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
Marion B.
“Go with Grant- you won’t be sorry!”
Grant was the perfect guide for our first day in Tokyo. He was incredibly accommodating, insightful, and flexible—willing to adjust our plans as needed to make the most of our time. We covered a lot of ground on the east side of Tokyo and even stumbled upon an unexpected street festival, which made the experience even more memorable. I wouldn’t hesitate to book him again or recommend him to others.
Javier M.
“A MUST have guide.”
With the limited time I've spent with Grant it sure was a blast! Having Grant as a guide for a day taking me to the most popular technological and otaku filled place in Tokyo was wide opening. While Grant may look a bit intimidatingly awkward, hes quite professional in his touring and guiding skills. He taught me how to properly use Japan's shinkansen and train stations when traveling to other places besides Tokyo. If you are in the fence on having Grant as a guide in japan ill say go for it! Hes been living in japan as a foreign exchange student since high-school, as well as having traveled to all of Japan's prefectures! As a side note he taught me the history and manufacturing process of making Japanese whiskey and scotch, in which he is quite knowledgeable on.
Sofiabennie V.
“Custom Tour in Tokyo”
We had a great day with Grant. When we came to Tokyo we had already been in Japan for more than 2 weeks and and were out of firm plans and tired of all the planning. We wanted to let someone else take the wheel and a less crowded experience. We contacted Grant who asked about our interests and then built a custom itinerary for us. He took us to the Lucky Cat temple, Showa Kinen park, for som great fried chicken and to Nakano Broadway. What's more we also had som great discussions on living abroad, languages, history and much more. He has a great knowledge of Japanese history and culture which gave a depth and perspective to our discussions. We warmly recommend Grant as a tour guide.
$277/ per group
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