INT18 – JAPAN “RED LEAF SEASON” 2024 (Nov 21- Nov 27)

Japan’s autumn foliage is a must-see destination. The poetic red hues, reminiscent of Japanese love, and the sight of maple leaves gracefully swaying in the breeze create enchanting landscapes that captivate hearts. Furthermore, you can marvel at the majestic beauty of Mount Fuji, adorned with pristine snow and a serene lake. Together, they paint a breathtaking picture of autumn scenery.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE RED COLORS OF AUTUMN

Itinerary: NRT – TOKYO – YAMANASHI – AICHI – KYOTO – OSAKA

Departure from: November 21 – November 27

Time: 7 days 6 nights

Group size: 5 members

Tour type: VIP tour

Price/pax: $1700/pax

Hotline: 0912 851 112/ 0987 277 394 Mr. Dung

1. HIGHLIGHT

Tokyo Skytree Tower: the tallest tower in Japan and the 2nd tallest in the world, and the tallest independent tower on land in the world currently.

Kawaguchiko Lake, Motosuko Lake

Shikizakura Park in autumn with red maple leaves.

Korankei – a beautiful place during the red leaf season. This is an ideal place to take photos of the Japanese autumn landscape with its peaceful river and rows of bright red maple leaves.

Bisamon-Temp

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: The straight, green bamboo forest makes anyone vibrate when visiting.

Sanzenin -Temp: Sanzenin is a temple belonging to the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism and was founded by the revered monk Saicho, who introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan in 804. Sanzenin is a monzeki temple, one of the few The temple is led by priests who were once members of the royal family.

Kifune Shrine: Kifune Shrine is famous for its extremely “photogenic” stone steps leading up to the temple along with two rows of red lanterns along both sides of the path. The Temple of the Water God, the source of all life and the main shrine of two thousand water god temples across Japan.

2. ITINERARY

DAY 1: NRT

  Arrive at Narita Airport (Chiba), then transfer to the hotel, check in, and rest.

  Evening: Explore Tokyo’s cuisine with a variety of Japanese specialties.

  Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: TOKYO

  9:00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, the group will travel to Tokyo, the cultural and commercial center of Japan. (Estimated travel time: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes)

  10:00 AM: Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, one of the most famous temples in Japan. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the unique and distinctive cultural features of the Edo period. The temple was built in 654 and enshrines a statue of Kannon Bosatsu.

  12:00 PM: Lunch and rest in Tokyo.

  Afternoon

• 1:30 PM: Travel to Tokyo Skytree (the tallest tower in Japan, the second tallest in the world, and the tallest freestanding tower in the world today).
• 3:00 PM: Return to the hotel to check in and rest.
• 4:30 PM: Visit Tokyo Station and take pictures with the ginkgo trees opposite the station.
• 6:00 PM: Travel to a restaurant near the hotel for dinner, then return to the hotel for rest.

  Evening: Free time to explore Tokyo at night.

  End of Day 2.

DAY 3: TOKYO- YAMANASHI

Morning:

5:30 AM: The group will travel to the Tokyo University campus for a photo shoot.

8:30 AM: The group will return to the hotel for breakfast, then check out and travel to Yamanashi, home to the famous Mount Fuji. (Estimated travel time: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes)

12:00 PM: Lunch in Kawaguchiko.

Afternoon:

1:30 PM: The group will travel to Lake Kawaguchiko for photos and creative activities. The tour guide will take you to popular spots around the lake for photo opportunities and check-ins. The group will spend the afternoon here.

6:00 PM: Dinner in Kawaguchi, then check in to the hotel and rest.

Evening: Free time to explore. If the weather is clear, the tour guide will lead the group for a night photography session near the lake.

End of Day 3.

DAY 4: YAMANASHI- AICHI

Morning:

5:00 AM: The group will travel to Lake Motosuko to capture the sunrise (the famous angle featured on the 1000 Yen Japanese bill).

7:00 AM: The group will move to a spot for a close-up shot of red maple leaves with Mount Fuji.

8:00 AM: The group will return to the hotel for breakfast, then check out.

9:30 AM: The group will depart for Aichi. (Estimated travel time: approximately 4 hours).

12:00 PM: Lunch during the journey.

Afternoon:

2:00 PM: The group will travel to Shikizakura Park and enjoy the autumn foliage, especially the red maple leaves.

Afterwards, the group will continue to Korankei – a stunning natural landscape during the autumn foliage season. This is an ideal location to capture the beauty of Japanese autumn with a gentle river and vibrant red maple trees.

6:00 PM: The group will have dinner in Nagoya and check into the hotel.

Evening: Free time to explore the city at night.

End of Day 4.

DAY 5: AICHI- KYOTO

Morning:

 

6:30 AM: The group will have breakfast at the hotel, then check out and travel to Nara Mizuya Chaya for photo shooting and check-in. (Estimated travel time: approximately 2 hours).

12:00 PM: The group will have lunch in Kyoto.

Afternoon:

1:00 PM: The group will travel to Ruriko-in Temple for photos and check-in at the ancient temple during the autumn season when the maple leaves turn red.

3:00 PM: The group will travel to Bisamon-Temp for photos and check-in at the temple during autumn.

6:00 PM: The group will travel to downtown Kyoto for dinner, then check in to the hotel and rest.

Evening: Free time to explore the city at night.

DAY 6: KYOTO

Morning:

 

5:30 AM: The group will travel to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for photos and check-in at the lush, straight bamboo forest that captivates everyone who visits.

7:30 AM: The group will return to the hotel for breakfast and rest, then travel to Ryoan-ji Temple to take photos of the ancient temple’s architecture during autumn. Ryoan-ji has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its traditional architecture of stone gardens and white sand patterns that depict the Zen world.

10:30 AM: The group will travel back to downtown Kyoto, taking about an hour, then have lunch and rest in Kyoto.

Afternoon:

1:00 PM: The group will travel to Sanzen-in Temple for photos and check-in. Sanzen-in is a temple belonging to the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism and was founded by the revered monk Saicho, who introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan in 804. Sanzen-in is a monzeki temple, one of the few temples whose chief priests have been members of the imperial family.

3:00 PM: The group will travel to Kifune Shrine for photos and check-in at the famous shrine located deep in the mountains of Kyoto. Kifune Shrine is known for its incredibly photogenic stone steps leading up to the shrine and the two rows of red lanterns on either side of the pathway. The shrine is dedicated to the Water God, the source of all life, and is the main shrine of two thousand water god shrines throughout Japan.

6:00 PM: The group will return to Kyoto for dinner and then to the hotel to rest.

End of Day 6.

DAY 7: OSAKA- BACK HOME

Morning:

 

5:00 AM: The group will check out of the hotel and then travel to Osaka Airport (breakfast will be served on the way).

6:30 AM: The group will check in luggage and go through immigration procedures for back home.

3. SERVICES

INCLUDED

– Private car

– Subway tickets

– Entrance fees to attractions

– 3-star hotel accommodation

– Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

NOT INCLUDED

– Airfare

– Visa fees

– Any additional expenses not mentioned in the program.

– Tokyo Skytree admission fee (4000Y)

Note: The itinerary may be subject to change due to bad weather or if the scenery is not as expected.

4. WHAT TO BRING

– Camera

– Wide-angle, telephoto, and fixed lenses for portrait photography

– Tripod and filters for landscape photography

– Memory cards and at least one spare memory card

– Batteries, chargers, and at least one spare battery

Important Notes before the trip:

– The weather is expected to be around 8-12 degrees Celsius and cooler in the late afternoon and early morning, so please bring warm clothes, wear layers, and a windbreaker for easy movement.

– Wear comfortable sneakers for easy movement.

– Bring a hat, cap, and scarf.