Our love for Japan shows no signs of slowing down. Official figures reveal 437,230 Brits touched down in the Land of the Rising Sun in 2024 – more than a 25 per cent increase on 2023’s numbers. From Tokyo’s neon nightlife and incredible food scene to Kyoto’s laid-back charm and cultural sights, up to the mountain onsens, there are plenty of reasons we’re returning time and time again.
Pair our Japanese obsession with the ongoing renaissance of train travel, and you’ve got a bucket list adventure like no other. While the scenes out of Japan’s windows get notably picturesque around cherry blossom season, there’s another time we adore visiting, saving a fair amount of cash in the process – during autumn.
Noticing the vast amount of global monthly searches for ‘autumn in Japan’, the experts at JR Pass have compiled a list of the best train journeys in Japan for leaf-peeping.
Using inclusions and mentions from publications including Condé Nast Traveller and a handful of competitors, Tripadvisor reviews, social media hashtag frequency and weather data from Climate Japan, JR Pass has revealed a selection of the best autumnal adventures through the country.
Japanese train in a maple tunnelGetty Images
5. Eizan Railway, Kyoto
With 2,572 Instagram tags capturing its beauty, the Eizan Railway is clearly a favourite among leaf-peepers. Its most scenic stretch features a natural tunnel created by maple trees that arch over the track, creating a fiery display that passes in a flash as you zoom out of Tokyo.
4. Keihan Railway, Kyoto & Osaka
In fourth place is the Keihan Main Line connecting Kyoto’s Sanjō Station with Yodoyabashi Station in Osaka. Sunny skies for almost half of the autumn season allow the orange and brown hues of the landscape to reflect into carriages as the train whizzes past famous temple gardens and traditional neighbourhoods.
AloJapan.com