Beautiful autumn leaves can be viewed in mid to late November in Mount Takao which is a popular hiking destination in Tokyo. It takes less than one hour by train to Takaosan-guchi Station from Shinjuku, and you can also take the cable car or the lift to halfway up the mountain where the Takaosan Yakuoin Temple is located. It's the best spot to see red and orange Japanese maple leaves in Mount Takao, and the leaves peak in late November. If you take a hike to the mountain's peak, Mt. Fuji can be viewed on clear days.

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• Mount Takao Guide
• Fall Foliage Spots in Tokyo
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• Japan Fall Foliage Map

Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com

The annual November Grand Sumo Tournament (Kyushu-basho) is held from November 15 - 29, 2009 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Check the ticket information and go to see exciting Japanese sumo matches in Fukuoka where you can also find many tourist attractions.

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• Top Fukuoka Tourist Attractions
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• Japanese Sumo

Photo by Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Japan's government ministries and agencies have been carrying out many events this year besides the public celebration on November 12, 2009 in Tokyo. Let's take advantage of free admission to the following tourist attractions in the coming week.

Free Admission to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden on November 12, 14, and 15 in 2009

Free Admission to 12 National Museums in Japan on November 12 in 2009

Free Admission to 12 National Government Parks in Japan on November 14 or 15 in 2009

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• National Museums in Japan
• Shinjuku Gyoen Garden Pictures
• Tokyo Imperial Palace Information
• Tokyo Imperial Palace East Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com

Many popular Christmas trees and holiday lights in Japan are illuminated from mid-November. One of the most popular Christmas trees in Tokyo is the Mikimoto Christmas Tree, which has been lightening up the holiday season in Ginza over 30 years. The 2009 Mikimoto Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is held on November 7, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. Stop by the Mikimoto Pearls main store to see the tree when you go shopping in Ginza.

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• Top Christmas Trees in Tokyo
• Holiday Lights in Tokyo
• Christmas in Japan
• Top Holiday Lights in Japan
• Christmas in Japan Pictures

The Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree (2006) Photo by Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com Inc.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor Akihito's accession to the throne. Since the enthronement ceremony was held on November 12, 1990, the public celebration takes place on November 12, 2009 in Tokyo. Although only ticket-holders are admitted to the stage ceremony starting at 3 p.m., everyone can watch other events, such as festive parades, traditional Japanese music and dance performances, and regional speciality item sales, which are held from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Kokyo Gaien (Tokyo Imperial Palace Outer Garden) area.

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View from Tokyo Imperial Palace Inner Grounds Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com

Tori-no-ichi are traditional Japanese open-air markets take place on the days of the rooster (tori-no-hi) in November according to the Chinese calendar, which fall on November 12 and 24 in 2009. There are vendors sell colorfully decorated kumade (rake shaped bamboo charms) of different sizes at the markets. People visit tori-no-ichi to pray for good luck and good business and buy charms. Check out the list of popular places for tori-no-ichi in Tokyo.

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• Popular Torinoichi in Tokyo
• Tokyo Asakusa Guide
• Tokyo Events and Festivals

Kumade Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com

A traveler to Japan needs your advice and writes, "I will be on holiday in Tokyo for about 9days and will like to check whether there are any place you would like to recommend apart from the usual tourist attractions.... Somewhere that is not too popular with the tourist which is full of the Japanese favour... " Post Your Suggestions Here

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• Top Tokyo Gardens
• Events and Festivals in Tokyo

Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu (Hakone Federal Lord's Procession) is held on November 3 in Hakone Yumoto Onsen, Kanagawa prefecture. It's a parade of about 170 people wearing historical costumes from the Edo period. The procession leaves Sounji Temple at ten in the morning and arrives at Yumoto Fujiya Hotel in the afternoon. Hakone is a popular onsen town with easy access from Tokyo. Take a day trip to see the procession and visit onsen for day use.

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• Top Hakone Tourist Attractions
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Photo Courtesy of Hakone Town Tourist Association

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is open to the public from November 1-11, 2009 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of His Majesty the Emperor's accession to the throne. Visitors don't need to obtain advance permission during this time and can see several buildings which are not normally open to the public. If you are visiting Kyoto, go into the palace from the Gishumon gate between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Read More:

• Kyoto Imperial Palace Information
• Kyoto Imperial Palace Pictures

Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show is open to the public from October 24 through November 4, 2009 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba. It displays 261 cars and motorcycles, and 39 of them make their world premieres. Visitors can participate in the test ride programs for passenger cars, motorcycles, and electricity-assisted bicycles. About one million people are expected to visit the show during the 12 days.

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• Tokyo Motor Show
• Festivals and Events in Tokyo

The 39th Tokyo Motor Show Photo by Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images