This is another favorite season of the Japanese. The one we spy as soon as the temperature drops, our noses in the air, looking for the first crimson flecks on the foliage, the first signs of an outbreak. What?, the term for the reddening of tree leaves in autumn, blooms from November to the first days of December on the main island of Honshu, Japan’s largest. Kings, ruby maples and golden ginkgos brighten the season’s rare gray days. Parks and hiking spots are true pilgrimages at this time of year to celebrate the ephemeral, which has the advantage of being less fleeting than when the cherry blossoms are in spring. Here’s where to enjoy those heart-purple bonfires.
Mount Takao, near Tokyo
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Located less than an hour’s train ride west of Tokyo, the sacred mountain attracts as many pilgrims as local enthusiasts for affordable hikes. You will meet them well-fed, come autumn, when the mountain is decorated with a beautiful brown robe. Leaving the station from the work of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, take the first road, the Pilgrim’s Way, to take advantage of its gentle slopes, where the red maple leaves rest to feed the seagrass beds. To shorten your stride, hop on a chairlift for a short ride. Arriving at the top offers beautiful views of Mount Fuji overlooking the colorful hills of the Kanto region. Descending, an alley of centuries-old cedars leads to a beautiful temple dedicated to the deity of the mountain. It dango (a skewer of glutinous rice balls) written not far from there is a preferred snack before returning to the bitumen.
- Getting there
From Tokyo Shinjuku Station, take the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station (about 50 minutes)
Okochi Sanso Park, near Kyoto
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The former imperial capital abounds in gardens that rival each other in beauty in autumn. Located atop Arashiyama, at the exit of the bamboo forest that makes this district in northwest Kyoto famous, Okochi Sanso Park is unique; the property was once owned by the Japanese actor Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962), a star of samurai films, who dedicated a portion of his fortune to building and maintaining the estate. He built a villa there in the heart of a park-promenade with a remarkable setting (the influence of the owner’s talents?). Its narrow stone path weaves its way through pines and maples, plunges into densely wooded areas that look like an untamed forest, and leads to the top of the hill. Suddenly, the view of Kyoto was magnificent, the city seemed to float above the many blonde maples. But the real fall will not happen until a little later. behind a curtain of foliage, the surrounding mountains planted with cypresses rise spectacularly across the valley.
- Getting there
The park is a 15-minute walk from Arashiyama Station (about 30 minutes by train from Kyoto Station). Open from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission: 1,000 yen (about 7 euros) and includes matcha and Japanese sweets.
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa
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It is in autumn, when the interwoven foliage displays its most beautiful palette, from mustard yellow to carmine red through pumpkin orange, that this magnificent garden’s reputation as one of the three most beautiful in the country makes sense. . Perched high above Kanazawa, a feudal city on the Sea of Japan nicknamed “Little Kyoto,” Kenroku-en is a jewel once patronized by the Maeda clan, a powerful samurai family that ruled the region and encouraged development. Art. Established during the Edo period (1603-1868), it was designed to match the characteristics of a perfect garden in the Chinese tradition, giving the illusion of a natural landscape. The central element of the composition, the artificial pond is found under infinite perspectives, where the sparkling Momijimaples with dark red leaves.
- Getting there
It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Kanazawa by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station.
The shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone
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Famous for its healing waters and panoramic views of Mount Fuji, this spa resort close to the capital is a particularly popular nature destination. However, there are many places away from the crowds where you can calmly watch the waves of Lake Ashi surrounded by majestic mountains. Don’t miss the ascent of the Hakone Volcanic Valley by gondola, but once you’re down, forget the trip on the mismatched pirate ship and instead walk along the coast, descending to the south. After passing a row of wooden pontoons shared by fishermen and pedal boat rental companies, climb a little to the left and take a hiking trail that winds through the forest. The walk, which overlooks the lake, is part of a therapeutic trail certified by the Forest Therapy Society, which promotes the benefits of forest bathing, a Japanese invention.
- Getting there
Reach Togendai Station by cable car from Suzan, the terminus of the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, which takes off from Gora Station.
Kiso Valley near Nagano
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Nestled in the Japanese Alps, the Kiso Valley in southwestern Nagano Prefecture promises sumptuous hiking through the dense forests of cedars and cypresses that inhabit the area. The steep mountain slopes turn colorful in early November and provide the perfect backdrop for walking the historic Nakasendo Road, the route that once connected Kyoto to Edo, the old name for Tokyo. The most beautiful sections of this approximately 500 kilometer trail are located in the region and still include paved sections, adding to the scenic nature of the walk. In this season, the orange hues of the surrounding mountains blend perfectly with the brown facades of the eleven relay towns in the valley. Autumn admires on the way. also eat. It kurikintonLocal delicacies made with fresh chestnut puree, which can be bought in one of the beautiful shops in the villages of Tsumago or Magome, can be tasted face to face with the mountains.
- Getting there
From Nagoya (about 1h30 by Shinkansen from Tokyo), take the Shinano Line to Nakatsugawa (about 1 hour). From there, buses reach Nakasendo relay towns such as Magome or Tsumago.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.