Autumn Foliage West Tokyo Full-Day Tour with Monkeys and Bamboo or Lucky Cat Temple Course
Joined 2024
Options- [1: Chuo Line Course] or [2 : Keio Line Course].
Experience Tokyo's breathtaking autumn foliage on this seasonal tour. [1] Begin with Inokashira Pond and Showa Kinen Park, known for their stunning fall colors, before enjoying lunch in Tachikawa City. [2] Visit Mt. Takao, including a ride on the ropeway and a stop at the monkey park. Witness the vibrant autumn hues at the Fall of Maple and Gotokuji Temple. Conclude your day at Meiji Jingu Gaien with its beautiful ginkgo trees.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
[1: Chuo Line Course] Inokashira Pond
Start your adventure at Inokashira Pond, a tranquil spot in Kichijoji. The surrounding park is adorned with colorful autumn leaves.
[1: Chuo Line Course] Tonogayoto Garden
Head to Tonogayoto Garden, a hidden gem featuring a traditional Japanese landscape. The garden showcases a stunning array of fall foliage, with vibrant maples and serene ponds. The peaceful atmosphere invites contemplation and appreciation of nature, making it an ideal stop for relaxation.
[1: Chuo Line Course] Showa Kinen Park
Next, explore Showa Kinen Park, a vast park in Tachikawa known for its impressive seasonal displays. In fall, the park transforms with brilliant red and yellow leaves, especially in the ginkgo and maple groves. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, cycling paths, and beautiful flower beds, making it a perfect place to soak in the autumn scenery.
[1: Chuo Line Course] Tachikawa City for Lunch
Enjoy a lunch break in Tachikawa City, where you can find a variety of dining options ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to international fare.
[2 : Keio Line Course] Fall of Maple
Stop at the Fall of Maple, a picturesque area renowned for its vibrant autumn leaves. The combination of maple trees and gentle streams creates a tranquil environment perfect for photography and leisurely walks, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the season.
[2 : Keio Line Course] Gotokuji
Visit Gotokuji Temple, famous for its thousands of "maneki-neko" (lucky cat) statues. The temple’s peaceful grounds, combined with autumn’s colorful backdrop, create a serene atmosphere for reflection and exploration. It’s a unique cultural experience that highlights Japanese traditions.
[2 : Keio Line Course] Mt. Takao
In autumn, the mountain is cloaked in rich colors, providing breathtaking views.
[2 : Keio Line Course] Ropeway
Take the ropeway up Mt. Takao for stunning aerial views of the fall foliage. The ride is an excellent way to capture panoramic photographs of the colorful landscape below, offering a unique perspective on the surrounding nature.
[2 : Keio Line Course] Monkey Park
At the base of Mt. Takao, visit the Monkey Park, home to Japanese macaques. The park offers a chance to observe these playful animals up close, making for an engaging experience. The setting also features beautiful views of the mountains and trees.
Meiji Jingu Gaien
This can be the common visiting spot whichever the course you choose. (You can skip this spot if your hotel location is not convenient from here.)
Conclude your tour at Meiji Jingu Gaien, renowned for its stunning ginkgo trees that that turn a brilliant yellow in fall. The tree-lined avenue is particularly photogenic, making it a popular spot for autumn leaf viewing. Enjoy a leisurely walk amidst the vibrant colors, and capture the beauty of the season as you reflect on your day’s experiences.
Ending Point
Your Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour guide fee
Interpreting
Hotel pick up/drop off within Tokyo 23 wards
Temples and Shrines are admission-free
Guide's admissions
Guide's rail fare
Your rail fare
Your park admissions
Ropeway fare
Monkey park admissions
Your lunch
Tour Important Information
Please choose from 2 route options [1: Chuo Line Course] or
[2 : Keio Line Course]. Lunch place is in Tachikawa City with various choices of restaurants when you choose [1: Chuo Line Course]. For [2 : Keio Line Course], we can stop anywhere on the way for lunch.
Showa Kinen Park (Showa Memorial Park)
Peak Viewing: Late October to Late November
Recommended Dates: November 1-20
During this period, the park showcases vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, particularly in the maple and ginkgo trees. Early November is especially beautiful.
Mount Takao
Peak Viewing: Mid to Late November
Recommended Dates: November 15-30
The foliage on Mt. Takao reaches its peak in mid-November, with breathtaking views of autumn colors contrasting against the blue sky. Late November is also stunning, but be aware that the crowds can increase.
Icho Namiki (Ginkgo Avenue)
Peak Viewing: Late November to Early December
Recommended Dates: November 25 - December 5
The iconic ginkgo trees along the avenue turn a brilliant yellow, creating a breathtaking tunnel of color. This period is perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery as the leaves are at their most vibrant.
Important message from the supplier
DO NOT CONTACT ME FOR DRIVING SERVICES.
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Important Information – Please Read Before Inquiring
Please read before reaching out. Inquiries should be made with the intent to book a tour.
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Are the tours rail-based?
Yes—tours are primarily rail-based, especially within Tokyo. On the first day, I’ll help you learn the Tokyo rail system, assist with IC card setup, and explain how to navigate confidently.
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Can you book tickets for us?
I don’t handle advance reservations. Most people want to visit places like teamLab, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky, Studio Ghibli, or the Sumo Lunch in Tokyo. These must be booked separately on your own. I can include these as part of the tour day or drop you off there, but I can’t make bookings on your behalf due to liability issues and platform commission.
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What about Mt. Fuji?
Due to visibility issues and common misunderstandings about access and logistics, inquiries about Mt. Fuji often don’t lead to bookings. A group bus tour is usually the better option.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Grant A.
Hello! My name is Grant, and I’ve spent over a decade living and exploring Japan. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I first came to Japan as a high school exchange student in Inuyama, a historic castle town in Aichi. My love for Japan began early—sparked by childhood games like Pokémon that were released in Japanese before English. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for Japanese language, culture, and history.
I hold an N2 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, a degree in Asian Studies from a Tokyo university, and I graduated from the Japan Visual Media Translation Academy. I’ve visited all 47 prefectures and explored a wide range of historical sites, shrines, and castles throughout the country. My background in Japanese history helps me provide context that brings depth and meaning to the places we visit—whether it's understanding a centuries-old temple in Kyoto, the story behind a castle ruin, or uncovering the historical layers of a Tokyo neighborhood.
If you’re planning to explore Tokyo, here are some tour options to consider:
One day in Tokyo? The Ginza Line Tour offers a great introduction to the city’s highlights.
Two days? Pair the East Tokyo Tour and West Tokyo Tour to get a well-rounded experience.
Interested in anime? The Anime Tour is flexible and can be tailored to match your specific interests.
For those looking to go beyond the city, I also offer day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, and other nearby destinations.
While most guests book Tokyo-based tours, I also guide in other regions—especially Kyoto, where I’ve visited every World Heritage Site. I regularly lead tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and other locations easily reached by rail. Multi-day and custom tours are available on request.
Full-Day Tour: 40,000 yen (8 hours)
Full-Day Tour Outside of Tokyo: 40,000 yen + transportation
Feel free to get in touch to plan a tour that fits your interests and travel plans.
Reviews
Chris P.
“Great tour!”
Grant did an exceptional job. He met us on time at an easy to find location. He customized our tour and made traveling by train to cover a lot of ground quickly a breeze. The intermittent train rides were appreciated as it was a warm day and our tour involved a lot a walking. What was really nice is that at the end of the day, he made sure that we made it back to our hotel and provided a written summary of everything that we had visited during our tour. As a fellow/former “Nebraskan” his English was much appreciated!
Jill S.
“A great Tokyo overview!”
My family just finished a 2 day tour with Grant and we couldn’t recommend him enough! Grant is a wealth of knowledge and expertly guided us through both the Eastern and Western sides of Tokyo while also adjusting our itinerary to build in some of our personal requests for shopping, Pokémon Center stops, and a latte art coffee shop that we asked to visit. As a native English speaker, he was very easy to understand. Grant also helped us get familiar with the trains and left us with detailed instructions on how to navigate the train system for our remaining days in Tokyo and beyond. We are so happy that we hired Grant to help us get an introduction to Tokyo, 100% recommend!
Alfonso S.
“An American guide in Tokyo ”
We have selected Grant for our stay in Tokyo, and we could be more happy to have done so. He is a very knowledgeable guide with vast experience in the Japanese culture, religion, customs, as well gastronomy and tastes. Were recommend him for English speaking travelers who need to understand this destination and want a kind and intelligent guide. Thanks Grant
$277/ per group
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