Spring may bring Japan’s famous cherry blossoms and winter its snow-draped landscapes, but autumn transforms the country into a masterpiece of colour. As temperatures cool, Japan’s hillsides, rivers, and forests turn into a symphony of amber, crimson, and gold, offering a visual spectacle that feels both timeless and fleeting.
When it comes to viewing autumn foliage, most travellers head to castle gardens, temple grounds, or mountain parks. Yet, one of the most enchanting ways to experience the season is from the window of a train. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks, the crisp air, and the sight of scarlet leaves reflected on quiet rivers create a uniquely serene journey through Japan’s aki (autumn).
Autumn in Japan unfolds from September to November, with peak colours sweeping gradually from north to south. As the season deepens, each region dons its fiery hues in turn. From nostalgic steam locomotives to scenic mountain routes, these seven train journeys offer a moving canvas of Japan’s most dazzling season.
1. Oigawa Railway, Shizuoka
Boarding the Oigawa Railway feels like stepping back in time. Steam engines whistle through the mountains of Shizuoka, tracing the Oi River as it winds through deep valleys brushed in gold and red. The plume of smoke rising against a backdrop of glowing foliage creates a scene so cinematic it’s hard to believe it’s real.
2. Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto
Few rides capture the poetry of autumn like Kyoto’s Sagano Romantic Train. The 25-minute journey from Arashiyama to Kameoka runs along the Hozugawa River, where fiery maples and golden ginkgo trees form a natural tunnel of colour. Open carriages let the wind carry the scent of fallen leaves, and every curve reveals a new burst of beauty.
3. Tadami Line, Fukushima and Niigata
If you’ve ever wondered where Japan hides its untouched landscapes, the Tadami Line is the answer. Winding through misty mountains, quiet villages, and sweeping bridges, this rural route offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. In autumn, the reflection of crimson trees on the Tadami River looks like an oil painting come alive.
4. Keihan Railway, Kyoto & Osaka
For those travelling between Kyoto and Osaka, the Keihan Railway isn’t just a practical route — it’s a hidden autumn escape. The tracks cut through tree-lined avenues and temple districts where maples and ginkgos burst into colour. It’s a reminder that even an everyday journey can feel like a seasonal celebration.
5. Kurobe Gorge Railway, Toyama
Carved deep within the Northern Japan Alps, the Kurobe Gorge Railway is a spectacular open-air train that feels like an adventure through a painting. The route crosses dizzying bridges and hugs cliffside tracks as the Kurobe River glimmers below in shades of sapphire and silver. By late October, the surrounding forest turns into a sea of gold and scarlet.
6. Watarase Keikoku Railway, Gunma & Tochigi
If you prefer a quieter kind of beauty, the Watarase Keikoku Railway is the perfect choice. This quaint countryside line follows the Watarase River through small towns and forested valleys brushed with autumn hues. Its slower pace invites you to simply look, breathe, and be — a moving meditation through Japan’s rural heartland.
7. Eizan Railway, Kyoto
Kyoto’s Eizan Electric Railway offers one of Japan’s most charming short rides — a journey from Demachiyanagi to Kurama that’s just long enough to fall under autumn’s spell. Near Ichihara Station lies the famous “Maple Tunnel,” where the train slows down so passengers can marvel at the crimson canopy arching over the tracks.
Autumn in Japan has a way of turning every journey into poetry. On these train rides, the landscapes do the talking — rivers shimmer in copper tones, forests ripple with red and gold, and distant mountains blush under the soft autumn sun.
Whether you’re tracing the curves of Kyoto’s rivers or gliding through Toyama’s highlands, these magical train rides prove that sometimes the best way to experience Japan’s beauty is simply to sit back, watch the world unfold, and let the season carry you away.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
