Vol.37 Autumn Leaves, Momiji gari

Hi it's getting cooler recently. I am always excited about something in autumn.. That is... autumn leaves!!! The leaves change the colors from green to red, yellow and orange and it's so beautiful!

Today, I will write about "Autumn leaves and Japanese".

Japan has been a country in culture where we enjoy the taste of nature. Autumn leaves viewing is an indispensable yearly event for Japanese people, following Ohanami (Cherry blossom viewing) and Otsukimi (Full moon in mid-autumn viewing). Autumn leaves viewing is a well-established culture in Japan. 

So we call autumn leaves "Koyo (紅葉/こうよう)". And we call it Momiji gari (紅葉狩り/もみじがり) to go out to parks, mountains or somewhere (usually it's a day trip) to see and enjoy the beauty of the autumn leaves. 

We start to plan where and when to go for momiji gari around early November. I used to go momiji gari in Kyoto with my college friends every year and took a lot of pictures. It was a regular activity in autumn and good memory. 

In recent years, momiji gari has been so popular by inbound tourists. Especially Kyoto is very popular, so that hotels in Kyoto are always full with tourists from overseas from mid November to early December. 

This year(2020), of course, there are almost none tourists from overseas so that it might be a good chance to go and stay at such a popular hotel in Kyoto to enjoy momiji gari.  

It's beautiful not only at daytime but also at night as it is illuminated. 

This is a map showing the best timing for momiji gari in each areas in Japan. It starts from north. (Sorry I couldn't find English version but you can see the colors on the map.)

紅葉名所2023 - 紅葉名所の見頃時期がわかる！色づき・見頃情報を毎日配信|ウォーカープラス

I picked up some recommended places for momiji gari in Japan.

1. Kyoto

There are several places in Kyoto for momiji gari. With rivers, with temples and old buildings etc. Let's check it out the most popular ones.

Aarshiyama

Kiyomizu temple

Kinkakuji

2. Nagano

I just went to Kamikochi in Nagano. It is very beautiful. The colors of the leaves reflect in the pond. 

Kamikochi/ Myojin pond

Karuizawa is also a nice place for momiji gari.

Karuizawa/ Tariasen

3. In the city

It actually doesn't have to be like a trip. We can do momiji gari more easily in the city and in our neighbor. I personality love the Ginkgo trees in Rokko island! It's amazingly yellow. Find this awesome path in the island:)

Let's find our favorite spots for momiji gari!!! Happy autumn leaves!