Autumn 2014: Biking and Hiking in Karuizawa

Visit Date: 11/02/2014 (Best viewing Time: mid October to early November)

Karuizawa is a laid-back town located at the foot of the active volcano Mt. Asama in southeastern Nagano, Japan. The town is situated on a plateau with an altitude of about 1,000 meters and surrounded by various mountains giving it a breezy and refreshing environment. It was introduced as a mountain resort by a Canadian missionary in the late 1800s.

The town offers various outdoor activities, scenic locations, shopping opportunities, and relaxing dining places. It is an ideal venue for nature as well as fashion lovers. Its lovely natural attractions provides magnificent views of fall colors and offers many sight-seeing activities.

 Pond near the Yagasaki Park, a few meters away from Karuizawa Station.

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Autumn 2014: Kawaguchiko

Visit Date: 11/01/2014 (Best viewing Time: late October to mid November)

The Fuji Five Lakes (富士五湖, Fujigoko) which consist of Yamada Lake, Saiko Lake, Motosu Lake, Motosu Lake, Shoji Lake, and Kawaguchi Lake is an arc region that lies at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji. The area provides a good spot to view Mt. Fuji from a close distance and it is also one of the best places to enjoy the autumn colors.

During our visit, the autumn colors at Lake Kawaguchiko, which is the most popular and most accessible lake, were at their peak, although still at the early stage. Red, yellow and orange trees surround the lake creating a gorgeous canvas of colors.

Autumn 2014: Kawaguchiko 01 The colorful trees matches the colorful boats on the coast of Lake Kawaguchiko.

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Autumn 2014: Tenjindaira & Ichinokurasawa Hike

Visit Date: 10/25/2014 (Best viewing Time: mid October to mid November)

Minakami (みなかみ町 Minakami-machi) is the largest and northernmost town in Gunma Prefecture and is popular for its beautiful mountains and hot springs. The area has also become prominent for its adventurous outdoor activities including white water rafting, bungee jumping, canyoning, mountain biking, and snow sports among others. It is also an outstanding destination during the autumn season as the area offers wonderful vistas of fall colors as the leaves change in the surrounding valleys.

Autumn 2014: Tenjindaira & Ichinokurasawa 01

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Hiking Mt. Jinba 陣馬山

Traveling and exploring outdoors with your child is a perfect tonic for parenting stress. But with the crowded summer destinations, fully-booked hotels, expensive Shinkansen and plane fares, there seems to be nowhere else to go. Instead, we decided to go on a hike on a lesser visited but no less impressive mountain near Tokyo.

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