Japan offers a mild climate in autumn that gives this country a special charm. The period from September to November is the best.
autumn in Japan It is really nice. The climate is not too cold and remains around 15 degrees, but the color of the leaves turns red and yellow, while the gardens and parks are covered with white chrysanthemums. After all, Japan is the land of Yakushima, the island swallowed by the forest, and in this country nature is in a true state of grace. With the same passion with which we celebrate Hanami in spring, that is, we admire the cherry blossoms, with the first cold weather we do momijigari, that is, we look for the most beautiful places to contemplate the colors of autumn.
Momijigari is a centuries-old tradition that literally means Japanese maple hunting. It begins in the south, on the island of Hokkaido at the end of September, and then tour all of Japan, following the weather and the burning of the maple trees, the momiji. As for Hanami, also in Momijigari every night you can follow the news and have a detailed report on the state of the reds, to plan trips and excursions with Japanese precision.
In Hokkaido don't miss the Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest natural park in Japan, where you can also try trekking on Mount Asahidake and doing Momijigari while the blue sky of this mountain will dazzle you. Given the harsh climate of the summits, don't forget sweaters and heavy boots. Later in the season (early to mid-October), the show also moves to lower altitudes, and you can enjoy the colors along the Ishikari River and Sounkyo Waterfall.
Another spectacular place to see Japan immersed in the picturesque autumn weather are the temples of Kyoto. Kyoto It is famous for its temples and sanctuaries, immersed in gardens carefully maintained to show a different beauty each season. During autumn, many temples are illuminated and open at night, offering an impressive spectacle. Momijigari can be admired as an enchantment at Tofuku-ji, the temple of the Rinzai Zen school, or at Yoshimine-dera. Taking herbal baths in this ancient temple is also said to have beneficial effects on neuralgia.
You can't say Japan without thinking about Mount Fuji. This mountain, symbol of the country, is a necessary and wonderful destination in autumn. Fuji, a perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone, was immortalized in the "36 Views of Mount Fuji," the engravings by the famous painter Hokusai that helped make it a National Monument. In particular, head to Lake Kawaguchiko which, thanks to the late October/mid November weather, will offer you the most beautiful views of Fuji.
If you are looking for a less touristy place, Kanazawa It is a splendid location suitable for you. Center of the island of Honshū, it is surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Hakusan National Park and the Noto Peninsula. The Kenroku-en or Garden of the Six Sublimities is an ancient private park, at the entrance to Kanazawa Castle. It is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan and can be visited at any time of the year, but the autumn weather that sets its plants on fire offers a setting that you should not miss.
Normally those who choose the island of Honshū as a destination for a trip to Japan also visit the ancient traditional villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, included on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1995. From here it will also be easy to travel to Tokyo and Kyoto , undoubtedly more famous places.
Finally, if you move to Japan in the fall, you can't miss a little gem that tourists don't know about yet. AND Oze, a national park north of the capital, where you can admire the kusamomiji, a particular autumn grass that grows in this swampy area and that, thanks to the cold weather between the end of September and mid-October, turns into a sea of grass red. , surrounded by fields and mountains still green. If you consult the official websites, you will be able to know a little in advance what stage autumn is in, where the most spectacular colors of the plants are concentrated and what weather will welcome you in Japan.
