Photo of the month – October 2017: autumn leaves in Japan

Location: Arashiyama, Kyoto
Photo by Mr Hirotsugu Nakagawa
Photo taken: 26Nov 2017
Access:  5 min walk from Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Station

The Togetsukyo Bridge (“Moon-Crossing Bridge”) is an iconic landmark of Saga Arashiyama in Kyoto. This 155-meter long wooden bridge over the Katsura River in front of Arashiyama Mountain, is offering incredible views and famous for its one of the best viewing spots for Cherry blossom and Autumn leaves.

Location: Dakigaeri Valley, Akita
Photo by Mr Hiroyoshi Kawana
Photo taken: 03Nov 2007
Access:  15 minutes by taxi from Kakunodate Station or 5 minutes by taxi from Kamishiro Station
* During the autumn foliage season, a free bus runs from Kakunodate Station

Dakigaeri Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Tohoku region. The valley was a rugged mountain path that people were unable to pass through unless they hug and hold each other. “Daki” means "hold (hug) and “Gaeri” means “return" in English. That was how the name Dakigaeri Valley came about.

Location: Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Photo by Mr Hiroyoshi Kawana
Photo taken: 20Nov 2010
Access:  Located next to Kenroku-en Garden. 15min. by bus from JR Kanazawa station

The castle park will stay open until 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays, days before the public holidays for the night illumination.

Location: Nikko, Tochigi
Photo by Mr Tatsuo Idezawa
Photo taken: 29Oct 2014
Access: 90min by bus from Nikko station

Yunoko Lake is a 3km round lake situated in inner Nikko (Oku-Nikko) and its next to the famous Yumoto Onsen town.

Location: Kaigakan-mae , Tokyo 
Photo by Mr Hiroyoshi Kawana
Photo taken: 20Nov 2013
Access: 10min. walk from Shinanomachi station

The Gingko Avenue in Meiji Jingu Gaien is one of the most famous sites for its beautiful autumn leaves in Tokyo. The300m-long avenue is lined with 146 Ginko tree and when it’s in peak season, you can enjoy walking through under the golden Ginko tree tunnels. The Avenue is starts from Aoyama Street to Seitoku Memorial Art Museum.

Location: Hokuto city, Yamanashi 
Photo by Mr Tatsuo Idezawa
Photo taken: 18Oct 2016
Access:  10min. by taxi from Kai Ooiszumi station or Kiyosato station and 15min walk from the parking area

The magnificent autumnal leaves in the Kawamata Valley after passing "Makiba Park" on the way to Shinshu area from Kobuchizawa in Yamanashi Prefecture. Also, can be enjoyed autumn leaves on the Higashizawa Ohashi, a red bridge over the Kawamata River Higashiizawa Valley.

Location: Higashikawa, Hokkaido 
Photo by Mr Kenta Nakamura
Photo taken: 28Oct 2017
Access:  85min. by bus from JR Asahikawa station

Its said the Asahi-dake is the first site to have the autumn leaves in Japan. The mountain is covered with a carpet of beautiful alpine plants and it has different autumn leaves from the trees.

Location: Gifu, Nagano
Photo by Mr Katsuhiro Yamaguchi
Photo taken: 10Oct 2013

3,067 meters-high Mt Ontake is an active volcano and it’s on the border between Nagano and Gifu Prefectures. This mountain is known as the sacred place for Shugendo training. Koyo starts from 8-9 station at the end of September towards to the bottom of mountain. The season lasts only a week and the mountain will be cover by snow soon after.

Location: Toyota city, Aichi
Photo by Mr Hiroyoshi Kawana
Photo taken: 28Nov 2013
Access: 60min. by bus from Yakusa station (direct bus operates only during the festival)

During the autumn leaves festival (1st November to 30th November), the park will stay open until 9pm and trees are illuminated beautifully in the evening. Best season will be mid to end of November.