A fixed-departure eight-day group tour along Japan’s Golden Route in the autumn colours: Tokyo, the Fuji Five Lakes, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, with private coach transport, the Shinkansen and English-speaking assistance.
The route3 cities.
Loading map…
8 days, 7 nightsDuration
3 citiesWhere you sleep
Seven nights of hotel accommodation with daily breakfastMeals
Twin share · land only, flights extra
Why this journey
The Golden Route is the line most first visits to Japan follow — Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka — and mid-November is when it looks its best. The maples turn late in central Japan, so the temple gardens of Kyoto and the hills around Hakone and Fuji are at their reddest just as the air turns cold and clear.
This is a set departure with a set price: eight days, seven nights with breakfast, private transport throughout and the Shinkansen between Tokyo and the west. Because it runs on fixed dates, the hotels and the train seats are already held; only five twin rooms are allocated to it.
The route gives Tokyo three nights, Kyoto two and Osaka two, with a full day out to the Fuji Five Lakes and a day in Nara among the deer and the great bronze Buddha at Todai-ji. English-speaking assistance travels with the group.
Trip highlights
01The Golden Route in the mid-November autumn colours
02Tokyo, the Fuji Five Lakes, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka in eight days
03Private transport throughout, with the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto
04Nara’s deer park and the Great Buddha at Todai-ji
05A fixed departure with rooms and train seats already held
Day-by-day itinerary
What's included
Included in your trip7 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
Seven nights of hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
Transport3
Private transportation throughout the tour
Shinkansen tickets between Tokyo and the west
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Services2
English-speaking assistance with the group
Fixed departure 15–22 November 2026, with five twin rooms held
Meals1
Seven breakfasts
Plan and pay separately6 items not covered by this fare
Not included6
International flights
Lunches and dinners unless named as included
Optional activities, personal expenses and shopping
Travel insurance
Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
Visa fees, where your nationality requires a visa
Your hotels
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
Meeting & drop-off
You're met atTokyo airport, arrivals hallReport by On arrival, timed to your inbound flight
You're dropped atOsaka or Kansai airportBy about Timed to your outbound flight
You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.
Airport transfers are included and matched to your flight times.
Attractions we visit
6 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route6 places
TokyoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Lake KawaguchiEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Mount FujiEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
KyotoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
NaraEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
OsakaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
When to Go
Japan
IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctIdeal
Cherry blossom (late Mar–Apr) and autumn foliage (Nov) are iconic. Avoid July–Aug heat and humidity.
Tokyo
Average High
22°C
Rainfall
197mm
Kyoto
Average High
22°C
Rainfall
110mm
Osaka
Average High
23°C
Rainfall
108mm
Hokkaido
Average High
14°C
Rainfall
112mm
Before you go
Group departure
The rate is based on eight adults sharing twin rooms; smaller parties are quoted at the higher rate band.
Autumn colour is a natural event and its timing varies by a week or two from year to year.
Travel documents and visa
Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay in Japan.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and are not included in this package; check them well before you book flights.
Getting around
Japanese stations and hotels have limited space for large suitcases; pack a small bag for nights away from your base city.
The operator provides English-speaking assistance; guiding in other languages can be requested and is quoted separately.
Common questions
When does this tour run?
It is a fixed departure from 15 to 22 November 2026. Other dates are quoted as a private tour instead.
Why November?
Central Japan turns late. Mid-November is usually the peak of the maples in Kyoto and around Mount Fuji, with clear, cold air and the best chance of seeing the mountain.
How many people travel?
The rate is based on eight adults sharing twin rooms, and five twin rooms are held for the departure. Smaller parties are quoted at the higher rate band.
Is the Shinkansen included?
Yes, the bullet-train tickets on the route are included, along with private transport for the sightseeing days.
Is there a guide?
English-speaking assistance travels with the group. Licensed guiding in other languages can be added on request.
How much walking is there?
The temple and park days involve several hours on foot, often on steps and gravel. The drives between cities are broken by stops.
Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
✦AI trip designer
Want this trip a little different?
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.