Japan

Autumn leaves in Japan

The land of the rising sun, it is the popular western name for Japan. An island country in East Asia, Japan located on Northwest Pacific ocean. For the last 1400 years or so, the world has referred to Japan as Nippon. It is called the Land of the Rising Sun because the sun rises first in Japan and then in any other part of the world.

Japan is a country which is perfect on its own, Tokyo is the capital of this beautiful country. I particularly fall for this country, my favorite season in Japan is Autumn. Autumn in Japan is synonymous with beautiful scenes of orange, yellow and red colored leaves. aki (秋 / あき) – the Japanese word for autumn or fall. Or "Koyo" (紅葉) refers to the autumn color of the red, orange, and yellow leaves that change color every autumn.

Like the cherry blossom during spring time, the viewing of autumn leaves has been a popular activity for centuries and today attracts more and more travelers from around the world. The best time to view the beautiful colorful leaves is from mid September to early December.

The autumn color front makes its way from the island of Hokkaido in the North down to the south of Japan. Usually, autumn colors can be seen until early December in the regions of Tokyo and Kyoto. There are so many beautiful spot to view the beautiful autumn leaves in Japan.

Lake Kawaguchiko

The Majestic Mount Fuji

Morning walk nearby Lake Kawaguchiko

Autumn leaves in lake Kawaguchiko

Red

Beautiful yellow

Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko

From late October to mid November, the region north of Mount Fuji, known as the Fuji Five Lakes region, offers some of the best opportunities to view the majestic mountain of Fuji framed by autumn colors. Lake Kawaguchiko has several popular spots on its north shore such as; The Kawaguchiko North Coast Walking Trail, the Maple Corridor, the Momiji Tunnel, and the Chureito Pagoda. The Mount Fuji framed by fall leaves could be the most iconic picture to take during the trip.

Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen garden

You can enjoy various autumn colors in Tokyo as well. In many parks and garden from late November to early December. Rikugien is famous for being one of the nicest Japanese landscapes garden in the city, with the night illuminations during the peak of the season are not to be missed. Gingko is Tokyo's official tree, it can be seen in all its glory with entire streets lined with gingko trees. The most famous one being Icho Namiki (Gingko Avenue) located in the Meiji Jingu Gaien Park.

Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kyoto

The Japan ancient capital, Kyoto, also has many beautiful autumn colors viewing spots. One of the most popular koyo places in the city is Tofukuji and Kiyomizudera temple. People come from all over the world to enjoy the colorful temple complex during autumn, with one of the main highlights being the Tsutenkyo Bridge which spans a valley of maple trees. And there are more worthwhile koyo spots around several others temple in Kyoto and around the neighborhood city of Osaka.

With such a large number of fall color viewing locations, practically anywhere you go in Japan will be nice.