Japan: a road trip in the red maple season
- Length12 days
- Groupup to 10 people
- Formatgroup tour
- DifficultyHigh
Japan at the most beautiful moment of the year. In late November the mountains, temple gardens and lake shores turn scarlet, orange and gold — the Japanese call this season momiji and look forward to it as much as to the cherry blossom.
Most travellers see Japan through a bus or train window, on the same route and in the same crowd. We do it differently: in comfortable minivans, in a small group and at our own pace. Mountain roads through crimson forests, quiet temples with no queues, villages public transport doesn't reach, and viewpoints looking out at Mount Fuji.
Our own team members do the driving — you won't have to deal with driving on the left. We stay in hand-picked hotels and traditional houses, and after a day on the road there's an onsen. Eight days of road trip from Hakone to Kyoto and back to Tokyo, with a tour leader and a photographer along the whole way.
Difficulty
No mountain hiking, but we walk a lot: through cities, temples and gardens, often up and down stairs. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Accommodation
3–4* hotels and houses
Transport
Minivan
Day by day
Tap a day to see the details and highlight the spot on the map.
We meet in the morning in the lobby of our hotel in Ginza, get to know the group and set up the travel passes on our phones. We start with Tokyo's oldest temple: through the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street to Senso-ji, where we draw omikuji fortunes and get the first stamp in our goshuin book. After lunch in Asakusa we walk along Icho Namiki avenue, where in late November the ginkgo trees turn everything gold, and visit Meiji Shrine, hidden in a forest in the middle of the megacity. We watch the sunset from the Shibuya Sky observation deck, then head down to the famous Shibuya crossing and the Hachiko statue. In the evening, a welcome dinner at an izakaya.
What's included
- Accommodation along the whole route: 3–4* hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, a house in the Hakone mountains, a house for the whole group by Lake Kawaguchiko, a hotel in Takayama
- Rental of comfortable minivans with full insurance for 8 days
- Fuel, tolls and parking on the driving part of the route
- Drivers from the ShortTrips team: we do the driving on Japanese roads
- Tour leader along the whole route
- Luggage forwarding where needed
- Professional photos from the trip
- Help with the visa and flights
Not included
- Flights to Tokyo and back
- Visa
- Medical insurance
- Meals
- Metro and trains in Tokyo, Kamakura and Kyoto
- Ropeways, the boat and the mountain train in Hakone
- The Sagano train and the Hozugawa River boat ride
- Entrance tickets: temples, gardens, Matsumoto Castle, teamLab, Shibuya Sky
- Kimono rental and tea ceremony, maiko show
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Insurance for active trips
We work with ERGO and are insured with them ourselves: their travel policy covers active holidays, hiking in the mountains and trips to exotic countries. It takes a few minutes to arrange online.
Dates & prices
- 18 – 29 November 2026Almost full18-50 years
Price without discount: €3600€2300
FAQ
Why is the tour in November?
For momiji — the Japanese autumn. In late November the maples in Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura and around Mount Fuji turn red, and the country looks nothing like the spring postcards with cherry blossom. The dates are chosen for the peak of the colour: the season lasts only a few weeks.
Where do we stay?
In 3–4* hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, in our own house in the Hakone mountains, in a house for the whole group by Lake Kawaguchiko and in a hotel in Takayama. Rooms are for two, three or four people.
Who drives?
Drivers from the ShortTrips team — we do the driving on Japanese roads. You won't have to deal with driving on the left or with the interchanges. Comfortable minivans with full insurance, fuel, tolls and parking on the driving part of the route are already included in the price.
How do we get around in Tokyo and Kyoto?
In the cities we use the metro and trains, just like the Japanese do: it's the fastest way. Fares are paid separately; on the first day we set up the travel passes on your phones together. We take the cars for eight days — from Hakone until we return to Tokyo.
Do I need a visa?
You need a visa for Japan. The requirements depend on your citizenship and do change — write to us, we'll check your case and help you put the documents together. We also help with flights.
How demanding is the route?
There's no mountain hiking, but we'll walk a lot: through cities, temples and gardens, often up and down stairs — 398 steps lead up to the Chureito Pagoda. Some days start early so we get ahead of the crowds at Fushimi Inari and the Arashiyama bamboo grove. Comfortable shoes are a must.
What else do I pay for on the spot?
Meals, entrance tickets to temples, gardens, Matsumoto Castle, teamLab and Shibuya Sky, the ropeways and the boat in Hakone, the Sagano train and the Hozugawa River ride, kimono rental, the tea ceremony and the maiko show, plus the metro and trains in the cities. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Japan, but a small amount of cash yen comes in handy.
What insurance do I need?
Medical insurance for the whole duration of the trip. It is not included in the tour price. We work with ERGO and are insured with them ourselves: their policy covers active holidays, mountain hiking and trips to exotic countries. If you're not sure what to choose, write to us — we'll tell you what to look for in the terms.
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