autumn in Japan

I have about 5 days to spare after a business trip to Tokyo for week of 19 November. Can you please recommend places that we can go (furthest would be Kyoto as I can depart from Kansai airport) for the extension? I would very much like to see autumn foliage along the way. Quite undecided between going to Kyoto/Osaka or just stay put in Tokyo and make day trips to nearby towns or cities. I've been to Hakone so I can skip this time round. Please help. Thank you.

Assuming that you have the time to explore Tokyo during the evenings of your business trip, you could visit Kyoto and Nara at your leisure making your way to Osaka to return from Kansai airport.

day 1 travel Tokyo - Kyoto
day 2-3 Kyoto, transport Nara
day 4 Nara, transport Osaka
day 5 Osaka, transport Kansai airport the next day

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html

I highly recommend Arashiyama during the fall. When I went (just before Nov) the leaves hadn't turned yet... but the photos I've seen of it were beautiful. One place that was spectacular were the temples in Kamakura. I took some great photos there that I can show you.
http://daiquirikee.deviantart.com/art/Kamakura-in-the-Fall-5-45065733
http://daiquirikee.deviantart.com/art/Kamakura-in-the-Fall-4-45065309
http://daiquirikee.deviantart.com/art/Kamakura-in-the-Fall-1-45063958

Great photos Miko. Where was your Kamakura-5 taken? I've been to Kamakura several times, but have not been to the room in that photo. It looks beautiful.