Japan ~ witness leaves of maple and ginkgo trees turning red and yellow as we are nearing the peak of autumn. This beautiful season is known for koyo, which means watching autumn leaves, also known as fall foliage season. With the mild weather and breathtaking scenery, here are some places you can visit to experience autumn in Japan!
Boat ride on Ooi River
Located in the middle of Kyoto’s Arashiyama Mountain, you will experience viewing the foliage differently by cruising through the river. Take a boat ride along the Ooi River and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as the gentle autumn breeze brushes by your face.
Best time to visit: Mid-November
Hitachi Seaside Park (Hitachinaka, Ibaraki)
Hitachi Seaside Park features a variety of flowers like tulips and daffodils, covering an area of 190 hectares. Be sure to be enchanted by the beautiful crimson colour of Kochia, which changes its colour from green to red at the end of September. The park also has cycling trails and a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel for people to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Best time to visit: Early to Mid-October
Kegon Waterfall
At almost 100m tall, Kegon Waterfall is ranked as one of the top three waterfalls in Japan. It is a popular spot, especially during autumn, when the leaves around it turn colourful, and people can observe its beauty from a free observatory platform. A paid platform is located at the base for a more impressive view, which can only be accessed via a 100m deep elevator.
Best time to visit: Mid-November
Daigoji Temple
Daigoji Temple is one of the designated world heritage sites in Japan. The main temple grounds are located at the foot of the mountain. Stroll on the temple grounds, and you can spot the iconic five-storey tall pagoda, Kyoto’s oldest verified building. Stroll through the grounds and enjoy the gentle blend of red and orange at Daigoji Temple. This is also one of the most popular spots for photo taking.
Best time to visit: Mid-November to mid-December
Kyoto Gyoen
Enjoy a relaxing stroll with your loved ones at Kyoto Imperial Palace Park in the middle of Kyoto Central Park. Kyoto Gyoen covers an area of 65 hectares of land. You will be mesmerized by the foliage as you walk to some other attractions nearby, like the Sento Imperial Palace and Itsukushima Shrine.
Best time to visit: End of October
Dying to visit Japan but do not have the luxury of time this Autumn? Come to Ikeda Spa as we enter our final month of Autumn-inspired spa treatments!
