Japan Autumn Foliage 2-Day Tour | Karuizawa, Manza, Fukiware Falls & Kusatsu Onsen Pilgrimage & Snow Monkey Park Experience (Departing from Shinjuku)

• Shiraito Falls, located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, is a popular natural landmark known for its unique appearance. Unlike typical waterfalls that cascade from a great height, Shiraito Falls is formed by groundwater seeping through volcanic rock layers, creating a 70-meter-wide arc of delicate, thread-like streams that resemble white silk. Standing about 3 meters high, the gentle flow is especially enchanting during the cool summer months and against the backdrop of autumn foliage. It is beautiful in every season: adorned with fresh greenery in spring, cool and serene in summer, picturesque with autumn leaves, and uniquely charming in winter. It is a popular spot for short trips, photography, and sketching in the Karuizawa area.

• Old Karuizawa Ginza Street is one of the most popular historic districts in Karuizawa, boasting a rich European atmosphere and deep cultural heritage. Blending natural beauty with humanistic charm, it is a must-visit destination in Karuizawa. Whether you are strolling, shopping, or tasting local delicacies, it offers a unique experience. Features include red-brick pavements, European-style architecture, old churches, jam shops, cafes, and souvenir stores.

• Jigokudani Monkey Park was established in 1964 and is located in the Yokoyu River valley of the Joshin'etsukogen National Park at an altitude of approximately 850 meters. Due to frequent geothermal activity, steam and boiling water often rise from ground fissures, earning it the name 'Hell Valley'. The Japanese macaques here have developed the habit of bathing in hot springs during the cold winter months by imitating humans. The park has built a dedicated hot spring pool for the monkeys and feeds them daily to keep them in the area for visitors to observe up close. In autumn, the temperature is moderate and the monkeys are more active; it is common to see mother monkeys with their babies foraging or playing in the forest. Although most monkeys do not bathe in the hot spring, you can still observe their natural state and social behavior at close range.
  
  Autumn Foliage: The forest surrounding the park gradually turns shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a layered autumn landscape. The combination of autumn leaves, valley views, hot spring steam, and lively monkeys makes it an ideal subject for photography enthusiasts.

• Kusatsu Onsen Street is unique in autumn and is one of the most popular hot spring towns in Japan. It offers not only a rich hot spring culture but also stunning autumn foliage and streets perfect for strolling. Yubatake: The symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. Steam rises from the 'hot water field' in the center, which is surrounded by autumn leaves, creating a picture-perfect scene. Kusatsu Netsunoyu (Thermal Performance): Experience the 'Yumomi' performance (a traditional temperature-cooling method) to immerse yourself in the unique hot spring culture of Kusatsu.

• Fukiware Falls, located in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture, is a spectacular waterfall known as the 'Niagara of the East'. The waterfall is about 7 meters high and 30 meters wide, with water carving a unique V-shaped crack into the rocks of the Katashina River, creating a breathtaking natural landscape. In autumn, the forests on both sides of the waterfall are covered in red, orange, and yellow hues, forming a gorgeous autumn scroll.
  
  

- Accommodation Hotel (Choose one) -

• Manza Prince Hotel is located in the Manza Onsen area of Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture, at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters, making it one of the highest year-round hot spring resorts in Japan. Every autumn (late September to mid-October), the surrounding mountains are covered in red, orange, and yellow colors, creating a spectacular autumn foliage landscape. Known as the 'hot spring closest to the starry sky', it features an open-air bath with a stunning view and has been voted the number one secret hot spring.

• Manza Kogen Hotel is located in the Manza Onsen area of Tsumagoi Village, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters, making it one of the highest year-round hot spring resorts in Japan. Every autumn (late September to mid-October), the surrounding mountains are covered in red, orange, and yellow colors, creating a spectacular autumn foliage landscape. The hotel's 'Sekitei Open-Air Bath' consists of 8 outdoor pools using 4 different types of spring water, some of which are mixed-gender. In addition, there is the 'Hyakusen-no-Yu' with various indoor and outdoor baths, totaling 12 pools for guests to enjoy a diverse hot spring experience.