November Foliage Road Trip: A 5-Day Campervan Itinerary Through Japan’s Autumn Landscapes

Start your journey by picking up your campervan in Tokyo, which makes a great starting point for your journey. If you’re looking for campervan rental, Tokyo offers plenty of great rental options. Once you’ve got your wheels, start heading west to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes and a top autumn destination. In mid-to-late November, the area is ablaze with colour, especially during the Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, held near the Momiji Corridor (Momiji Kairo). This walking path lined with crimson maple trees is breathtaking at dusk, when the trees are illuminated.

You’ll have the perfect opportunity to snap postcard-perfect photos of Mt. Fuji rising behind a wall of red and orange trees, then settle in for the night at a nearby rest area or RV park. Many allow overnight parking and offer access to public baths. Lake Kawaguchi has designated RV spots and several Michi-no-Eki nearby, making it a campervan-friendly base with easy access to convenience stores and hot springs.

Depart Lake Kawaguchi early and enjoy a scenic drive north to Kiso Valley, a charming region nestled in the Japanese Alps. Home to preserved Edo-period post towns like Magome and Tsumago-juku, this area offers the perfect blend of vibrant foliage and historic ambience.

Mid-November is peak season here, especially around the Kiso River, where maples and beech trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. Hike a stretch of the Nakasendo Trail, the old samurai road, and experience Japan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in one. Michi-no-Eki Kiso-Fukushima offers free parking, toilets, and local produce, making it perfect for an overnight stop.

From here, go deeper into Tohoku, one of Japan’s most underrated autumn destinations. Your target is Naruko Gorge in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the region’s most dramatic fall foliage sites. The drive itself is spectacular, especially along National Route 47, with mountains blanketed in colour.

Arrive by afternoon and explore the gorge via the Ofukazawa Walking Trail, where you’ll cross bridges and lookouts offering panoramic views of the canyon’s fiery cliffs. The foliage here usually peaks in early to mid-November but can linger into late November depending on elevation. Make sure to check weather forecasts, because snow accumulation and ice has also occurred towards the end of November.

Stay nearby in Naruko Onsen, where some public parking areas and ryokan allow overnight campervan stays (ask in advance). Don’t miss a soak in the local sulphur hot springs, which can be a welcome treat after the long drive and hikes.

Next, head south toward Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture, a peaceful lake surrounded by mountains and forests rich in late-autumn colour. On clear days, the water mirrors nearby Mount Bandai, and the quiet atmosphere contrasts beautifully with more touristed destinations.

For a change of pace, you can stop by Tenkyōkaku, an old imperial villa with surrounding gardens that shine with yellow and red foliage in November. Nearby forests and hiking trails offer a serene environment for leaf peeping without the crowds. The area has a few Michi-no-Eki with overnight facilities and nearby onsens. Weather can be cooler here, so check ahead for campground closures if you prefer outdoor sites.

Wrap up your trip with a leisurely return to Tokyo. To break up the drive, consider stopping in the Nasu Highlands (if you’re okay with a short detour), where late-season foliage may still be visible in mid-altitude areas. Or, for something cultural and calming, swing through Mashiko, a quiet pottery town in Tochigi Prefecture known for traditional kilns and charming countryside roads.

Return your campervan in the late afternoon, ideally before dark. After five days of chasing colours, countryside culture, and mountain serenity, you’ll have experienced a quieter, deeper side of Japan’s most photogenic season.