AUTUMN LEAVES (KOUYOU) IN JAPAN

Autumn leaves in Osaka

The viewing of Autumn leaves (Kouyou.....meaning Red leaves in Japanese) is a popular activity that the Japanese enjoyed for centuries. Today it became an international event, where a large number of tourist are drawn to famous kouyou spots in and around Japan. As fall sweeps across Japan, starting in Hokkaido in mid September slowly moving southwards reaching central and southern Japan in early November. The leaves turning into a brilliant shade of red, orange and yellow with a few species remain the same shade of green all throughout the year.

My favourite Kouyou spots are Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. The traditional architectural buildings and the temples of Nara and Kyoto gives out a spectacular surreal beauty. In the Japanese gardens of Nara, the man made ponds and lakes reflect the vibrant colors that makes one feel as though they are engulf in a sea of red, orange and yellow. The contrast is just too beautiful, with deers walking around freely one should believe that its the closest thing to heaven.

Kinkakuji (kyoto) is a must in Autumn, the gold structure against the red, orange and yellow leaves are just too beautiful to be true. I can spend hours just gazing at the beautiful picture right in front of me. I can see myself in Kimono in one of the traditional Japanese hotels drinking tea outside on the terrace and pretend to be a geisha. Autumn leaves in Kyoto takes you back in time when there are no high rise buildings, congested areas and railways the only distraction are the sound of hooves and samurais practising for war fare.

Kobe's Mount Roko is another great kouyou spot, to me its like Tokyo's mount Takao but with a better view, cable cars and less crowded. The sightseeing actually starts from the station, taking a bus up the first mountain then onto the cable car.  The platform on top of Mount Roko offers an amazing view of Kobe city and Osaka city including the Kansai airport. From there you can take a bus that goes around the mountain or retrace your steps back to the station.

Inside of Tokyo, the shinjuku gyoen garden looses out on popularity  to Rikugien garden when it comes to Autumn leaves. Rikugien is a large Japanese garden in the northern suburbs of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku. A short walk from komagome station along the JR line with an admission fee of 300 yen. 

Mount Takao is the closest mountain to Tokyo city, its 30 minutes by train from shinjuku. Another popular kouyou spots for couples who are courting, families and friends thus its always crowded during the weekends. At the summit, the view is beautiful on a clear day. Hiking the mountain is not a bad Idea but the leaves are most beautiful from the cable car. 

For those who have the time, there are other great places outside of Tokyo, Hakone, Nikko and the foot of mount Fuji. Takes less than 2 hours by bus or by the express trains. 

If you cant make your way to these places then do not despair, Yoyogi park is still an option. For the rest I'm sure your neighborhood have something or look out for the pamphlets the travel agents put out on the racks outside their offices,just to get more Ideas on where to go. 

And if you are thinking of going for Autumn leaf viewing, it starts this weekend til the first week of December for Tokyo and Kyoto (Nara and Kobe included).    

Happy Autumn leave viewing people!!!!