14 Days
Best for: Backpacker
Japan on a Budget: 14 Days
Two weeks through Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka without sacrificing the highlights
#Budget
From$1,800/person
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Japan Autumn Foliage: The 10-Day Koyo Route
Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, and Hakone chasing peak fall color
10 DaysBest for: NatureFrom $2,400/personAutumn
ExploreJapanDaily Editorial TeamEditorially reviewedUpdated July 6, 2026Verified July 6, 202615 min read
Duration: 10 DaysDestinations: Tokyo, Kyoto, HakoneBudget: Mid-RangePace: Moderate
Koyo, Japan's autumn foliage season, rivals cherry blossoms for beauty but draws noticeably fewer international crowds, even as the color show is arguably more dramatic. This route times your days for peak color across three of the country's best foliage regions: Nikko's mountain forests, Kyoto's temple gardens, and Hakone's lakeside maples.
Because peak color shifts by elevation and moves north-to-south through November (the reverse of spring's cherry blossom wave), this itinerary is sequenced to chase that window deliberately, starting in higher-elevation Nikko before the color descends to Kyoto and Hakone later in the trip.
⚡Quick Answer
What you need to know: 10 Days, $2,400-$6,200 per person, best in Autumn, covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone with a Japan Rail Pass covering every inter-city leg.
💡Good to Know
- •Walking level: Heavy
- •Japan Rail Pass recommended: Yes
- •Family-friendly: Not specifically designed for young children
- •Travel entirely by JR train between Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone. A 7, 14, or 21-day Japan Rail Pass covers every inter-city leg.
What's Included in This Itinerary
🍁
Nikko's Mountain Foliage
Toshogu Shrine framed by some of the earliest and most vivid color of the season.
⛩️
Eikando Temple
Known as Kyoto's foliage temple, with maples that turn brilliant red around the main hall.
🎋
Tofuku-ji Valley Bridge
A wooden bridge over a valley of maples, one of the most photographed foliage spots in Kyoto.
🚡
Hakone Ropeway in Color
Ride above maple-covered slopes with Mount Fuji as a backdrop on clear days.
🛶
Lake Ashi Cruise
A foliage-framed lake cruise past the iconic Hakone Shrine torii gate.
📷
Shinjuku Gyoen
Tokyo's own foliage garden, a quiet contrast to the city's neon, ideal for a slow first morning.
Your Complete 10 Days Plan
Every day. Every stop. Real costs, real transport times, honest opinions.
TokyoDays 1–3
Stay: ShinjukuCost: $85–$150/dayEat: Yakitori in Omoide Yokocho
DAY 1Arrival and Shinjuku Gyoen
ShinjukuAfternoon
Land and check in
Arrive at Narita or Haneda, take the airport express into central Tokyo, and check into your Shinjuku hotel.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: Narita Express or Limousine Bus to Shinjuku StationCost: $25–$35
Evening
Shinjuku Gyoen at golden hour
Walk the gardens as the maples begin turning, then dinner in Omoide Yokocho.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: Walkable from Shinjuku hotelsCost: $5 garden entry
Where to Stay Tonight
Shinjuku
Central, well-connected to the JR Yamanote loop.
Don't Miss Eating
Yakitori in Omoide Yokocho
Grilled skewers in a narrow postwar alley, the classic first-night Tokyo meal.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$150/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 8,000–11,000 steps
DAY 2Nikko Day Trip
Tobu-NikkoMorning
Toshogu Shrine
Walk the elaborately carved shrine complex, framed by some of the season's earliest peak foliage.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: Tobu Nikko Line limited express from AsakusaCost: $13 shrine entry
Afternoon
Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji
Continue uphill to Japan's highest single-drop waterfall, ringed by color at this elevation.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: Local bus from Nikko StationCost: $5–$8
Where to Stay Tonight
Shinjuku
Same hotel as Day 1.
Don't Miss Eating
Yuba (tofu skin) set meal
Nikko's signature dish, delicate tofu skin served in a multi-course set.
Daily spend estimate: $70–$120/personTransport today: $25–$35 (round-trip limited express)Walking: 13,000–17,000 steps
DAY 3Asakusa and Departure for Kyoto
AsakusaMorning
Senso-ji Temple
Visit Tokyo's oldest temple and browse the Nakamise shopping street.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to AsakusaCost: Free
Afternoon
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Board the Tokaido Shinkansen for the roughly 2-hour 15-minute ride west to Kyoto.
Time: 2.5 hoursTransport: JR Tokyo Station to Kyoto StationCost: $130–$140
Where to Stay Tonight
Gion or Kawaramachi
Walkable to Kyoto's old town and temples.
Don't Miss Eating
Bento box on the Shinkansen
An ekiben (station bento) is part of the bullet-train ritual, grab one before boarding.
Daily spend estimate: $80–$140/personTransport today: $130–$145 (Shinkansen to Kyoto)Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
KyotoDays 4–7
Stay: GionCost: $85–$140/dayEat: Obanzai set meal in Nishiki Market
DAY 4Tofuku-ji and Eastern Kyoto
GionMorning
Tofuku-ji Temple and Valley Bridge
Walk the wooden bridge over a valley of maples, one of Kyoto's most photographed foliage spots.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: JR Nara Line to Tofukuji StationCost: $5–$6
Afternoon
Gion and Kiyomizu-dera
Wander Gion's preserved streets, then climb to Kiyomizu-dera for sweeping color views.
Time: 3 hoursTransport: City bus or 25-minute walkCost: $5–$10
Where to Stay Tonight
Gion or Kawaramachi
Same hotel as Day 3.
Don't Miss Eating
Obanzai set meal in Nishiki Market
Kyoto's traditional home-style cooking, sampled stall-by-stall through the covered market.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$140/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 12,000–16,000 steps
DAY 5Eikando and Northern Higashiyama
GionMorning
Eikando Temple
Kyoto's classic foliage temple, with maples turning brilliant red around the main hall and pond.
Time: 1.5–2 hoursTransport: City bus to Eikando-michiCost: $8–$10
Afternoon
Philosopher's Path
Walk the canal-side path beneath maple canopy between Eikando and Ginkaku-ji.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Walkable from EikandoCost: Free
Where to Stay Tonight
Gion or Kawaramachi
Same hotel as Day 3.
Don't Miss Eating
Kaiseki-style kaiseki lunch near Philosopher's Path
A lighter seasonal lunch set, often featuring autumn vegetables and chestnuts.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$140/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 12,000–16,000 steps
DAY 6Arashiyama in Color
ArashiyamaMorning
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Walk the bamboo corridor early, then visit Tenryu-ji temple's garden, ringed by autumn color.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: JR Sagano Line to Saga-ArashiyamaCost: $5–$8 temple entry
Afternoon
Arashiyama riverside maples
Walk along the Katsura River where maple trees line the banks in peak color.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Walkable from the bamboo groveCost: Free
Where to Stay Tonight
Gion or Kawaramachi
Same hotel as Day 3.
Don't Miss Eating
Tofu kaiseki in Arashiyama
A delicate multi-course tofu meal, a regional specialty of the Arashiyama area.
Daily spend estimate: $80–$135/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 12,000–16,000 steps
DAY 7Free Morning and Departure for Hakone
KawaramachiMorning
Free morning or Nishiki Market revisit
An open morning to revisit a favorite temple or browse the covered market once more.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: FlexibleCost: $0–$20
Afternoon
Shinkansen and Romancecar to Hakone
Return east via Shinkansen to Odawara, then the Hakone Tozan line into the mountains.
Time: 3 hours totalTransport: Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara, then Hakone Tozan RailwayCost: $130–$145
Where to Stay Tonight
Gora or Miyanoshita
A ryokan with onsen access for the foliage finale.
Don't Miss Eating
Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan
A multi-course traditional dinner, usually included with a ryokan stay.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$150/personTransport today: $135–$150 (Shinkansen and limited express to Hakone)Walking: 8,000–11,000 steps
HakoneDays 8–10
Stay: GoraCost: $150–$250/dayEat: Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan
DAY 8Lake Ashi and the Hakone Ropeway
GoraMorning
Hakone Ropeway over Owakudani
Ride above maple-covered slopes, with Mount Fuji visible as a backdrop on clear days.
Time: 2–3 hoursTransport: Hakone Tozan Cable Car then RopewayCost: Included in Hakone Free Pass
Afternoon
Lake Ashi cruise
Cruise past the iconic torii gate, with maple-lined shores reflecting in the water.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Hakone Sightseeing CruiseCost: Included in Hakone Free Pass
Where to Stay Tonight
Gora or Miyanoshita
Same ryokan as Day 7.
Don't Miss Eating
Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan
A multi-course traditional dinner, the centerpiece of a ryokan stay.
Daily spend estimate: $150–$250/personTransport today: $15–$25 (Hakone Free Pass loop)Walking: 9,000–13,000 steps
DAY 9Hakone Open-Air Museum and Onsen
MiyanoshitaMorning
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Wander sculpture gardens set against maple-covered mountains.
Time: 1.5–2 hoursTransport: Hakone Tozan Railway to Chokoku-no-MoriCost: $10–$15
Afternoon
Final onsen soak
A last unhurried soak before heading back toward Tokyo.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: On-site at your ryokanCost: Included
Where to Stay Tonight
Gora or Miyanoshita
Same ryokan as Day 7.
Don't Miss Eating
Soba with seasonal mushrooms
A warming autumn soba dish, common on ryokan menus this time of year.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$150/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 9,000–13,000 steps
DAY 10Departure
MiyanoshitaMorning
Last-minute shopping in Hakone-Yumoto
A final stop for local crafts and snacks before the trip back to the airport.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Walkable in Hakone-YumotoCost: $10–$25
Afternoon
Departure via Tokyo airport
Transfer back through Odawara and on to Narita or Haneda for your flight home.
Time: 2.5–3 hoursTransport: Hakone Tozan Railway to Odawara, then Shinkansen and airport expressCost: $30–$45
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A
Departure day, no overnight stay.
Don't Miss Eating
Onsen manju (steamed bun)
A final regional sweet snack, sold throughout Hakone-Yumoto's station shops.
Daily spend estimate: $50–$90/personTransport today: $30–$45 (transfer to Tokyo airport)Walking: 4,000–7,000 steps
Transport Guide
Travel entirely by JR train between Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone. A 7, 14, or 21-day Japan Rail Pass covers every inter-city leg.
| Route | Transport | Time | Cost | JR Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Kyoto | JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari/Kodama for full JR Pass coverage) | 2h 15m | ¥13,320 (~$89) | Yes |
| Kyoto → Hakone | Odakyu bus/train to Odawara, then JR Tokaido Shinkansen | 2h 30m | ¥8,500–¥9,500 (~$57–$63) | Yes |
⭐Best For
A Japan Rail Pass is recommended for this route: most of the inter-city legs are covered.
See current JR Pass pricing →Estimated Trip Cost (USD, Per Person)
All figures below are per person, based on double-occupancy accommodation. Flights are from US/Canada.
| Category | Budget | Mid-RangeMost Popular | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $800 | $1,150 | $2,000 |
| Accommodation | $700 | $1,050 | $2,200 |
| Food & Drink | $350 | $500 | $900 |
| Local Transport | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Activities & Entrance Fees | $350 | $500 | $600 |
| Total | $2,400 | $3,500 | $6,200 |
Last verified: 2026-07-06. Costs are estimates per person. Exchange rate used: JPY 150 = $1 USD.
Peak foliage dates shift year to year by up to two weeks, check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's koyo forecast about a month out before locking your dates.
Foliage season overlaps with strong domestic travel demand, book the Hakone ryokan especially early, regional inventory is limited.
Packing Tips
Pack for a heavy-walking trip in Autumn. See our full seasonal packing guide for a day-by-day checklist.
Full packing guide →Need to Know Before You Go
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