Autumn Rules
Fall is in full swing here in Tokyo and the nights are quickly getting cooler and cooler. For many living in Japan, autumn brings about a much-needed escape from the almost-unbearable humidity that this country is known for. Yes, the air is drying out and the leaves are changing color. It’s Halloween today and one of the biggest Halloween bashes in east Asia is happening tonight at AgeHa in Shin-Kiba.
But fall doesn’t end with Halloween, of course. In fact, autumn in Japan is a celebrated season. Many people make trips to places like Kyoto or the Tohoku region to check out the koyo (紅葉 - fall leaves). However, you don’t have to leave Tokyo to check out the color-changing foliage; Shinjuku Gyoen has some amazing sites on offer in the fall. Also, in Tohoku, there are imonikai, where groups of people make gigantic pots of potato soup on crisp, cold evenings. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Japan has lots of great seasonal food in the fall. Matsutake (松茸 – mushrooms) and fugu (河豚 – pufferfish), as well as sanma (さんま – mackerel pike) top the list. Of course, there are numerous fall specialties in Japan and if you’re a foodie, autumn is the time to be in the land of the rising sun. What’s your favorite fall Japanese food?
Autumn is a great season for traveling inside of Japan, especially in the south, where it is still decently warm. But, whether you’re in Kyushu or northern Honshu, it’s a great time of year to hit an onsen (温泉 - hot spring) located in a picturesque deep-mountain area. Also, Kamakura is worth a visit if you’re not willing or able to leave the Kanto region.
How about you? What do you think is the best thing about autumn in Japan? Leave a comment; it may just be the travel tip that inspires someone’s next vacation.
This post was submitted by billywest
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Autumn Rules | 7:10 to Tokyo…
Another you-complete-the-article posting at 7:10. Stop by and offer up your best suggestions for what to do during the fall season in Japan….
I just love the cool crisp air of autumn! The sun is beautiful this time of year and the haze that pervades the skies of Tokyo in the summer gives way to clear skies, lovely clouds and gorgeous sunsets. Now I just have to get to one of those onsen…
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We just spent a lovely weekend in Hida Takayama - we stayed in a lovely traditional. original gassho style ryokan (Hida Gassho-en) which I highly recommend and had a fantstic and HUGE traditional dinner (for which you need to order in advance.) It was nine degrees when we arrived at 2pm and it sooo wonderful to be genuinely COLD and need ot rug up a bit. It was too drizzly to enjoy the open air Museum (for which we will return in Spring) but there was plenty to do in town with the morning markets, the shrine and float museums and the wonderful hida beef to enjoy from street vendors and restaurants alike. The hida gyuu man from the morning market are to die for!!
We drove from Nagoya and it took about 3 hrs but it was worth it to have the car to get around. Later in winter it will no doubt be beautiful but it will be a train trip as the roads are closed for safety.
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I do love the koyo. My favorite places to see it are Mount Takao on a clear and sunny cold day when you also get a fabulous view of Mount Fuji in the background. Nikko is another favorite wandering round the temples and grabbing some soba or ramen to warm me up after a long day walking.
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My suggestion. Get drunk at Yoyogi park and do some people watching. I have seen and talked to some very interesting people there as of late.
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When I was in Tokyo I’d people watch the drunk people in Yoyogi.
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My second month here, and I have to second the notion that I am loving the cold weather. I come from the upper midwest in the States, and I have found out how much I miss cold weather. Now that the cold weather is finally here, I am loving it. You can always wear more clothes to keep warm, (in the summer you can’t easily escape the heat) and I just hate sweating all the time, you know?
On the other hand, there is one downside to autumn. It’s not a big problem. Well, it actually is a big problem–the females start wearing more clothes…
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There was quite the chill in the air today, and the Edo River looked a bit misty at Matsudo City this evening. On the streets, everyone is wearing woolies which provide so much texture and deep colour in anticipation of fall foliage. I love the autumn here.
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I went up to Nagano in Suwa where it felt cosy hugging cups of warm sake and shivering in the crisp, chill air. Lotsa vibrant red and yellow leaves — the mountains looked like they were on fire. Best time of the year methinks.
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