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NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAN FOR JAPAN IN FALL

Sakura season may outshine it in fame, but fall is the season most cherished by many Japan aficionados. Temple gardens turn copper and crimson, mountain air cools, and evenings drift toward hot springs, long dinners, and walks through traditional neighborhoods. In Kyoto, the season settles over shrines and merchant lanes; in Nikko, cedar forests and waterfalls frame UNESCO-listed sanctuaries; farther north in Tohoku, lakes, gorges, and ryokan towns reveal a quieter side of the country altogether. It is also one of Japan’s most in-demand travel periods. With fall 2026 availability already tightening across leading hotels, ryokans, guides, luxury vehicles and seasonal routes, now is the time to begin planning.

KYOTO: AUTUMN IN THE ANCIENT CAPITAL

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Kyoto comes into its own in the fall. Maple leaves gather in temple gardens, lanterns flicker through Gion, and cool evenings invite slow walks through Higashiyama's charming preserved wooden streets. Days move between Nishiki Market, Kiyomizudera, Ryoanji, and Kinkakuji before continuing west to Arashiyama, where the bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryuji Temple take on a softer autumn mood. Hotels such as Aman Kyoto, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, and Capella Kyoto make particularly strong seasonal bases.

Featured itinerary: Classic Japan

NIKKO: SHRINES, WATERFALLS, AND MOUNTAIN COLOR

Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls

Just a few hours up in the mountains north of Tokyo, Nikko feels far removed from the capital’s bustling pace. Autumn arrives early here, washing the surrounding national park and cedar forests in deep shades of red and gold. Toshogu Shrine remains the cultural centerpiece, while the winding Irohazaka Slope, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls make the region one of Japan’s most rewarding fall escapes.

Evenings in Kinugawa Onsen bring another side of the experience altogether: private open-air baths, traditional ryokans, and cool mountain air. Stay in the The Ritz-Carlton Nikko or the FUFU Nikko, both excellent boutique options.

Featured itinerary: Tokyo & Nikko: An Autumn Getaway

TOHOKU: THE COLORS OF NORTHERN JAPAN

Lake Towada

For travelers looking beyond the classic route, Tohoku delivers some of Japan’s finest autumn landscapes. Matsushima Bay unfolds through pine-covered islands and temple-dotted inlets, while Naruko Gorge becomes saturated in fiery seasonal color. Elsewhere lie seafood markets in Shiogama, the samurai district of Kakunodate, and the cool forested landscapes surrounding Lake Towada and Mt. Hakkoda.

Traditional ryokans and onsen towns add a slower rhythm to the journey, making Tohoku feel worlds away from Japan’s more heavily traveled routes. Stay at Azuma Farm Koiwai for a deeper, more intimate connection to nature, with access to forests, mountains, hiking trails, and hot springs.

Featured itinerary: Colors of Autumn in Tohoku

KYUSHU: VOLCANOES, ONSEN, AND SOUTHERN CULTURE

Mount Aso

Kyushu offers a different perspective on Japan in the fall. Here, the emphasis shifts from foliage to volcanic landscapes, regional cuisine, pottery towns, and hot spring culture. The route moves from Fukuoka's ramen counters and street stalls through the ceramic centers of Arita and Imari to Nagasaki, whose layered Japanese, Chinese, and European influences give the city a character all its own.

Farther inland, Mount Aso and the hot spring towns of Yufuin and Kurokawa bring mountain scenery, ryokan stays, and restorative onsen experiences into the journey. Among our favorite places to stay in Kyushu are The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, a modern base overlooking Hakata Bay, and the ultra-traditional Wasurenosato Gajoen, famous for its private hot springs.
 
Featured itinerary: Exploring Japanese Culture, Kyushu-style

KANAZAWA: GARDENS, GOLD LEAF, AND LIVING CRAFT

Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa remains one of Japan’s great cultural cities, where preserved samurai districts, teahouses, and artisan workshops sit alongside contemporary museums and galleries. Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three most important and stunning gardens, is especially beautiful in autumn, while elsewhere the city’s traditions of gold leaf, silk dyeing, lacquerware, and sake brewing continue much as they have for generations. Our favorite ryokans in the area include the 10-suite Kayotei and Beniya Mukayu, a minimalist architectural retreat perched on a forested hillside in the Yamashiro Onsen district with private onsens.

Kanazawa also forms part of Remote Lands’ KOGEI: A Journey Through Japan’s Living National Treasures, an 11-day small-group journey offering rare access to the National Living Treasures — master artists recognized by the Japanese government for safeguarding important cultural traditions.
 
Featured journey: KOGEI: A Journey Through Japan’s Living National Treasures

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