With our tours to Japan running from autumn through to spring, we see first-hand how the country’s landscape evolves into new art forms as the months go by.

The changing seasons are revered in the crunch of crimson leaves underfoot, the soft snowfall blanketing temple gardens, and the watercolour-like unfurling of the cherry blossoms. These seasonal shifts shape not just the scenery, but the very spirit of Japan. Autumn in Kyoto stuns with striking fiery hues when we visit the Kinkaku-Ji Temple.

The gold-leaf covered temple glows, vibrantly framed by the rich reds and oranges of the circling maple trees, its reflection shimmering in the tranquil pond. We also visit the Ryoanji Temple, renowned for its authentic Japanese landscaping, the autumnal hues of amber and rust casting an ardent shade over its serene Zen rock garden.

And as the summer haze disperses from the mountain top, the magical Mount Fuji is revealed in all its glory – a snow-capped sentinel rising above flame-tipped forests and golden fields. Autumn is perhaps the most poetic season to visit Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Crystalline skies offer breathtaking views during our lakeside stroll. A visit to the quaint Kubota Itchiku Art Museum showcases the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing, with stunning kimono creations that capture the natural beauty of Japan’s changing seasons.

As winter creeps in, snow begins to dust the Japanese landscape in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, as the stillness of the season takes hold.

Our 15-day Wonders of Japan tour features a visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park, just outside of Yudanaka, where the winter chill is disturbed by natural hot springs enjoyed by the Japanese macaques – or snow monkeys. These macaques regularly bathe in the thermal waters – an unusual behaviour they originally adopted from humans. In the early 1960’s, locals built a hot spring pool for their own enjoyment. A curious young macaque was the first to be found enjoying the spring, and other monkeys soon began to follow, welcoming the escape from sub-zero temperatures.

The park built a new hot spring pool specifically for the macaques shortly after, to protect both wildlife and tourism. This unique, learned ritual is a rare phenomenon – macaques elsewhere in Japan do not engage in hot spring bathing. We’ll watch on in awe as the protected primates soak in the warm waters amid a snow-topped serenity.

There’s more Japanese culture to marvel at throughout the winter season too, with ancient rituals unfolding indoors, escaping from the chill. On specific departures, we explore the traditional art of sumo wrestling. The Grand Tournament takes place in Tokyo in January and Osaka in February, where we’ll watch wrestlers perform ceremonial rituals ahead of each bout and see this ancient sport in action.

Perhaps the most iconic and celebrated symbol of the seasons in Japan is the cherry blossom bloom that takes place in spring. Our tours include a visit to the Kenroku-en gardens, one of Japan’s ‘Three Great Gardens’, where we’ll discover cherry and plum blossoms, tranquil ponds, and historic tea houses.

Spring also provides the ethereal backdrop to Himeji Castle, Japan’s most famous and wellpreserved feudal castle, basking in a scene of cherry trees in full bloom. We’ll explore Shirakawa-go, a village of traditional gasshozukuri farmhouses, where snow melts into wildflower meadows and lush rice terraces.

Japan flourishes in the spring, breathing new life into its landscapes. This season offers the perfect backdrop to experience culture at its most vibrant. Our tours immerse us in the guarded rituals and everyday life of locals – we’ll participate in sushi making, bonsai shaping, taiko drumming, or calligraphy, and discover the prime of life in Japan.

And, as the cherry blossoms fade, the country shifts into a season of fresh greenery and calm. Wisteria blooms, and temple gardens in Kyoto and Nara glow with new life. It’s a quieter, more balanced time – perfect for connecting with Japan’s timeless beauty.

Our Japan Tours
20-day The Very Best of Japan
15-days Wonders of Japan
16-days Treasures of Japan – Exclusively Solos