This document provides an overview and itinerary for a small group tour of Japan from October 20th to November 6th 2022 focusing on autumn leaves, the Japanese Alps, and ancient roads. The tour will visit major cities like Tokyo, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto and see highlights like Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Kamikochi in the Japanese Alps, Shirakawa-go, and many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Along the way, participants can experience Japanese culture through activities like origami in Matsumoto, wasabi farming, and entertainment by geiko and maiko in Kyoto. Over 100 beautiful photos are included to showcase the sights and

1. Welcome to Experience
Japan’s “Autumn Leaves,
Alps & Ancient Roads”
Small Group Tour
20th October – 6th November 2022
Photos courtesy : Jan Hutton, Margaret Armstrong
All photos © Kiku Consulting 2022

2. Hozomon Gate – Entrance to Sensoji Temple Asakusa - Tokyo

3. View over Nakimise Street from Asakusa Tourist Building Viewing floor

4. Food Vendor at Ameyocho Markets - Tokyo

5. Colourful Jizo statues
at Zojoji Temple –
Tokyo

6. Cleaners waiting to board Shinkansen - Tokyo

7. Interior of carriage on Shinkansen

8. Old Notice Board at Magome – Kiso Valley

9. Old Buildings of Magome – Kiso Valley

10. Signage on walk from
Magome to Tsumago

11. Autumn colours on the Nakasendo Trail Kiso Valley

12. Tsumago – Post Station Town
– Kiso Valley

13. Post town of Tsumago – Nakasendo Trail

14. Tsumago – Kiso Valley

15. Post town of Narai – (Town of 1000 houses) Nakasendo Trail - Kiso Valley

16. Water wheel at Daio Wasabi Farm - Matsumoto

17. Daio Wasabi Farm - Matsumoto

18. Wasabi Farming –
Daio Wasabi Farm
Matsumoto

19. Working with Wasabi – Daio Wasabi Farm - Matsumoto

20. Matsumoto Castle

21. Autumn colours in Matsumoto

22. Origami –
“Little Paper Shop “
Matsumoto”

23. Origami - “The Little Paper Shop Matsumoto”

24. Baby macaque monkey – Jigokudani (Hell Valley) Yudanaka- Japan Alps

25. Macaque mother and newborn – Jigokudani (Hell Valley) Yudanaka – Japan Alps

26. Boardwalk track - Kamikochi

27. Beautiful Kamikochi

28. Kappa Bridge
at Kamikochi

29. Old Streets of Takayama

30. Large Torii Gate - Takayama

31. Local Identity - Takayama

32. Stunning autumn colours – Hida-no-sato in Takayama

33. “Fire Brigade” at Hida-No-Sato in Takayama

34. Takayama Kaikan (Float Museum)

35. “Nikko-Kan” Miniature Model Museum Takayama

36. A Must Visit in Takayama

37. Now that is a Hamburger - Takayama

38. “The Great Ginkgo
Kokunbun-ji tree” of
Takayama It is estimated
to be 1200 years old, a
circumference of about
10 meters and its height
around 28 meters. Stunning
in autumn.

39. UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawa-go

40. UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawa-go

41. Making Washi Paper in UNESCO World Heritage Gokayama

42. Working with gold leaf - Kanazawa

43. Screen display at
Gold/Silver shop
Kanazawa

44. Showroom at Gold/Silver Shop - Kanazawa

45. Kenroku-en Gardens - Kanazawa

46. Kenroku-en Gardens - Kanazawa

47. Samurai District - Kanazawa

48. Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District - Kanazawa

49. Instruments in Geisha House - Kanazawa

50. The pine covered sand bar of Amanohashidate – it is ranked amongst Japan’s three most scenic views

51. Chair lift to
Kasamatsu Park for
views over
Amanohashidate
Sandbar.

52. The traditional way to view Amanohashidate Sandbar is to turn your back towards the bay, bend
over and look at from between your legs. The name Amanohashidate means “Bridge to Heaven”.

53. History of INE – regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan

54. Traditional Funaya houses in the beautiful fishing village of INE

55. Close-up of traditional Funaya houses of INE

56. Traditional Funaya Houses of INE

57. Fishing village of INE

58. Karamon Gate – Entrance to UNESCO World Heritage Nijo Castle – Kyoto

59. Beautiful detail – Karamon Gate – Nijo Castle Kyoto

60. UNESCO World Heritage Kinkaku-ji….Golden Pavilion…Kyoto

61. Romon Gate – Entrance to Fushimi-Inari Shrine

62. Guardian fox – Fushimi Inari Shrine – Kyoto

63. Entertainment by Geiko & Maiko – Tomikiku Tea House - Kyoto

64. UNESCO World Heritage “Ginkaku-ji” Kyoto…

65. Sand Garden at UNESCO World Heritage Ginkakuji Temple - Kyoto

66. UNESCO World Heritage Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

67. Sannenzaka Slope – Kiyomizu - Kyoto

68. Torii Gate leading to Heian Shrine - Kyoto

69. We hope you have enjoyed our presentation
Sayonara
Kamo River Kyoto at sunset