As much as we love our hot weather down under, we’re always looking forward to visiting somewhere with cooler temperatures. It could be a dip in the pool during a staycation or a flight up north to cooler climates, we’re always game for a change!
So it now begs the question: have you thought about taking a quick getaway before the year end festivities begin? The stunning colours of the autumn leaves in Japan will heighten your senses and take your breath away.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down our top three destinations to see autumn leaves in Japan.
1. Hoheikyo and Jozankei, Hokkaido
Hoheikyo and Jozankei are only one hour away from Sapporo city centre by car. The two places are popular amongst Japanese locals and international tourists as some of the best places to view autumn leaves in Japan. Not only is Hoheikyo an award-winning city, the area between Kappabuchi and Jozankei Futami Suspension Bridge is well-known as one of the best places for viewing autumn foliage in Japan. To indulge in its beautiful leaves of multiple hues, visitors can choose to take a stroll or hop on a cable car. If you’re feeling fancy, you can view the red foliage while enjoying the therapeutic waters of the famous Japanese hot springs.
2. Kenroku-en, Kanazawa
Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, was built in the mid 17th century by the ruling Maeda family over the period of nearly two centuries, and opened to the public in 1871. The garden covers a vast area of 90,000 sq. feet, the spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and was listed as one of the National Places of Scenic Beauty later on in 1985.
The name of the garden was derived from “Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens”, a poem written by Li Gefei, a poet from the Song Dynasty. “Kenroku” literally means the six attributes of a beautiful garden, which includes “spaciousness and seclusion; artifice and antiquity; water-courses and panoramas”. With the seasonal beauty offered by the garden — cherry blossoms in spring, rhododendrons in summer, red leaves in autumn, and yukitsuri in winter — it naturally becomes a popular place to visit all year round.
2. Mount Takau, outskirts of Tokyo
Mount Takao is one hour away from Tokyo city centre by train. When autumn season begins, the entire mountain is covered with gorgeous red foliage of different shades. Riding a gondola lift or cable car to the top of the 500m high mountain allows you to have a panorama view of the beautiful Japanese autumn scene. The more athletic visitors can opt for trekking up the mountain for a nice walk around nature. The Mount Takao autumn leaf festival from mid until late November is an event not to be missed!
