The Appeal of Japan's Fall Foliage and How the Japanese Enjoy It

The first is the rich variety of colors.
Countries where fall foliage can be seen are relatively rare worldwide, with displays largely limited to coastal East Asia, the United States, and parts of Europe.
The way leaves change color also varies with elevation. Because Japan has so many mountains, visitors can see beautiful gradations of color extending from the peaks to the foothills.

Another reason Japan's fall foliage attracts so many people is the variety of scenery it creates.
There are countless settings in which to appreciate the changing leaves, including mountains and valleys covered in color, temple and shrine grounds framed by foliage, lakeshores surrounded by colorful trees, and open-air baths overlooking autumn landscapes.

Momiji maples, whose leaves turn deep red, are among the trees most closely associated with fall foliage in Japan.
Some momiji leaves turn yellow, but most become deep red.
Momiji is not actually a separate species but belongs to the maple family. Japan is the only country that commonly distinguishes between momiji and kaede maples.
Although there is no strict definition, maples with deeply cut leaves are generally called momiji, while those with shallower indentations are called kaede.

Ginkgo leaves turn a beautiful yellow and may even appear golden depending on how the sunlight strikes them.
Because ginkgo trees grow quickly and are highly resistant to air pollution and cold weather, they are often planted along streets and in parks.
As a result, ginkgo trees can be seen at many famous fall foliage destinations in Tokyo.

Cherry trees such as Somei-Yoshino are strongly associated with their spring blossoms, but their leaves also change color in the fall.
Leaves exposed to sunlight turn red, while those receiving less sunlight become orange or yellow. Some individual trees display all three colors at once.

It is said that aristocrats began the custom of momijigari between the Nara period (710–794) and the Heian period (794–1185).
It was originally a pastime of the upper classes. Aristocrats visited mountains and valleys to see the foliage, ate food and drank sake while admiring the leaves, and composed waka poetry.
Ordinary people began enjoying fall foliage during the Edo period (1603–1868). Much like today, they reportedly visited scenic foliage destinations away from crowds and urban areas.
Famous foliage destinations were even featured in Edo Meisho Hanagoyomi, a sightseeing guide from the Edo period.

Today, any outing to see fall foliage may be called momijigari, but the term originally referred specifically to visiting mountains and valleys to admire the colorful leaves. The word kari means hunting or capturing animals, so why did it become associated with viewing foliage? There are several theories about its origin.
Aristocrats during the Heian period considered walking to be undignified and usually traveled in ox-drawn carriages.
Because viewing foliage required them to walk through mountains and valleys, one theory suggests that they described the activity as “hunting” rather than simply “walking.”
Another theory holds that Heian-period aristocrats collected colorful leaves in their hands and admired them, leading to the use of the word kari, or “hunting.”

Another theory behind the origin of momijigari is the Legend of Momiji, in which a beautiful woman becomes a demon.
The legend also inspired a kabuki and Noh play titled Momijigari.
Versions of the story have been passed down in different regions and vary in their details, but all feature a woman named Momiji who becomes a demon and is defeated by a warrior.
In the kabuki and Noh versions of Momijigari, a character who goes out to view the fall foliage encounters a group of beautiful women who turn out to be demons.
The legend is associated with places such as Togakushi and Bessho Onsen in Nagano Prefecture. When viewing the foliage in Nagano, it may be interesting to recall the local tales of demons said to have once lived there.

Because forests cover two-thirds of Japan's land area, many of the country's famous foliage destinations are found in mountains and valleys.
Viewing the colorful leaves while hiking or mountain climbing is therefore one of the most popular ways to enjoy them.
Hiking offers many different foliage experiences, from admiring the leaves in a peaceful setting away from the crowds to taking in expansive mountainsides covered in color and beautiful gradations of red, orange, and yellow.
Mt. Takao in Tokyo is particularly famous for fall foliage hikes.
Its elevation is relatively modest, and it has well-maintained trails, a cable car, and a chairlift. This makes it a popular destination among visitors from Japan and abroad who want an accessible hiking experience.
Many other destinations combine hiking and fall foliage, including Kamikochi in Nagano and Korankei Gorge in Aichi.

At valleys and lakes known for beautiful fall foliage, visitors often participate in activities such as kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
The foliage viewed from the water has a different atmosphere from the scenery seen on land.
Lake Towada in Aomori and Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi are famous foliage destinations offering spectacular views from kayaks and canoes.
Less conventional options include paragliding for panoramic views from the sky and Segway tours that allow visitors to explore foliage destinations without walking.
Kayaking or canoeing is a good place to start.

Deciduous broadleaf trees are often planted on the grounds of Japanese temples and shrines, creating landscapes where colorful leaves blend with historic architecture in the fall.
For this reason, many people visit temples and shrines specifically to see the foliage.
Walking through the solemn grounds while admiring the leaves offers an experience rich in Japanese atmosphere.
Temples and shrines known for fall foliage can be found throughout Japan, but Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kodai-ji Temple in Kyoto and Chuson-ji Temple in Iwate are especially famous.
After exploring mountains and valleys draped in fall colors, consider visiting some shrines and temples as well.

Castles, shrines, temples, and Japanese gardens known for fall foliage often hold nighttime illuminations.
Historic buildings and colorful leaves lit from below create an elegant, dreamlike atmosphere.
The scenery can look completely different from the same location during the day, making it worthwhile to compare the daytime and nighttime views.

Visiting after the peak foliage season, when the leaves have begun to fall, is another way Japanese people enjoy the season.
Fallen momiji leaves create a deep-red carpet, while ginkgo leaves cover the ground in golden yellow.
Walking through mountains blanketed in red or yellow leaves is another memorable way to appreciate the fall foliage.

Relaxing in a hot spring while admiring the colorful leaves is a luxurious experience found in Japan.
Some traditional hot spring inns have open-air baths overlooking mountains and valleys covered in fall foliage, so consider seeking one out.
In addition to shared bathing facilities, some guest rooms have their own open-air baths, allowing you to relax in private while taking in the foliage.
Jozankei Onsen in Hokkaido is a hot spring resort also known as a famous fall foliage destination.
Complete your fall itinerary with the combination of colorful leaves and an open-air bath.

Pacific saury, or sanma, is one of the first fish that comes to mind for many Japanese people when they think of fall foods. It is in season from September to October.
It is known not only for its flavor but also for its nutritional value.
The classic preparation is simply grilling it with salt, but it is also delicious as kabayaki-style grilled saury, mixed into rice, or marinated nanbanzuke-style.

Chestnuts, known for their gentle sweetness and soft, fluffy texture, are in season from September to October.
They are another representative fall ingredient and are delicious simply steamed and eaten as they are.
Kuri gohan, rice cooked with chestnuts, is a classic dish many Japanese people crave when fall arrives.
Chestnut desserts such as Mont Blanc and kuri kinton are also worth trying while chestnuts are in season.

Many mushrooms, including matsutake, shiitake, and shimeji, come into season in the fall and are widely recognized as seasonal ingredients.
They are often combined with other foods. Particularly delicious examples include rice cooked with mushrooms and fall salmon, as well as foil-wrapped mushrooms and other ingredients steamed together.

Arashiyama in Kyoto offers scenery in which fall foliage blends with historic architecture.
The area has many places where visitors can experience a distinctly Japanese atmosphere, including Japanese gardens framed by colorful mountains and carefully arranged rock gardens surrounded by fall leaves.
Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Togetsukyo Bridge, one of Arashiyama's most famous scenic landmarks, are especially popular foliage destinations.

Nikko City, which covers one-quarter of Tochigi Prefecture, is filled with popular foliage destinations. These include the Irohazaka Winding Road, where visitors can admire the foliage while driving; Lake Chuzenji, one of the leading foliage destinations in the Kanto region; and Ryuzu Falls, where waterfalls and colorful leaves create an impressive combination.
The area also has hot spring resorts, allowing visitors to admire the foliage while bathing.
Because many of Nikko's foliage destinations can be explored by car, consider renting one to make the most of your visit. (Irohazaka becomes congested during the fall foliage season, so traveling in the early morning or evening is recommended.)

Yabakei Gorge in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, has been designated one of Japan's New Three Most Scenic Views, a Japan Heritage site, and one of Japan's Three Great Unusual Landscapes. Here, visitors can admire colorful fall foliage set against dramatic rocky peaks.
Across an expansive area measuring 32 km (about 20 miles) from north to south and 36 km (about 22 miles) from east to west, cliffs, caves, mountain streams, and unusual rock formations create scenery found nowhere else.
Among its many beautiful foliage spots, the Hitome Hakkei Observation Deck in the heart of Shin-Yabakei is especially famous.
The unusual landscape visible from the Hitome Hakkei Observation Deck can only be seen here.