Narita Airport - Nikko - Kawagoe - nagano - kawaguchiko - hakone - Tokyo - Narita
Could someone please provide us a suggestion that which one from below I should go?
1. 30 Oct - 9 Nov, 2015
2. 6 Nov - 16 Nov, 2015
3. 13 Nov - 23 Nov, 2015I was just in Japan back in Nov 18-28, 2014. Here is what I saw:
Tokyo: Almost peaking but still lots of colors
Kyoto: Perfect timing, lots of colors especially the reds
Kawaguchiko: Near the lake and where the Autumn Festival is starting to go brown but still had some reds, yellows, and oranges.
On 5th station, it was very brown but there was snow on top of Fujisan. Makes it a nice photo.
The train ride in the morning from Shinjuku to Otsuki was awesome colors on the hills/mountain.
So since most of your itinerary is going to higher altitude locations (which means they will get the Autumn colors faster) based on last year, I would choose 6 Nov - 16 Nov, 2015 for you. However just keep in mind it is hard to tell if it is on time or not. Last year started two weeks early but then slow down just before we got there. Depends on temperature.
In case you want to check out the Autumn festival
http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/event/info_e.php?if_id=680&ca_id=3&page&sum_c... Also recommend to get your international driving permit and rent a car in Kawaguchiko. Get to Kawaguchiko early and you can do a lot.
What we did:
-5th Station
-Maple Tree Road Tunnel
-Full circle of Lake Kawaguchiko
-Drive to Lake Yamanakako for Diamond Fuji(about 3pm)
-Arakurasengen (Climb the 376 stairs almost like climbing 3776m of Fujisan and then get nice view of Fuji)
-Autumn Festival
Also recommend to have Kawaguchiko flexible if possible. Book rental car so that you can cancel without fees. Then also check local weather when your date gets closer.
We originally planning to go Kawguchiko on Nov 24 but as the date got closer we notice that it might be cloudy on Nov 24 and saw Nov 19 was Sunny. This is like 6days before we were going to fly. So we changed it to Nov 19 and it was best decision for sure. So sunny day at Kawaguchiko and it was Raining on Nov 24 in Tokyo.
Hope all this helps!
Have Fun!!