Some of my favourite trips to plan tend to start the same way:
“I really want to go **** and do it properly… but I just don’t have the time to figure it all out.”

That was exactly the case when my client Mark came to me about Japan. He has a demanding job, limited annual leave, and no spare hours to get stuck into researching routes, rail passes, hotels or when to go.

What he did know was simple:
• Japan had been on his list for years
• He didn’t want to just stay in one place
• He wanted a mix of autumn colours, hot springs and something that felt more local and authentic

Everything else, he was happy for me to take care of.

From that starting point, we built a smooth, multi stop itinerary that follows the autumn colours across Japan.

The Brief: Autumn, Onsens and Variety Without the Stress

When we first spoke, Mark’s wishlist looked something like this:

• Timing: autumn, ideally when the red and gold foliage is at its best
• Experiences:

• Time in a big, lively city
• A proper onsen stay
• Monkeys and mountain scenery
• Temples, gardens and older districts
• Great food, from casual spots to local favourites

Style:

• Boutique, characterful hotels rather than big chain properties
• One or two traditional ryokan stays
• Walkable locations with easy transport links      

Reality:

• Very little time to research
• Wanted everything to feel seamless and easy once he arrived

He’d also come across a great tip himself, using Nara as a base instead of staying right in Kyoto, which we kept as part of the plan.

From there, my role was to shape it all into something that actually works: the right places, in the right order, at the right time of year.

The Route: Following Autumn Through Japan

Rather than a single city stay, we mapped out a journey that gradually moves through very different parts of Japan.

I recommended mid to late November, which typically gives:
• Cooler, comfortable weather
• Crisp evenings, perfect for onsen
• A strong chance of autumn colour, especially around Kyoto and Nara

The route we built was:
Tokyo → Hakone / Mt Fuji → Nagano → Kanazawa → Nara (for Kyoto and Osaka)

This allows the trip to flow naturally, starting in Tokyo and finishing where the autumn colours tend to peak later in the season.

Tokyo: Easing Into It

Tokyo is the ideal starting point. It’s easy to arrive into and gives that immediate sense of being somewhere completely different.

For Mark, I focused on:
• A central, well connected base
• A smaller, high quality hotel with a calm feel
• Easy access to neighbourhoods, food spots and a few key sights

It’s really about settling in, adjusting to the time difference and getting a feel for the country before moving on.

Hakone / Mt Fuji: Slowing Things Down

From Tokyo, the pace shifts.

Hakone and the Mt Fuji area bring a completely different feel, quieter, more scenic, and centred around traditional hospitality.

Here, the focus was a ryokan or onsen stay with:
• A beautiful bath setup, ideally private or in-room
• Excellent food, especially seasonal dinners
• A relaxed atmosphere

This part of the trip is intentionally slower. It’s about soaking in hot springs, enjoying the setting and not trying to do too much.

Nagano: Mountains and Snow Monkeys

Next, we head further into the mountains.

Nagano offers:
• Cooler air and a more rugged landscape
• Forests and valleys in late autumn colour
• The chance to see the famous snow monkeys

The idea here was somewhere cosy and traditional, with time to explore and then come back to warm up in an onsen.

For clients who want something a bit different, this often ends up being a real highlight.

Kanazawa: Culture Without the Crowds

From the mountains, the trip continues to Kanazawa.

It’s a brilliant stop for:
• Beautiful gardens
• Historic districts
• A strong sense of local culture

For Mark, this meant:
• A hotel in a walkable area
• Time to explore at his own pace
• Good food and a slightly slower rhythm again

It adds another layer to the trip without feeling overwhelming.

Nara: A Smarter Base for Kyoto and Osaka

Rather than staying in Kyoto itself, we used Nara as the final base.

It works really well because:
• Nara is calmer, greener and less hectic
• You still have easy access to both Kyoto and Osaka
• It gives you a more relaxed place to come back to at the end of the day

From here, Mark can:
• Spend days exploring Kyoto’s temples and gardens
• Head into Osaka for food and nightlife
• Or just take it easy and enjoy Nara itself

It also gives him the best chance of catching peak autumn colour at the end of the trip.

Making It Easy

What Mark didn’t want was to spend weeks comparing options or second guessing decisions.

Behind the scenes, this type of trip involves:
• Getting the route right for the season
• Matching each stop with the right type of stay
• Making sure travel between places is smooth
• Keeping the pace realistic

For him, that meant everything was joined up and ready to go.

All he needed to do was:
• Confirm dates
• Approve the plan
• Pack and enjoy his fully tailored adventure

Could This Work for You?

If you’re short on time but still want to do a destination properly, a trip like this works incredibly well.

Japan especially rewards moving around, but only if it’s planned carefully.

If it’s somewhere you’ve been dreaming about, and you want it done in a way that feels easy, personal and well thought through, I’m always happy to help you shape it into something that actually works.

Jessica.cullen@travelcounsellors.com

07514369905 / 01244 490002