The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. A private coach will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.

The day is designed to give you a classic taste of Japan with sprinkles of autumn colors (koyo), a perfect opening for this itinerary. There are three elements to a classic Japan experience: modernity, as represented by the soaring structures in Tokyo Tower and Skytree; history, as represented by the major temples and shrines from three different eras; and gastronomy, as represented by the crescendo of tea, tofu, and teppanyaki.

Even in a city as big and modern in Tokyo, there is no shortage of breathtaking sceneries. The destinations chosen allow you to enjoy different shades of autumn colors, from momiji (maple) to icho (ginkgo). We took it one step further: even the selected restaurants feature Japanese gardens that look especially mesmerizing in autumn. As you enjoy the unbridled beauty of Tokyo, please remember that today is just an opening act; the best is yet to come.

Leaving Tokyo in the morning, you will leave for the famous city of Kyoto on the famous bullet train. What awaits you is a classic Kyoto experience: a series of awe-inspiring temples. Witness the glittering Kinkaku-ji and its divine reflection in the water. Behold the blazing autumn colors from atop the Tahoto Pagoda in Eikan-do. You will also sample authentic Kyoto cuisine, an epitome of sophistication, beauty, and flavor.

The traditional city of Kyoto will serve as a transitioning point between the dazzling bustle of Tokyo and the peaceful quiet of your next destination. After a long-distance transfer and a relatively packed day in Kyoto, you will enjoy a classy stay in an auberge on Mt. Hiei, which boasts an incredible view of Lake Biwa. Having tasted several kinds of Japanese dishes for the past few meals, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel offers you French-style menu for dinner.

Checking out of your lavish hotel, you will visit Enryaku-ji, a secluded temple on Mt. Hiei. This is in itself symbolic of a pilgrimage, but it is also nothing less than an exciting adventure! During your visit to the historic temple, you will explore both the east (Todo) and west (Saito) area, between the two of which you will enjoy a pleasant trek through the woods. In keeping with the ascetic theme of the day, you will be served shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist cuisine known for its creative use of natural vegetarian ingredients. As a result, both the excursion and food today will provide you a holistic study of both the history and nature of Mt. Hiei.

In the afternoon, to descend the mountain, you will take a ropeway and cable car as a side attraction to experience the moving beauty of Mt. Hiei. You will regroup with your driver at the end of the ride. Afterward, you will check into a ryokan in Kameoka. This location is a hidden gem much like Enryaku-ji. Relax in the soothing hot springs at the end of this active day, and enjoy the quality seasonal dinner that the ryokan is proud of.

Today, you will see the main highlights of the autumn colors tour -- times two! In the first half, you will be taking the exciting Sagano Romantic Train from Kameoka to Arashiyama. In the so-called “truck train”, you will see fantastic views of the Hozu River and the surrounding mountains and forests, whose beauty during the season is best described as “indescribable”. Getting off at Arashiyama, you will explore its many attractions, including the world renowned bamboo grove. And of course, a delicious kaiseki lunch is in order.

In the second half, you will take the ropeway up Mt. Yoshino and gaze in marvel as the forest of momiji gets illuminated at dusk. A romantic walking trail passes by both a large wooden temple and a famous shrine, and features many light-up spots that provides an almost illusory sight after sunset. It is only fitting that your place of stay at the end of this spectacular day will be a ryokan just a few minutes away by foot. The open-air baths and large windows will provide you with even more breathtaking views of the autumnal scenery.

Much like Kyoto on Day 3, Nara is a traditional city that serves as a buffer between the all-natural setting of the previous day and the metropolis of the next. Today’s schedule brings you an exciting time with a thousand wild deer in a park, a visit to temples with impressive wooden architecture, and a walk into a grand shrine famous for its hundreds of lanterns. You will also witness the largest Buddha statue in the country. It is indeed a city of wonderful landmarks!

To complete the classic Nara experience, you will be served cha-gayu for lunch. The so-called tea porridge is a traditional food of the Yamato Province, which is what present-day Nara was called 17 centuries ago. In other words, the dish is rich in history just as it is in flavor. After your excursion in Nara, it is time for you to be reacquainted to that lively side of Japan in Osaka.

The penultimate day of this trip is designed to give you ample time to prepare for your flight on the next day. As such, the schedule includes the two things Osaka is best known for: the grand Osaka Castle, and the country’s most popular crab dishes. Afterward, you will have enough time to browse for gifts and souvenirs in the city’s premier shopping area.

At the end of your adventure, you will be transferred to a new hotel near Kansai International Airport, which will be your port of exit. It is time to start packing all the good stuff you collected during your stay in Japan. And if you haven’t bought enough, there is always the Rinku Premium Outlets nearby! Have fun on your last night in Japan!

You have completed the Classic Koyo tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!