If spring in Japan is characterized by the beauty of cherry blossoms, apricot blossoms, and plum blossoms, autumn is loved for its romantic yellow and red colors when the trees change leaves.
The 10 new destinations below are suggestions for your autumn trip to enjoy the beautiful autumn colors as well as the cool air typical of the Land of the Rising Sun.
1, Nakajima Natural Park in the heart of the city in Hokkaido province
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Nakajima Nature Park is a favorite destination for many visitors to Sapporo, Hokkaido. Within the 24-hectare campus are the historic Hohei-kan building with bold Western architecture, a traditional Japanese garden with the Hasso-an teahouse, a national cultural property, Shobui Pond and countless sculptures and monuments. Coming here in the fall, you should rent a boat at the pier, drifting down the river to watch the changing leaves reflected on the lake.
Mid-October to late October is the best time to see the trees in the park turn red, orange and yellow. Then, from late October to early November, the row of gingko trees that are over 100 years old, connecting Nakajima Park subway station to the park, turns a beautiful yellow.
2, Enjoy the majestic nature at Choro Lake at the foot of Mount Fubo, Miyagi province
On sunny autumn days, Choro Lake is like a large mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains and forests. The walking route from the Yamabiko suspension bridge to Choro Lake is the best choice for you to admire the beautiful autumn scenery from above and enjoy the cool autumn air under the canopy of the forest. Camping services by the lake or boating to enjoy the scenery are always ready to serve tourists.
Choro Lake in autumn seen from above
(Photo: ©Instagram @kuuto1469)
The golden time to see the forest changing leaves here is from late October to mid-November.
3, Bandai-Azuma Road with soft curves in Fukushima Prefecture
Beautiful route to experience autumn driving
(Photo: ©Instagram @j.lion.g)
The Bandai-Azuma route has been a hot topic on Japanese social media with the name “Japan’s Arizona” and is extremely suitable for those who want to have a scenic drive. The route stretches 28.7 km, with an average altitude of 1,350 m, so you can both admire the red and yellow leaves of autumn and “hunt clouds” easily.
As one of the earliest places to see autumn leaves in Japan, the forests along the Bandai-Azuma Highway start to change color from late September to early October. You can choose to enjoy the view from the 80m high Fudosawa Bridge overlooking the valley or enjoy the view of the Fukushima basin from the parking lot right on the bridge.
Những đường cong mềm mại của cung đường Bandai-Azuma
(Ảnh: ©Instagram @kuuto1469)
4, Những mái nhà tranh ở làng văn hoá Hida tỉnh Gifu
From JR Takayama Station, it takes only 10 minutes by bus to reach Hida Cultural Village with about 30 houses with thatched roofs and wooden panels “kure”, some of which are made in the traditional Japanese “Gassho” style. Not only is it a beautiful photo spot, Hida Village is also a place to recreate some traditional events of the four seasons. In addition, depending on the day, you can directly watch the people making straw handicrafts or artistic hand embroidery.
Every year from mid-October to mid-November, Hida Village holds a nighttime illumination event that creates a beautiful scene of an ancient village against the backdrop of autumn foliage.
5, Picturesque rows of fir trees in Shiga Prefecture
The straight road with rows of fir trees like a painting
Located on Shiga Prefectural Road 287 that runs through Makino Picland Agricultural Park, there is a row of 500 Metasequoia trees. Throughout the year, these trees attract visitors from all over the world with their fresh green buds in spring, turning into dark green foliage in summer, and turning into golden brown in autumn, then turning into giant white snowflakes in winter.
Ideal photo spots in Shiga
If you want to take pictures with this row of trees in the fall, you need to come here between late November and early December.
6, Feel the nature on the Sagano sightseeing train in Kyoto
Taking the Sagano Romantic Prepare sightseeing train is an exciting experience for visitors to explore the beauty of the four seasons of the ancient capital of Kyoto. Departing from Torokko Saga Station, the train will take visitors to enjoy the majestic natural scenery along the Hozu River for about 25 minutes. If you take the No. 5 (Wealthy) train without glass windows, you will feel the wind, natural light and listen to the sounds of the mountains and forests passing by your ears.
Autumn beauty through every train window (Photo ©Sagano Scenic Railway Co.,Ltd.)
From early November, the trees along the Sagano Scenic Railway route will begin to change color. Between October 15 and December 29, there will be an evening illumination event that will provide an unforgettable experience for visitors.
7, Japanese Garden in Daisen Park in Sakai City, Osaka
Green space in the heart of Sakai city (Photo: ©大仙公園 日本庭園 Sakai City)
Different from the famous gardens of ancient Japanese feudal lords, the Japanese garden located to the west of Daisen Park has the Chikuzanrinsenkaiyu garden style combined with traditional Japanese gardening techniques. The garden has beautiful rustic ponds, traditional wooden or stone bridges, seasonal flowers such as irises, plum blossoms…, a place for relaxation and cultural exploration for everyone. If you come here, take the time to enjoy green tea and sweets at the resort designed according to the image of the gathering place of wealthy merchants in Sakai.
Traditional beauty harmoniously combines with modern architecture (Photo: ©大仙公園 日本庭園)
The best time to experience the autumn colors at Daisen Park’s Japanese Garden is from mid to late November. On certain days in November, the garden is lit up, creating a magical scene that moves anyone who visits.
*You can check the park’s website for specific times.
8, Traditional Japanese culture at Isui Garden in Nara Prefecture
Traditional Japanese garden in Nara city
Isui Garden or Isuien is a traditional Japanese garden located in the center of Nara city. To the right of the entrance is a small pond, in the middle of the pond is an island shaped like a crane and a turtle with lanterns placed around the pond. Going deeper inside is an artificial hill garden with a small waterfall and many other miniatures that bring relaxation to visitors.
Every year around mid-November, Isuien is a famous place to see autumn leaves with heather and Japanese maple leaves. Special exhibitions are held at the Neiraku Museum of Art located in the garden, a suggestion for those who love culture and want to learn about Japan.
9, Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle in the Clouds, Okayama Prefecture
Thành Bitchu-Matsuyama với kiến trúc nguyên vẹn từ xưa (Ảnh: ©一般社団法人 高梁市観光協会)
Located at an altitude of 430m, Bitchu-Matsuyama is the only mountain castle that still has an intact watchtower to this day. The castle is also known as the “castle in the clouds” because from afar, the majestic white-painted fortress appears to be floating among the clouds, creating a special attraction for tourists from all over the world.
Ancient citadel in the sea of clouds in autumn
When autumn comes, the trees in the castle grounds turn red, adding a splash of colour to the area. Mid to late November is the best time of year to visit, as early in the morning you can see both the sea of clouds and the red and yellow of the autumn leaves.
10, 400-year-old maple tree in full bloom at Raizan Sennyo-ji Daihio-in Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture
400 days ago (©Leishan Qianru Temple Dabeiwangyuan)
Raizan Sennyo-ji Daihio-in Temple has a history of over 1,300 years and owns a national treasure, a wooden statue of Kannon from the Kamakura period. The temple is located on Mount Raizan – known as a place to pray for safe childbirth, raising children, good luck and warding off evil spirits. When you step into the temple, the first thing you see is a beautiful Japanese garden with a 400-year-old maple tree designated as a natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture.
The king of the valley (©Shingon sect Daikokuji sect, Qianru Temple, Dabeiwangyuan)
In the temple grounds there are about 200 large and small trees that will change color in autumn. The best time to see the maple trees in the temple is from early November to late November, however this may change due to weather and other factors during the year.
The story begins (©The Great Compassion King Temple of the Shingon sect of Daikokuji)
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