Autumn foliage complete money guide — Kyoto / Nikko / Tohoku budget 2026
Autumn foliage complete money guide. Late October-early December koyo season is Japan's other major peak with sakura. Kyoto, Nikko, Hakone, Tohoku — lodging surges 2-3×, rental cars 1.5×. Budget ¥250,000-450,000/person/week, but with regional koyo-front timing ¥150,000-200,000 is achievable.
TL;DR — autumn foliage playbook
- Daily budget: 1.5-2× standard, ¥15,000-30,000/person/day
- Weekly total: ¥150,000-450,000
- Lodging: start 6 months ahead, confirm by 3 months out
- Koyo front tracking: Hokkaido → Tohoku → Kanto → Kansai → Kyushu
- Exchange: same rate as standard period
- Recommended cards: Wise / Revolut
- Koyo tours: Klook / VELTRA for illumination, temple special access
1. Koyo front and regions
Koyo front (2026 forecast)
- Hokkaido: late Sep-mid Oct (Daisetsuzan)
- Tohoku: mid Oct-early Nov (Oirase / Hakkoda)
- Kanto / Hokuriku: mid-late Nov (Nikko / Karuizawa / Tateyama)
- Kansai / Tokai: late Nov-early Dec (Kyoto / Arashiyama / Takayama)
- Kyushu: late Nov-mid Dec (Yabakei / Aso)
Pick one peak or chase the front
Single peak: Kyoto 11/15-25 = strongest Front chase 2 weeks: 11/1 Tohoku → 11/15 Kanto → 11/25 Kansai
2. Autumn season lodging rates
Lodging price multiplier
| Area | Standard | Autumn | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | ¥15,000-25,000 | ¥40,000-70,000 | 2.5-3x |
| Arashiyama ryokan | ¥25,000-40,000 | ¥60,000-120,000 | 2.5-3x |
| Nikko / Kinugawa | ¥15,000-25,000 | ¥30,000-55,000 | 2x |
| Hakone | ¥18,000-30,000 | ¥35,000-65,000 | 2x |
| Takayama / Shirakawago | ¥18,000-30,000 | ¥35,000-65,000 | 2x |
| Oirase / Hakkoda | ¥15,000-25,000 | ¥30,000-50,000 | 2x |
→ 6 months ahead, confirm 3 months out.
Booking sites
- Rakuten Travel — Japan's largest ryokan, Rakuten Points
- Jalan — Recruit, autumn plans abundant
- Agoda — international, English
- JTB — autumn tour packages
- AirTrip Hotel — same-day
3. Koyo spots and cash strategy
Major autumn spots + cash needed
| Spot | Location | Admission / cash |
|---|---|---|
| Tofuku-ji / Tsutenkyo | Kyoto | ¥1,000/person |
| Eikan-do | Kyoto | ¥1,000 (¥600 night) |
| Arashiyama / Jojakko-ji | Kyoto | ¥500/person |
| Kinkaku-ji | Kyoto | ¥500/person |
| Nikko / Toshogu | Tochigi | ¥1,300/person |
| Nikko / Irohazaka | Tochigi | Free, parking ¥500-1,000 |
| Oirase Gorge | Aomori | Free, bus ¥500-1,500 |
| Shirakawago / gassho | Gifu | Free, parking ¥1,000 |
| Takayama / old town | Gifu | Free |
Kyoto special access is often cash-only — prep ¥10,000 in small bills.
→ #145 Kyoto money pillar / #147 Ginza money pillar