konagal

I'll be on a Japan tour starting the 3rd week of October and going through the first week of November. Going to Tokyo, Kyoto, hakone, Hiroshima, kamakura, takayama, and Nara. It seems like we may be a bit ahead of the peak of the autumn leaves. After the tour, I'll be traveling on my own for a week or so and one of my priorities is to see the leaves turning (I've lived in California all my life so haven't really ever seen the fall colors). Do you think I will have seen plenty of fall leaves throughout the tour or should I plan on going so someplace else afterwards? I can go anyplace and would be fine taking the train and then a local bus. Even considered renting a car but have pretty much nixed that idea. I was thinking of maybe someplace between Nagoya and Tokyo. Thoughts?

The other question I have (for right now at least!) is about staying in a ryokan as a single person. I understand that some won't consider a reservation for fewer than 2 people. For some reason we won't be staying in one on the tour and I'd like to have that experience. Thoughts about that?

TIA

someotherguy

Keep an eye on the autumn blog reports at japan-guide: http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo14/. That can help you decide when and where to go. It seems the season may be a week or so ahead of usual.

Mara

As far as a single in a ryokan, I have done that a few times - it is usually easier to get a single accommodation during the week. And there is often a supplementary charge....but it is usually worth it imo.

Craig

You may have to head north after your tour to see some color. We were there last year at the same time you are going this year. Trees were just starting to turn in Kyoto in early November. See the approximate timing by location here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_when.html

kja

I stayed at a ryokan once as a solo female traveler. I thought it WELL worth the expense. Enjoy!

konagal

As a follow up to my questions about seeing autumn leaves ---
Is there a way to get to one of the national parks by train and bus (that's actually the kind of place I meant by "rural"). Again, I can go anyplace in Japan. Just want to see a good display of autumn leaves.

And in regards to the ryokan, appreciate knowing that others have been able to do it solo. I'm not questioning the value (I know I want to do it) but rather wondering if anyone has suggestions of a nice one (not looking for budget level) that will accept solo travelers. Again, can be anyplace but I will have already been to Hakone, Takayama ( though sounds like I might want to go back there), Nara, etc.

Thanks

kja

For ryokan, check japaneseguesthouses.con -- you search by location and can see which allow solo guests, prices, reviews, etc.

For parks and how to get to them, check japan-guide.com

kja

Sorry, that should have been .com

hawaiiantraveler

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...japan-2009.cfm

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

Another I one

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-fall-2011.cfm

LuisJp

"Koyo" is quite popular in Japan as seen in http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014.html . There are many forecast cites in the net, though, I used to check this: http://weathernews.jp/koyo/ . It is in Japanese but in map presentation. Skipping to explain some button operations,
here are lists of forecasts for your tour destinations.

Red Yellow
Tokyo 12/1- 12/11-
Kyoto 12/1- 12/1-
Hakone 11/1- 10/21-
Hiroshima 11/21- 11/21-
Kamakura 11/21- 11/11-
Takayama 11/1- 11/21-
Nara 11/21- 11/11-

As you see, Hakone would have higher chance. But it depends on the actual altitude you are to climb up to.

You can enjoy Koyo either as a view at a distance or as atmosphere 360 degrees surrounding you. This preference can vary person-to-person
and the best timing is also hard to estimate.

One of the good way to tackle this kind of situation is to move as far as you can and find your best. In a sense, forget Koyo and just list up your interesting places. On the way you connect such places, you would encounter your best.

Local trains and buses cover all over Japan. You can go anywhere. Between Nagoya and Tokyo, there are Yatsugatake and Kurobe, for example. Northward of Tokyo, there is Nikko. Enjoy search around various info on the web.