Autumn Leaves: "Japanese maple"

Arashiyama area in Kyoto, Nikko area in Tochigi and Yamakei area in Oita are known as one of the three most famous places in Japan for autumn foliage.

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Arashiyama, Kyoto

The Arashiyama（嵐山） area is home to a number of autumn leaf colouring spots, including a garden famous for its autumnal foliage, a mountain temple surrounded by nature, and a spectacular view from Togetsu Bridge（渡月橋）, one of Arashiyama's most famous scenic spots.

1. Togetsu bridge

The bridge spans the Katsura River, which runs between Sagano and Arashiyama.

The bridge was first built in the Shouwa era (834-848) by a monk named Dosho, and was named Togetsukyo Bridge after Emperor Kameyama (the "Joko" is the title of the deposed emperor), who watched the moon moving over the bridge and said, "It resembles the crossing of the moon without a bear".

The bridge in use today was completed in June 1934 and is one of Arashiyama's most popular tourist attractions. In autumn, the whole of Arashiyama turns red and yellow to show the collaboration between the bridge and the autumn colors.

In December, the bridge is lit up in the evening and at night on the Arashiyama Flower Lantern Road.

2. Tenryuji Temple

This is a prestigious Zen temple of the Rinzai sect in Kyoto. The temple is famous for its "Sogen-ike Garden," a garden with a circular strolling pond with Arashiyama, Turtle Mountain and Ogura Mountain in the background, which was created by Kaisan Muso Kokushi.

The garden surrounded by the rich nature of Saga Arashiyama with Sogen Pond in the center is like a beautiful painting. The mountains turn red during the fall foliage season and the colored leaves are reflected in the pond like a water mirror, which is very impressive.

The temple is located on the western edge of Kyoto and is known as "the first place in Kyoto to receive the first rays of sunrise", and in the latter half of November, the temple is open for early morning prayers at 7:30 a.m.

3. Okochi Sanso Teien (Saga Kokurayama)

Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962), a film actor, created this garden on the south face of Mt.

Numerous pines, cherry trees and maples add excitement to the garden, and the splendor of the bamboo grove leading to the garden is overwhelming. In addition, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Rakusai area, which is connected to the Sutsuregoka hill, which is related to the Tsurezuregusa (徒然草 an old Japanese book of essays), and the garden is praised as one of the best among the many gardens in Kyoto.

In autumn, the leaves change color beautifully and the scenery of the mountains with their reds, yellows and greens looks like a glossy Kyoto textile. Mt. Hiei and the cityscape of Kyoto can be seen from the park, and the contrast between the colored leaves and the view is outstanding!!

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Nikko, Tochigi

The Nikko area is dotted with many famous places of interest, including the World Heritage Site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and is easily accessible from central Tokyo. It is also known as one of Japan's top autumnal foliage spots, and its unique environment has nurtured a variety of natural features.

1. Iroha Slope

Many cars and motorbikes visit the Nikko Irohazaka Slope, which is selected as one of the best 100 roads in Japan, as it is a sightseeing road connecting the downtown area with Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko. Since there is an elevation difference of about 500 meters, the colors of the leaves change slightly and you can enjoy the change of color as you drive.

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and is a great place to enjoy a panoramic view of the Kanto Plain from the Akechidaira Observatory.

2. Lake Chuzenji

It is known as the highest natural lake in Japan and is located at 1,269 meters above sea level. Hangetsuzan（半月山） Observatory, from which you can get a panoramic view of Oku-Nikko, you can enjoy the view of Mount Otai（男体） and Lake Chuzenji（ 中禅寺 ）, as well as the beautiful autumn colors of Hatchodeshima（八丁出島） and the vast mountains.

Taking a cruise on a sightseeing boat and looking out over the lake with the autumn leaves reflecting on the surface of the lake is a great way to enjoy the view.

3. Kamibashi

Kamibashi（神橋） is one of the three major bridges in Japan, and is a symbol of Nikko tourism. It is located at the entrance to Mt. Nikko and is the only old bridge in Japan in the form of a drawbridge (movable bridge) that was used in the gorges between mountains.

In autumn, the bright vermilion-painted arch bridge that spans the Oya River becomes even more beautiful when the leaves change to autumn colors.

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Yabakei, Oita

Eight scenic spots are available from Ichimoku Hakkei（一目八景） of Yabakei , including Tobinosu Mountain, Gun Monkey Mountain, Mangangsaru Mountain, Married Couple Rocks, Yugo Nagao Peak, Eboshi Rock, Immortal Rock and Haebangryeong.

The red leaves look more like warm colors such as red, orange and yellow.

The fall foliage in this area is especially beautiful in this season. This is a must-visit spot for a fall foliage tour.

1. Ichimoku Hakkei

The Yamakuni River has deeply eroded the lava plateau, creating a 36 km east-west and 32 km north-south valley of oddly-shaped rocks. Confucian scholar Rai Sanyo in the late Edo period praised this landscape and named it Yabakei, in the Chinese way, as "the famous scenic spot in the world". Of the many scenic spots in Yabagei, "Eight Sights" is the best example.

There is "Ichimoku Hakkei Observatory" in the center of the shopping street, from which you can enjoy the eight sceneries of Tobinosu Mountain, Gun Saruyama, Larry Saruyama, Husband and Wife Rock, Yugo Nagao Peak, Eboshi Rock, Immortal Rock and Haibangling.

The red leaves look more like warm colors such as red, orange and yellow.

2. Keisekien

The 20,000 square meter large Japanese garden expresses the natural beauty of Yabakei. With more than 31,000 trees of 100 species planted on the grounds, you can enjoy the changing colors of the leaves in autumn, cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and winter landscape of karesansui.

Admission is free, so this is one of the must-visit spots in the Yabagei area.

3. Blue Cave Gate

The tunnel is located in a huge quay wall, "Kyeksyubong," along the Yamaguni River. The word "cave" refers to the tunnel.

This used to be a difficult route to get to the temple. However, in 1735, a monk, Zenkai, who visited the temple, and the villagers planned to dig a tunnel here. After 30 years of painstaking efforts, they succeeded in digging a tunnel through it, called the Blue Cave Gate.

It is 144 meters long and was opened in 1763. The size of the tunnel has not changed and the marks of the chisel made by the monk remain on the wall. A large ginkgo tree stands at the entrance to the downstream, and at the end of November, it turns yellow.