Visit Date: 11/27/2014 (Best viewing Time: mid November to early December)
The Icho Namiki (銀杏並木) or Ginkgo Avenue located in Meiji-jingu Gaien Park, just a short walk from Aoyama-Itchome Station, is one of the most popular autumn viewing spot in Tokyo. Around 300 meters long boulevard turns into a golden corridor which seems to transport visitors to a different world.
Continue reading Autumn 2014: Meiji-jingu Gaien Park’s Ginkgo Avenue
Visit Date: 11/17/2014 (Best viewing Time: early November to early December)
Showakinen Park (officially known as Showa Commemorative National Government Park 国営昭和記念公園) is located in Tachikawa, which is only a little over 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku station. With its about 163 hectares land area, the park includes sport fields, barbecue pits, a boating pond, pools, and different magnificent gardens that blooms at various time throughout the year.
Visitors to the park can choose to get off from several stations and we chose the Nishi-Tachikawa station as it is only less than five minutes walk to the entrance gate.
The koyo season around the park usually tends to begin earlier than most of the Tokyo parks, which starts around late October and peak either mid or late November. The colors in this entrance however is still very green, only few trees have changed color.
Maple tree with orange, green, and red leaves along the path to the park’s open field.
Continue reading Autumn 2014: A walk around Showa Kinen Park
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.
Continue reading Autumn 2014: Biking and Hiking in Karuizawa
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.
The colorful trees matches the colorful boats on the coast of Lake Kawaguchiko.
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.
Continue reading Autumn 2014: Tenjindaira & Ichinokurasawa Hike