[Gunma Autumn Foliage Day Tour] Kanto's Rurikoin! Stunning 'Hōtoku-ji Temple' Maple Reflections & Orihime Shrine 'Maple Valley' & Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination | Depart from Shinjuku
- Limited time only! Gunma's famous temple, 'Hōtoku-ji', features stunning maple reflections on its grounds, known as the 'Rurikoin' of the Kanto region!
- Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination, voted the No. 1 illumination in Japan for years! The purple light feast of the miracle wisteria in the park is absolutely breathtaking!
- Featuring seven-colored torii gates! Tochigi's matchmaking shrine, 'Orihime Shrine'! Don't miss the famous autumn foliage spot in the park, 'Maple Valley'!
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Late Departure (After 9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 20 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Lunch included |
| Seasonal | Autumn Maple |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Theme parks, Temples & shrines, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
－Tour Introduction－
・Hōtoku-ji Temple
Hōtoku-ji Temple is a temple with a long history and a beautiful garden located in the mountains of Gunma. There is a path in the temple called the 'Jizo Path', which is lined with 50 Jizo statues in various forms. There are petting Jizo, smiling Jizo, joyful Jizo, happy Jizo, and more, all welcoming visitors with friendly postures. Depending on the season, they wear hats or clothes, providing great comfort. Please join your hands and pray in front of each Jizo statue. Every autumn, the maple leaves in the temple turn red, attracting the largest crowds of foliage viewers, making it a popular hidden gem for autumn leaves in the hearts of the Japanese! In particular, you can enjoy stunning maple reflections just like at Kyoto's 'Rurikoin', which is spectacular in both summer and autumn!
・Ashikaga Flower Park
In addition to the spectacular wisteria flowers in spring, the 'Garden of Illuminated Flowers' held in autumn and winter has been selected as one of the 'Three Major Illuminations in Japan' and has won the honor of being No. 1 in the country for 7 consecutive years! Over 5 million light bulbs are decorated in the park, bringing the night to life! Among them, the 'Miracle Wisteria' will be illuminated to resemble the colors of spring wisteria, looking vivid and lifelike!
・Orihime Shrine
Ashikaga Orihime Shrine is located on a hill in Ashikaga City and is a shrine famous for matchmaking. The shrine enshrines Ame no Mihoko no Mikoto and Ame no Yachichi Hime no Mikoto, symbolizing the combination of warp and weft in weaving, representing the union of men and women and a happy marriage. The shrine has 229 stone steps, and after climbing them, you can overlook the beautiful city view. The seven-colored torii gates on the grounds symbolize the seven divine virtues of the shrine, including connections for interpersonal relationships, health, wisdom, life, academics, work, and management. The 'Bell of Love' at the shrine is a romantic spot that couples must visit. It also attracts many tourists due to its autumn foliage and night illumination.
Visiting Hotoku-ji Temple is like visiting Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto, where you can take photos of beautiful reflections of maple leaves!
One of Japan's three major light shows: Ashikaga Flower Park
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Tokyo, Gunma, Tochigi
Travel duration: 1 day
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: Aiko Co., Ltd. / TCB Co., Ltd. / Ako Co., Ltd. / Co., Ltd. / Iruma Chuo Transportation Co., Ltd. / Miyaura Co., Ltd. Hikari/Korea Light Co., Ltd./Japanese Koko Co., Ltd./Aogaki Koko Co., Ltd./Tokyo Yukanko Co., Ltd./Kumanko Co., Ltd./or equivalent bus company
Meals: Breakfast 0 times, Lunch 1 time, Dinner 0 times
Minimum number of people in a group: 20
Team leader: 1
Tour guide: 0
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: Torotech Co., Ltd.
Address: 4th floor, Tennozu Center Tower, 2-2-24 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
License number: Tokyo Governor's registered travel business No. 2-5234
Travel Industry Association Name: Full Member of National Travel Industry Association
Reminders
A minimum of 20 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 17:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please be advised that the itinerary or the duration of stay at each attraction may be adjusted due to traffic congestion, facility maintenance, etc.
Please reserve time to arrive at the meeting point. The bus will depart on time. No waiting will be done if you are late. If you leave the group midway, it will be deemed that you have automatically given up the unfinished itinerary and no additional refund will be given. Thank you for your understanding.
If you have any questions about the meeting point, please consult the supplier in advance. Please note that the on-site staff will not contact guests who fail to arrive on time.
The tour includes a lot of walking, so please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
The tour leader can communicate in Chinese and simple English. No guided tour will be provided. However, relevant precautions and introductions will be given on the bus. Please be aware of this.
This group is for Japanese and overseas tourists to ride together. If there are less than 20 overseas tourists, we will notify you separately to change the tour leader to a Japanese one. Please be aware of this. If the tour leader is changed to a Japanese one, he will provide Chinese or English precautions and tour points. The tour leader can communicate in Japanese and simple English, but will not provide a tour guide when getting off the bus. Please be aware of this.
During the flower/cherry blossom/maple viewing season, there will be a large number of people at the scenic spots, and there is a possibility of serious traffic jams. We will adjust the stay time at each scenic spot according to the on-site situation. Thank you for your understanding.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 11 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 10 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once your refund request is confirmed, KKday will initiate the refund to your original payment method within 15 days. The actual refund timing depends on your card-issuing bank’s policy.
FAQs
1. How can visitors best capture the autumn leaves reflections at Hotoku-ji Temple?
To best capture the autumn leaves reflections at Hotoku-ji Temple, focus on the temple's unique water features and polished surfaces. Arrive in the morning for calm water and soft light, which enhances the clarity of reflections. Experiment with different angles to frame the vibrant reds and golds mirrored on the water, creating a stunning visual effect.
2. What unique attractions, besides maple leaves, can be found at Orihime Shrine's Maple Valley?
Beyond its beautiful maple leaves, Orihime Shrine is famous for its distinct "Maple Valley" and the unique seven-colored torii gate. Visitors can explore the charming shrine grounds, which are dedicated to matchmaking and friendship. The combination of historical architecture and natural autumn beauty offers a culturally rich and picturesque experience.
3. What specific light shows or illuminated features are prominent at Ashikaga Flower Park's evening event?
Ashikaga Flower Park's evening light-up features several prominent illuminated displays, including its "Miracle Wisteria," which transforms into a breathtaking purple light feast. Other prominent features often include shimmering tunnels of light, vibrant flowerbeds bathed in colorful illuminations, and various artistic light installations that create a magical atmosphere throughout the park.
4. When is the optimal period to witness the vibrant autumn colors at Gunma's various attractions?
The optimal period to witness vibrant autumn colors at Gunma's attractions generally falls from late October to late November. Peak viewing times can vary slightly each year based on weather conditions. It is advisable to check local foliage forecasts closer to your travel dates for the most accurate timing to see the leaves at their most brilliant.
5. What is the recommended duration to fully enjoy the autumn leaves at Hotoku-ji Temple and Orihime Shrine?
To fully enjoy the autumn leaves and unique features at Hotoku-ji Temple and Orihime Shrine, a combined duration of approximately 2 to 3 hours is recommended. This allows sufficient time to admire Hotoku-ji's reflections, explore Orihime Shrine's Maple Valley and seven-colored torii, take photographs, and soak in the serene atmosphere at each location.
6. How do visitors typically travel to Gunma Prefecture to access these autumn leaves viewing spots from Tokyo?
Visitors often travel to Gunma Prefecture from Tokyo by various means. For accessing these specific autumn leaves viewing spots, a common and convenient option is to join a guided bus tour departing from major hubs like Shinjuku. This eliminates the need for navigating multiple public transport transfers and provides direct access to the attractions.
7. What makes the autumn leaves tour to Kanto Rurikoin Temple and its surrounding attractions a unique experience?
This autumn leaves tour offers a unique experience by combining various scenic and cultural highlights. It includes the stunning reflections at Kanto Rurikoin Temple and Hotoku-ji Temple, the distinctive Maple Valley at Orihime Shrine with its seven-colored torii, and the enchanting evening light-up at Ashikaga Flower Park, providing a diverse autumn itinerary.
