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In Japan, the ancient custom of viewing cherry blossoms and autumn leaves is known as "momiji hunting." The Japanese view the leaves as a vibrant beast, akin to a luxuriantly colored beast. Once it catches the whiff of autumn, it races across Japan at an average speed of 27 kilometers per day, shrouding the narrow island nation in its shadow in just 50 days. This compels people, like hunters, to follow its trail, cameras in hand.
At the end of September, people begin to look out for "fall foliage information." Because the Japanese archipelago is long and narrow, autumn arrives in late September, with the maples first beginning to turn red in northernmost Hokkaido. As the colder air moves south, maple trees in the Kanto, Kinki, and Kyushu regions begin to take on their vibrant colors. In the central region, the leaves bloom from late October to mid-November, while in Kyushu, they don't begin to reach full bloom until early December. By early December, the leaves have all fallen, marking the so-called "fall foliage front."
The latest autumn leaves information for 2019
In 2019, the peak autumn viewing season in the high-altitude mountainous areas of northern and eastern Japan will be slightly later than in previous years. In Hokkaido, due to higher-than-usual October temperatures, the autumn viewing season in the plains will also be delayed. In the Tohoku and Kyushu regions, October temperatures are similar to previous years, so the peak autumn viewing season is expected to remain similar. However, in areas like Kanto Koshin, Tōkai, Kinki, and Chugoku, temperatures will be slightly higher than usual in November, so the autumn leaves in the plains may take a little longer to turn red.
Japan is home to many renowned fall foliage viewing spots, each with its own unique charm. Our product managers have compiled a list of 10 hidden gems for viewing the red maples. Compared to popular destinations like Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Lake Kawaguchiko, these spots are far less crowded and offer stunning scenery. For example, imagine visiting Hangzhou and everyone else is heading to West Lake, but you're heading to Maojiabu instead!
Keywords: Mount Fuji, classic
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: mid-November
This image, featured on the cover of Fujiyoshida's promotional poster, may be familiar to many, but its origin is less well-known. The photo was taken at Arakurayama Sengen Park, located in Fujiyoshida City. It's one of the most popular tourist spots for Mount Fuji. During maple leaf season, photographers, couples, and all kinds of people flock to the park to capture the breathtaking scenery, both of Mount Fuji and the crimson leaves.
There is also a new Asakurayama Sengen Shrine at the entrance of the park. The approach to the shrine is brightly lit and is also a beautiful sight.
Keywords: Nara cute things, interaction
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: early November to early December
"Deer call, feasting on wild apples." Besides the adorable deer, Nara also boasts countless crimson leaves and ginkgo trees in autumn. Amidst the vibrant hues of crimson and gold, you can vaguely see temple roofs, carefree deer, and swaying rivers. The sun gently streams down, creating a truly enchanting autumn atmosphere.
Mount Wakakusa is located near Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and is accessible to visitors in spring and autumn. During the sunny autumn days, the hillside is enlivened by the vibrant presence of adorable deer.
There are many deer here, but few tourists. The deer are not as lively as those in Nara Park, but rather shy, basking in the lazy sunshine, which is quite leisurely.
Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can overlook the small city of Nara. The perspective is unique and spectacular!
Keywords: Kumano Kodo, beautiful scenery
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: late October to early November
Nachi Falls is located in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It's considered one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, along with Kegon Falls and Fukuroda Falls. While the falls themselves are relatively small, perhaps not comparable to China's Huangguoshu Falls, the stunning backdrop of the three-story pagoda creates a truly iconic photo opportunity—the waterfall and temple complementing each other in the distance. It's a truly picturesque sight that's sure to make your visit worthwhile.
Keywords: Red Maple Lantern, Unique Water Divination
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: mid-November to late November
Most people know Kifune Shrine for its renowned ryusui somen noodles, a popular summer escape. However, few realize that this shrine, dedicated to the guardian deity of mountains, forests, and water, also boasts a stunning autumn maple scene. Ascending the steps, accompanied by crimson lacquer lanterns, you'll be greeted by falling maple leaves and the vibrant colors of autumn.
Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the god of water, offers a unique water divination practice. After drawing a fortune, a blank stick is placed in the shrine's water, and the written piece emerges. This shrine is rumored to be one of the three most effective shrines in Japan for finding a good match, and is particularly popular among women.
In the evening, the lights of your ship were lit, and the trees and pavilions on both sides of the road were reflected, making it particularly quiet and peaceful.
Kifune Shrine also boasts a rare night display of maple leaves with lanterns in Japan. The Eizan Electric Railway will turn off its lights and slow down while traveling through the red leaf tunnel. Lanterns will be lit at Kifune Shrine and nearby areas, and the light and shadows of the lanterns will dance with the maple leaves, creating a unique experience of ancient Japanese style.
Keywords: Japanese garden, beautiful
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: mid-November to early December
Rurikoin is a perfect place to visit during the autumn foliage season, which is only open for a short time each year. The garden is small, but every detail from the gate onwards is exquisite.
The biggest highlight here is of course the view of the red leaves in the garden through the windows on the second and first floors. The maple trees have graceful branches and elegant postures, and various colors penetrate each other, just like an Impressionist painting. The ground is covered with moss, stone lanterns and streams, and the artistic conception is beautiful.
Don’t leave immediately after taking photos. You can also sit down and drink tea, enjoy the maple leaves, or practice calligraphy to cultivate your character.
Keywords: Night maple, Zen between small bridges and flowing water
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: mid-November to late November
Autumn is the most captivating season at Daigo-ji Temple. The vibrant crimson leaves, the delightful crimson corridor, and the Sanbo-in Temple, all captivating visitors, are enough to captivate them. The temple courtyard, with its flowing water and small bridges, is nestled against a backdrop of verdant mountains, and its fiery red maples.
Unlike the temples and shrines in downtown Kyoto during the day, the environment here is tranquil and grand. The entrance corridor is quite long, and the sense of scale is very strong. When you reach the temple gate, you will see the red Buddhist building at the entrance, the mountains behind, and a bright moon in the sky beyond the mountains. It feels very beautiful.
There were only a few people around, and the night lighting was very good, giving off a Zen vibe.
One of the most admired autumn scenes in the world is as follows: the red and green vegetation in Linquan Garden are scattered in an orderly manner, and are reflected on the lake surface together with the orange and white Biantiantang and the orange-red bridge. Looking from the opposite bank, it is elegant and full of Zen charm.
Keywords: plateau, paradise on earth
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: mid-October to late October
Misashika Pond is known as God's overturned dyeing pan. No need to travel all the way to Hokkaido's Blue Pond. Misashika Pond, nestled at the foot of Mount Yatsugatake, is considered Japan's most beautiful natural pond. Sunlight perfectly illuminates the trees on the opposite bank, adorning the lake with vibrant colors that make you wonder if the scene before you is real.
Keywords: hot spring viewing, Initial D
Recommendation index: ★★★★☆
Best viewing period: early October to mid-October
About two hours from Tokyo lies Nikko, a charming spot hailed as a breathtaking scenery by islanders. Nikko boasts a wealth of historical and natural wonders, hot springs, and delicious cuisine, a destination that 80% of international visitors never visit. Lake Chuzenji in Nikko is a beautiful lake nestled at the foot of the sacred Nandai volcano.
Lake Chuzenji, nestled within Nikko National Park, boasts breathtakingly beautiful scenery, its vast expanse of emerald waters. Surrounding the lake is a vast expanse of pristine forest, largely untouched by human activity. The eastern end of the lake is dominated by a hot spring town and the Kegon Falls. To experience the lake at its most stunning, visit mid-October onwards, when the surrounding mountains are at their most vibrant and magnificent with vibrant red foliage.
Choosing a hot spring hotel in the hot spring town on the east side of the lake, soaking in the hot springs while appreciating the breathtaking scenery of mountains, forests and red maples is truly a great enjoyment in life!
Near the lake, there's another breathtaking view: the curve that inspired the story of "Initial D." Located in Tochigi Prefecture, near Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, there are two superb curves called Irohazaka. They're an exact replica of the manga, so check it out for all you Jay fans!
Keywords: "Window of Enlightenment", "Window of Confusion", Zen meditation and enlightenment
Recommendation index: ★★★★★
Best viewing period: mid-November to late November
There is a small Zen temple in Kita-ku, Kyoto, called Genkoan. It has very few visitors during off-peak hours and is quite quiet. It is an excellent place to meditate, seek enlightenment, and cultivate one's character.
The two most famous windows in the Zen temple are: the round window is called the "Window of Enlightenment", symbolizing the wisdom of Buddha and the enlightenment of all things in the universe; the square window is the "Window of Confusion", representing the suffering, stubbornness and inevitable death in the human world.
Sitting on the floor, the scenery from these two windows changes with the seasons, with the red leaves being the most famous. Many people travel here from far and wide just to experience firsthand the simplicity and breadth of Zen culture reflected in these two windows.
Keywords: teahouse, maple leaf tempura
Recommendation index: ★★★★★+
Best viewing period: early to late November
Jingo-ji Temple is a temple located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is the main temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. The main gate of Jingo-ji Temple has an ancient atmosphere, quite different from the bustling temples of Kyoto. Inside, it's deserted, and the grounds are paved with fine sand and gravel rather than paved stone, giving it a secluded feel.
Jingo-ji Temple is far from the city center, so it's rarely visited by tourists. If you catch the earliest bus and stroll up the mountain approach early, you'll find only a few tourists sitting in the teahouses, enjoying tea and chatting. Then, against the backdrop of vast maple forests, dotted with red paper lanterns and bright red rugs, do you want to sit down and become part of the painting?
Along the way, you can also enjoy seasonal maple leaf tempura. What? You can eat maple leaves?!
Maple leaf tempura is a famous Japanese confectionery. It is not made from fresh red leaves of the same year, but needs to be picked a year in advance, washed and placed in a wooden barrel, pickled with salt. In the autumn of the following year, it is coated with flour, sprinkled with fragrant sesame seeds, and fried. It can be enjoyed with tea. The gentle sweet fragrance has a mellow aftertaste, which is the autumn thoughts that have been accumulated for a year.
