| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 20 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, Lunch included, With dinner, Arrange yourself |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Seasonal | Autumn Maple |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Temples & shrines, Historic site tour, Hiking |
| Transport | Walking, Bus tour |
[Travel conditions]
Departure point/Destination: Kyoto
Length of trip: 1 night, 2 days
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company: Shiga Tourist Bus or equivalent
Meal requirements: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Available accommodation:
Urban Hotel Kyoto, Rhino Hotel Kyoto, Urban Hotel Kyoto Nijo Premium, Urban Hotel Kyoto Shijo Premium, Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium
Green Rich Hotel Kyoto Station South, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo, Hotel Heian no Mori Kyoto, Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo
Room type: Western-style room (single/twin) *Business hotel-style accommodation
■Please leave the room allocation at your accommodation to us.
■Please note that room layouts and views from the rooms vary depending on the accommodation.
Minimum number of participants: 20
Tour conductor: 1
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) * No guide-interpreter will accompany
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC.
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration number: Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Travel industry association: Full member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents
[Consignment sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004
Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 2045
Affiliated organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
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 21 day(s) before the departure date
Meals are not included for children under the age of 6
Travel time and stay time may vary depending on road conditions. Also, due to unexpected traffic congestion or congestion at tourist spots, we may be forced to omit some sightseeing spots, shorten sightseeing time, or delay arrival at accommodations or move up departure times.
Regarding hotel accommodation: Even if you have booked a room for two people, you may be accommodated in two separate rooms, each with one guest.
The Sagano Scenic Train is a retro train and does not have heating. Please dress warmly. Please note that we may change the riding section.
Regarding bus seats: You may be seated with other passengers on the bus, but this is at our discretion.
As it is a historic temple, it is characterized by many slopes and stairs. Please make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. On the first day, Jingoji Temple...There are 350-400 steps in front of the temple grounds. On the second day, Kifune Shrine has many narrow roads and no parking lot nearby, so you will have to walk about 10 minutes one way from the parking lot (uphill on the way there/downhill on the way back). Kurama Temple is said to be the place where Ushiwakamaru also trained. It takes about 15 minutes one way by cable car and on foot from the parking lot to the main hall. If the cable car needs to be inspected suddenly, you will have to walk about 30 minutes one way.
This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Please note that Eizan Railway is a local train, so depending on how busy it is, you may have to stand.
Best time to see autumn leaves: Jingoji Temple, Momijiya, Takayama Temple, Sagano Scenic Train, Kifune Shrine, Kurama Temple, Eizan Electric Railway: Mid-November to early December
Regarding breakfast, please note that in some hotels breakfast may be handed over to you at the front desk and served in your room.
The child (elementary school student) fare is 3,000 yen off the adult fare. For children between 3 and 5 years old, the fare is 6,000 yen. For passengers between 3 and 5 years old, a bus seat will be provided for the duration of the trip for a fee, for safety reasons. However, please note that train seats, meals during the trip, and bedding at the accommodations will not be provided. If you would like a train seat, meals, bedding, etc., these will be provided at the child fare.
The Sagano Scenic Train (also known as the Sagano Torokko Train) journey between Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka typically takes approximately 25 minutes one way. This allows passengers to enjoy the scenic Hozugawa Valley at a leisurely pace, with ample opportunities to admire the natural beauty, especially the vibrant autumn foliage.
During autumn, visitors on the Sagano Scenic Train can expect a breathtaking journey through the vibrant Hozugawa Valley, adorned with spectacular fall colors. A unique highlight is the limited-time autumn foliage illuminations, which transform the scenic ride into a fantastic, magical atmosphere, especially in the evenings. The open-air carriages offer unobstructed views for photography.
The optimal time to witness the vibrant autumn foliage in Kyoto, including popular viewing areas like Takao, Kifune, and Kurama, generally falls from mid-November to early December. Takao, being at a slightly higher elevation, often sees its leaves change a little earlier, typically from late October to mid-November, providing an extended viewing opportunity across different parts of Kyoto.
At Jingoji Temple in Takao, visitors can enjoy stunning autumn foliage framing the historic temple structures and the surrounding valleys, particularly from its main gate. Kosanji Temple, a World Heritage site, offers beautiful autumn colors alongside its serene atmosphere and ancient architecture, with vibrant maples creating picturesque scenes throughout its tranquil grounds.
While the peak autumn foliage season in Kyoto, typically mid-November, offers the most spectacular views, it also coincides with significant crowds. To potentially avoid the densest crowds, consider visiting during the earlier parts of November or the very end of the season in early December. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends and public holidays.
The Eizan Electric Railway's 'tunnel of autumn leaves' (Momiji no Tonneru) is a unique experience where the train slows down as it passes through a section densely lined with maple trees, creating a stunning canopy of vibrant colors. During the evening, the trees outside are illuminated, and the train's interior lights are dimmed, enhancing the dramatic effect of the fall foliage viewing.
At Kurama Temple, visitors can explore its historic grounds, nestled in the mountains, which become particularly picturesque during autumn with colorful foliage. Beyond the main temple hall, the area offers nature trails that become scenic with fall colors and a profound sense of tranquility. It also holds historical significance, associated with Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune).
During a visit to Takao, guests can savor traditional Kyoto cuisine for lunch, often enjoyed in a riverside setting that offers scenic views of the autumn leaves. In Arashiyama, a Kyoto tofu dinner is a highly recommended culinary experience. These meals showcase local ingredients and traditional preparation methods, providing an authentic taste of Kyoto's rich food culture.