Autumn in Japan is a season that photographs feel almost designed for. Maple leaves turn deep red across temple courtyards, golden ginkgo trees line quiet streets and the contrast between neon-lit Tokyo and centuries-old shrines becomes even more striking under the soft autumn light. For Indian travellers planning a Japan tour, this is widely considered the best time to visit and Isha Tours has a complete 9-day Japan tour itinerary that moves through Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama and Osaka, covering the country’s most loved autumn spots in one well-paced trip.
Quick Overview
- Duration: 8 nights, 9 days
- Cities covered: Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama, Osaka
- Best time to travel: Mid-November, during peak autumn foliage
- Departure city: Mumbai
- Meals: Daily breakfast, with lunch and dinner mostly at Indian restaurants
This Japan autumn tour package is designed for travellers who want a mix of nature, heritage and modern city life, without the stress of planning logistics, trains or food on their own.
Day 1: Mumbai to Tokyo
The journey begins with a flight to Tokyo. After landing at Narita Airport and completing immigration formalities, travellers check into their hotel and have the evening free before dinner at an Indian restaurant. It is a gentle start, designed to help guests settle in after the long flight before the sightseeing begins.
Day 2: Tokyo to Nikko and Back
This is one of the most scenic days on the entire Japan autumn tour. The group travels to Nikko to visit the Toshogu Shinto shrine, part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive through Nikko’s forests during autumn is one of the highlights of the trip, with the trees turning brilliant shades of red and orange. On returning to Tokyo, there is a visit to Odaiba Park and its Statue of Liberty replica before dinner.
Day 3: Tokyo Sightseeing
A full day dedicated to Tokyo itself. The Tokyo Skytree offers panoramic views from its 45th-floor observation deck, followed by a visit to the historic Asakusa Sensoji Temple and the bustling Nakamise shopping street. In the evening, the group experiences TeamLab Planets, a digital art museum where visitors walk barefoot through water and immersive light installations. It is consistently one of the most talked-about parts of any Tokyo itinerary.
Day 4: Tokyo to Hakone to Nagoya
The day starts with a visit to Mt Fuji Heiwa Park in Gotemba city, home to a stupa containing Buddha’s ashes, presented by former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a detail that often surprises Indian travellers and adds a personal cultural connection to the trip. The group then heads to Hakone to see the Owakudani Boiling Valley, a volcanic landscape with active sulphur vents and takes the ropeway across Lake Ashi with views of Mt Fuji on clear days. The day ends with travel to Nagoya by train.
Day 5: Nagoya to Kyoto to Okayama
Kyoto is where the autumn foliage truly takes centre stage. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, with its towering green stalks and dappled light, is one of the most photographed locations in all of Japan. Later in the day, the group visits Kiyomizu Dera, a 1200-year-old Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly beautiful when the maple leaves turn red and brown around its wooden structure. The day concludes with a bullet train journey to Okayama, a memorable experience in itself for most first-time visitors to Japan.
Day 6: Okayama to Hiroshima and Back
A more reflective day, with stops at the Peace Memorial Museum and Park, the A-Bomb Dome, the Cenotaph Memorial and the Sadako Monument. The group next takes a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, which is famous for its floating Torii gate and gorgeous coastline, before returning to Okayama for the night.
Day 7: Okayama Sightseeing to Osaka
The morning includes a visit to Okayama Korakuen Garden, which is considered one of Japan’s three greatest traditional gardens. Following lunch, the company goes to Osaka and settles into their hotel for the evening.
Day 8: Osaka Sightseeing to Kansai
The final full day of touring includes a visit to Osaka Castle from the outside, the Umeda Sky Building Observatory for sweeping city views and the boisterous Dotonbori Market, noted for its street cuisine and vibrant nightlife. The group then travels to Kansai, where they spend the night before returning home.
Day 9: Kansai to Mumbai
After breakfast, travellers head to Osaka Airport for the flight back to Mumbai, bringing the 9-day Japan autumn tour to a close.
Why This Itinerary Works for Indian Travellers
What makes this Japan tour package particularly suitable for Indian travellers is the thought given to food and comfort. Most meals are served at Indian restaurants, which removes one of the biggest worries first-time visitors to Japan tend to have. The itinerary also balances nature, culture and modern experiences well, so travellers are never doing the same kind of activity two days in a row. Add to this a guided, fixed-departure format and the trip removes nearly all the planning stress that usually comes with visiting Japan independently.
The Nikko forests, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Kiyomizu Dera alone make this one of the better Japan autumn tour itineraries available, since these locations are widely regarded among the best places to see autumn colours in the country.
Planning Your Japan Autumn Trip
Since autumn foliage in Japan has a relatively short window, usually mid-November, travel dates need to be booked well in advance. Isha Tours runs this 9-day Tokyo to Osaka itinerary specifically around this peak period, so travellers can experience the best of the season rather than catching it too early or too late.
If you are looking for a well-organised Japan tour package from Mumbai that covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka while taking care of meals, transport and accommodation, get in touch with Isha Tours to check current departure dates and reserve your place on this Japan in Autumn tour.
What does a Japan travel package from India cost?
The cost of a 9-day Japan tour from India is mainly determined by the season, hotel category and flight fares at the time of booking. Because this schedule includes meals, transportation and lodging in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it is typically offered as a package rather than as individual expenses. Autumn, as peak season, can be slightly more expensive than other months, so contact Isha Tours early to get current pricing and any early-bird deals.
Do Indians require a visa to travel to Japan?
Yes, Indian visitors require a visa to visit Japan. If the necessary paperwork, such as a passport, pictures, travel schedule and financial proof, are presented appropriately, the process is usually simple. Isha Tours can assist passengers with visa papers as part of the trip booking, making the procedure easier for first-time visitors.
Will Indian cuisine be offered during the trip?
Yes, our trip includes Indian meals on most days, with lunch and dinner served at Indian restaurants in the cities visited. This is one of the most prevalent concerns that Indian tourists have before visiting Japan and it is especially prepared for on our tour so that food is never an issue during the trip.
When is the ideal time to see autumn colours in Japan?
Mid-November is usually regarded as the greatest time to enjoy autumn leaves in Japan, particularly in Nikko, Kyoto and Arashiyama. Because this window is somewhat limited, it is best to arrange vacation dates well in advance to ensure that the trip coincides with peak autumn colours rather than missing them.