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"Our anniversary trip was honestly unforgettable. We stayed in beautiful hotels in Shinjuku, took a private sushi-making class, and had the most romantic rooftop dinners. Everything felt so thoughtfully planned and really tailored to us." -Danie and Patrick, previous clients
Gorgeous scenes of bright autumn leaves, cozy stays, and delicious new meals are waiting for you to enjoy in Japan, and a trip to Tokyo may be the perfect chance to savor it all. Each neighborhood has its own unforgettable dishes, temples, and hotels, giving you a look into the culture and history of the city. Ready to decide if Tokyo is your next fall vacation spot?
Kyoto:
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Known for its deep spiritual history, Kyoto is home to many temples and ancient buildings. But to truly see the city in its fullest splendor, visiting in fall is essential. Maple and cedar tree leaves surrounding the temples turn fiery bright colors as temperatures cool, creating a picturesque scene for visitors in the later months.
Your stay in Kyoto isn’t complete without visiting a temple, so let me help you decide which ones you need to include on your trip list.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is an iconic Kyoto landmark and a must-see stop on your trip to Japan this fall. Its panoramic city views and wooden stage are only part of what makes the temple so striking. In fall, the maple leaves turn a dark red as the season changes, and in the evenings, the trees are illuminated for visitors to enjoy. This temple is great if you are looking for wide views that give you a chance to see far over the city.
The Eikan-do Temple is another well-known sightseeing spot in the fall. Like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Eikan-do Temple hosts an evening light-up event in the fall, but Hojo Lake and the two-story Tahoto Pagoda create a uniquely serene environment for visitors. This area is great for photography, and with the light up event at night, you can capture beautiful scenes no matter what kind of photography you are interested in.
Finally, Tofuku-ji Temple maintains four gardens that look amazing in autumn; each garden has its own design and unique foliage to enjoy. If you’re looking to unwind, Tofuku-ji Temple holds Zen meditation sessions, though Travel Japan recommends having a Japanese speaker available to help you join one. Some sessions are free for travelers and the community, but there are paid packages that include temple tours and tea ceremonies along with the meditation session.
Keep in mind that these temples may be popular with both locals and tourists, so you may not be the only one visiting these sites during autumn. You should also verify that these temples are holding evening illumination events beforehand if that is something you are interested in seeing on your next trip.
For your stay in Kyoto, I recommend the GOZAN HOTEL in Higashiyama Sanjo. This hotel situates you right between all three temples I mentioned. It is very close to Sanjo Keihan Station and is within walking distance to nearby shrines and temples. The accommodations are very comfortable and are designed in the machiya, or wooden house, style. They are perfect for visitors who enjoy traditional Japanese styles with a luxurious modern feel. Overall, the GOZAN HOTEL is great for travelers who want to feel like a local, using the transport system and staying in a modern, but traditional style of accomodation.
As for food, Kyoto’s specialty dish is nishin soba served with herring. Soba is savory a buckwheat noodle dish, and adding the herring became tradition thanks to Japan’s strong seafood market. According to Kyodo-Ryouri’s discussion of the dish, herring was a common catch in Edo-period Japan, and when it was transported to the mainland, it was dried. In modern-day Kyoto, dried herring is simmered in soy sauce before being added to nishin soba. Nishin Soba Matsuba is the best place to get nishin soba, as it is the shop where the dish was first created.
Don’t feel left out by photos of Kyoto’s gorgeous fall leaves on your computer. Go experience a real-life wallpaper this fall at one of Kyoto’s temples, enjoy a comfy stay at a machiya hotel, and try nishin soba, with or without the herring. Let me help you find a cozy hotel and scenic lookoutsT for you to enjoy the autumn ambiance in Kyoto.
Hokkaido:
While Hokkaido is a popular winter destination for its perfect snow and winter sports, the region has a lot to offer in the fall. Compared to Kyoto, Hokkaido is better well known for outdoor recreation that appeals to travelers looking for high energy activities on the mountains. There is a wealth of gorgeous outdoor sites: National Parks, natural hot springs, and volcanic lakes with breathtaking views and opportunities for much-needed relaxation. You deserve a break, and a trip to Japan could be the rejuvenating getaway your mind needs.
Noboribetsu’s Jigokudani is my first recommendation for your autumn visit to Hokkaido. Jigokudani, also called Hell Valley, surrounds a volcanic crater and features sulfurous streams, heat vents, and occasional volcanic activity. Jigokudani's heat fuels the geothermal hot springs in Noboribetsu, and many luxury hotels with hot spring baths in the area take advantage of this remarkable natural resource. Hell Valley is also an excellent place for exploring the outdoors, with designated trails that explore the area around the volcanic crater. When paired with Japan’s cool autumn air, Noboribetsu’s hot springs are perfect for enjoying incredible volcanic scenery and feeling refreshed in the valley’s heated waters.
Want to explore more while you’re in Japan, but still want to experience traditional Japanese wellness treatments? Jozankei is the perfect place for you to visit this autumn. The city is famous for its onsens and free public foot baths, making it an ideal destination for anyone looking for a refreshing retreat. Jozankei is also home to the Futami-tsuribashi Suspension Bridge and the Futami-Jozan Road. Both landmarks offer amazing views of the mountains and maple trees changing colors in the fall. If you’re up for a walk in Jozankei, visiting one of these sightseeing spots will make your trip absolutely unforgettable.
Traveling around such beautiful scenery is sure to make you hungry, and my final destination in Hokkaido is ready to appease your appetite. Sapporo is one of the best places to visit for a complete fall experience: explore gorgeous autumn landscapes, celebrate the season with locals, and try freshly harvested food. The Sapporo Autumn Fest is a huge culinary event where hundreds of vendors sell meals and snacks made with seasonal ingredients, according to the Welcome to Sapporo site. This is a great opportunity to enjoy unique recipes from different localities, learn about different municipalities, and explore a whole new cuisine. The Sapporo Autumn Fest last for around a month, usually beginning in September. For future travel plans, check ahead with the Sapporo Tourist Association to see what dates it will occur on!
Speaking of food, Hokkaido is most well-known for its seafood dishes, and specifically assorted seafood bowls. Kaisendon is a rice bowl topped with various freshly caught pieces of fish and other seafood. Some common toppings include sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, tuna, and scallops. For an authentic Hokkaido seafood bowl, Sapporo’s Nijo Market is famous for its luxurious salmon and roe bowls. Depending on when you plan your visit, you may be able to enjoy snow crab if your visit falls around November-time when the harvesting season begins to peak.
Does Hokkaido sound like the right place for you to visit? Let your hotel keep the autumn ambiance going with a cozy design and luxurious accommodations that refresh you like the relaxing environment outside. The Chalet Ivy Jozankei sits prominently in Hokkaido, making it easily accessible to Noboribetsu, Jozankei, and Sapporo. This hotel is known for its ryokan (inn) style and onsen baths, bringing refreshing geothermally heated waters into each private room. I can plan your stay at inns like the Chalet Ivy Jozankei so you can spend your time soaking in the mineral-rich waters of Hokkaido this autumn.
Tokyo Trip I Planned:
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While these cities are amazing to visit in the fall, Tokyo can be enjoyed throughout the year. Japan has so many different environments and activities to enjoy, so tailoring a trip to the season, travel dates, and client interests is essential for creating the perfect trip. To show you how I personalize my client itineraries, here is an example of my planning process for one of my Tokyo itineraries.
Take my parents, Danie and Patrick, for example. They wanted to create an unforgettable 25th wedding anniversary escape in June, the start of Japan’s rainy season. I wasn’t going to let the rain spoil their celebration! To ensure they could explore Japan and learn its culture, I created an itinerary that accounted for the weather and included plenty of luxurious indoor experiences.
How we planned it:
My goal for Danie and Patrick’s trip was to make them feel like they were discovering Japan, rather than just touring it. They wanted a trip that let them be adventurous and experience modern luxury, making this romantic milestone unforgettable. Because I was designing this itinerary for my parents, I wanted to be certain it had plenty of amazing experiences for them to enjoy together. We decided on Shinjuku, Tokyo, as their destination because of the lower tourist levels, beautiful natural scenery like mountains and blooming hydrangeas, and vibrant nightlife to enjoy together.
What we planned:
The trip was fully designed to feel like a modern luxury adventure. Their boutique hotel in Shinjuku kept them close to all the activities and visits I planned, so they could spend time walking around the city together. I planned their rooftop dinners with the weather in mind. They dined in covered seating areas so they could enjoy the scenery without worrying about the rain. I also planned a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, like a private sushi-making class, evening walks in Omoide Yokocho's izakaya alleys, and a quiet afternoon in a traditional Japanese garden. These events each let them explore a new part of Tokyo and Japanese culture, from the food to the foliage.
What was the result:
My parents absolutely loved this trip! In their own words: “Everything felt so thoughtfully planned and really tailored to us. Daneev just got what we were looking for, that mix of modern elegance with a bit of adventure. We'll be talking about this trip for a long time."
This trip meant alot to me to plan, and I am so happy that my parents enjoyed their visit to Japan. No matter the weather, it is my goal to create unforgettable experiences for my clients that leave them excited for the next adventure. Japan has so much to offer, and if you’ve been inspired to plan your own trip with your partner, I would love to help make your next celebration absolutely amazing.
My Final Thoughts:
Tokyo’s neighborhoods offer so much to travelers, and planning your next trip there can be easy. With autumn in full swing, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Shinjuku are all full of natural beauty you need to experience in person. Photos can’t capture the breathtaking atmosphere of a Japanese temple illuminated by fiery red maple leaves or a geothermally heated onsen in a luxurious traditional inn.
Don’t let Japan be just another picture on your dream travel board. Let yourself be amazed this autumn, and leave the planning to me. Visit my Luxury Travel Planning Services to find the best trip style for you and your loved ones. When you’re ready, let’s start discussing your ideas through my Client Inquiry Form.
I can’t wait to start planning your next adventure. Thank you for reading!