experiences with Journey to the East. Our travel style is chosen to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
We do this by taking you beyond the tourist hotspots to explore the lesser-known parts of Japan. Our tours are designed to strike the right balance between the classic highlights and local secrets, the urban and the rural, the historic and the contemporary, and in doing so, reveal the true heart of Japan.
With Journey to the East, you will have fun and be safe on your deeply rewarding journey through this endlessly fascinating country!
We are specialists that just handle tours within one country, Japan. Whether you are from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or beyond we meet you at the airport upon arrival into Japan and ensure a smooth and stress-free time in a foreign land.
Accommodation styles
Ryokans
Ryokans is a Japanese style accommodation, mostly consists of Japanese style rooms with tatami matt floor and futon bedding, and private ensuite. Some ryokans have a western style room with beds. A Japanese style room always has a low table and flat cushions to sit on, but the room may or may not have chairs. Most ryokans have an additional large public bath for guests and includes kaiseki style dinner. Breakfast can be Japanese style (rice, miso soup, fish etc.) or western style buffet.
Western Style Hotels
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Minshuku
A minshuku is a type of Japanese guesthouse, often family-run, that offers a more intimate and budget-friendly experience than a traditional ryokan. Accommodations often feature Japanese-style rooms, and bathrooms and toilets are often shared by guests. Staying in a minshuku offers a chance to connect with local families, learn about their way of life, and experience Japanese hospitality.
Shukubo (temple lodging)
The vast majority have Japanese style rooms and shared bathroom although there are limited number of temples with a western bedroom with ensuite. The stay at shukubo includes Buddhist vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Dinners are served early, around 5pm. They are run by monks, and facility and services are basic. Guests can attend morning service in the main hall.
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