Autumn is a wonderful time to be in Japan. In my book, fall in Japan outshines spring (and cherry blossom season) for its many delights.
For one, the falling temperatures signal the return of comforting fall flavours. Think chestnuts and freshly harvested rice, fragrant pine mushroom broth, oily grilled Pacific mackerel, pumpkin soup, and sweet persimmons. (Hungry" Read more about Japanese cuisine.)
Autumn also brings orange osmanthus, blood-red spider lilies, and chrysanthemums in their delicate pastel glory. And after the heat and humidity of summer, a dip in the onsen (hot springs) suddenly becomes a warming respite from the bracing chill of autumn air.
Of course, one of the best parts of fall in Japan is the colours. Naturally, this means engaging in the ultimate autumn pastime ? momiji-gari (also known as koyo). A waterfall surrounded by fall foliage in Akita Prefecture, Japan (photo by Syuzo Tsushima CC BY)
Momiji-gari literally means ?hunting red leaves,? which is the main draw for many visitors to Japan in autumn. It derives from momiji (red leaves, or maple tree), and kari (hunting).
In practice, momiji-gari and koyo do not refer exclusively to maple leaves. Rather, they?re catch-all terms for ?leaf peeping,? or viewing the fall colours. Think entire mountains enveloped in swathes of red, orange, and gold; an avenue of golden ginkgo trees leading to a shrine; starry red and yellow maple leaves blanketing a carpet of moss.
Because of how beautiful Japan is at t...