Itinerary Reference

09:00 Gather at Shinjuku Center Building in front of Shinjuku West Exit. It is recommended to arrive 10‑15 minutes early.

09:15 Sano Service Area, 1 hour of free time for lunch and shopping.

Kobe Station, 20 minutes (from here, take the Watarase Gorge Railway and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves scenery along the way / approx. 20 minutes)

14:20 Arrive at Mizuma Station, take a bus to Takatsudo

15:00 Takatsudo Gorge, stroll around (approx. 30‑50 minutes)

17:00 Ashikaga Flower Park, enjoy the Light Garden illumination display (approx. 60‑90 minutes)

20:00 Dismissal at Shinjuku

*Itinerary may be adjusted due to traffic or weather conditions

Itinerary Highlights

Ride the Watarase Gorge Railway and enjoy the autumn leaves covering the mountains of Watarase Gorge right outside the window!

Takatsudo Gorge, illuminated by the autumn foliage in the valley, offers a stunning autumn landscape.

One million lights decorate the entire Ashikaga Flower Park, beloved by tourists from all over the world!

Itinerary Introduction

Say goodbye to the bustling city of Tokyo and embark on a healing autumn tour! This one‑day trip to the Tokyo suburbs combines retro railway maple scenery, stunning gorge autumn colours, and Japan's top light‑up night views in one line‑up. During the day, immerse yourself in the autumn maples of the mountains, and at night, encounter a dreamy festival of lights — unlocking the most beautiful dual scenery of Kanto autumn in one go, all without long‑distance travel, enjoying the relaxation and surprises of autumn travel.

The first stop of the journey is a relaxing autumn ride on the Watarase Gorge Railway. This railway, spanning Kiryu City in Gunma and Nikko City in Tochigi, winds along the valley, with retro trains slowly passing through the mountains. In autumn, the maples on both sides of the gorge are dyed in layers of red, orange, and golden yellow, welcoming passengers along the way. The train window becomes a moving picture frame, each scene a healing Japanese autumn view, different from the city scenery, fully enjoying the tranquillity and romance of the mountains.

Next, we head to the renowned autumn foliage spot in Kanto, Takatsudo Gorge, known as the "Yabakei of Kanto" and a must‑visit natural scenic spot in autumn. Clear streams flow gently through the valley, with both banks surrounded by layers of red, yellow, and green autumn maples. The maple reflections shimmer on the water, creating a delightful interplay of mountains, water, and red leaves. Strolling slowly along the valley trail, you'll be surrounded by brilliant autumn colours and fresh, invigorating air, fully experiencing the poetic grandeur of autumn mountain forests.

At dusk, we arrive at the highlight of the itinerary — the Light Garden illumination at Ashikaga Flower Park. This stunning display, ranked first in Japan's nationwide night view illumination for three consecutive years, is a top‑tier visual feast. Across a vast 94,000‑square‑metre park, over 4.5 million light bulbs are beautifully arranged, with interweaving light and shadow creating a dazzling flow of brilliance. The gentle lights outline a dreamy fairy‑tale scene, leaving behind the daytime hustle and bringing warmth and emotion.

In just one day, from the nostalgic healing of the daytime maple forest railway, to the poetic beauty of the gorge's autumn scenery, and then to the dreamy romance of the night sea of lights, everything encapsulates the essence of Kanto autumn — bringing you all the must‑see autumn experiences the Tokyo suburbs have to offer.