In Japan, autumn is a celebration of color. The centuries-old tradition of momiji-gari, or “red leaf hunting,” invites reflection and reverence as temple gardens, mountain landscapes, and ancient cities glow in luminous shades of scarlet, amber, and gold. Maples blaze against dark cedar forests, moss gardens deepen in color, and every carefully composed vista feels heightened by the season’s clarity. This thoughtfully designed American Horticultural Society journey blends Japan’s most revered gardens with rare cultural experiences that illuminate the philosophy behind them.

Experience:

Tokyo’s annual Chrysanthemum Exhibition, where intricate displays honor the flower long associated with the Imperial family and the spirit of autumn
Shunkaen Bonsai Museum and Rikugien Garden, where classical landscape design frames brilliant seasonal color
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, admired for its harmonious balance of water, stone, trees, and open space
Zen meditation at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto, where maple trees arch over reflective ponds in one of Japan’s most iconic temple settings
A hands-on ikebana workshop led by a master practitioner, exploring the disciplined artistry of Japanese flower arranging
A traditional tea ceremony that reveals the profound aesthetics of simplicity, hospitality, and seasonal awareness
A visit to an indigo-dyeing workshop preserving generations-old textile traditions
A night in a traditional ryokan inn, complete with tatami mats, kaiseki cuisine, and restorative indoor and outdoor onsen hot spring baths
Visits to a wasabi farm and tea plantation, where you’ll see firsthand how Japan’s agricultural traditions are shaped by water, terrain, and climate

Throughout your trip, you’ll stay in exceptional accommodations and travel seamlessly between dynamic Tokyo, the mountainous beauty of Nagano, the preserved Edo-era districts of Kanazawa, and the temple-filled serenity of Kyoto. For complete information visit www.ahsgardening.org