Autumn Colors – Venus Line: Driving thru Nagano [4K] JAPAN 2020

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As always, thank you for coming along. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the view!

Map:

Venus Line

Where to See Autumn Leaves in Nagano

Momijigari: Fall leaves viewing
Autumn in Japan is known as Aki (秋) and the fall foliage is classified by two different terms: Koyo (紅葉) and Momiji (紅葉).

The tradition of Momijigari (viewing of fall leaves) has had a profound influence on Japanese culture since the Heian period (794-1195), with hunting for maples particularly popular across the country.

For Buddhists, it’s a moment that is important both spiritually and symbolically as it reminds us that life is ephemeral. Momijigari also features heavily In eighth-century Manyoshu poetry as well as the classical Heian Period novel ‘The Tale of the Genji’.

There is no shortage of stunning places in Japan to enjoy the phenomenon, though the best days to see it vary from place to place and from year to year. Momijigari is often enjoyed in many different ways, including on hikes, picnics, drives, bike rides and camping trips.

Fall foliage forecast 2020
The turning of the leaves in Japan varies due to temperature, elevation, and latitude, and the best time to experience the phenomenon differs every year. In general, the autumn foliage season begins in mid-September on the island of Hokkaido, the northernmost island.

In other parts of Japan, like Tokyo and Kyoto, the best viewing times typically range from mid-October through early December. Peak viewing in each area typically lasts between two weeks to more than one month.

Therefore, while many regions peak in November, some areas can start changing as early as September or as late as December. When temperatures turn cold early, the Japanese fall colors appear sooner – up to several weeks early – and vice versa.

The country’s many mountainous hiking trails offer a great alternative option for those wishing to take in the Japanese countryside. The area surrounding Mount Fuji, including lake Kawaguchiko, and national parks such as Daisetsuzan in Hokkaido and Oze north of Tokyo are ideal for Momijigari.

Two words meaning “autumn-colored foliage” are koyo and momiji, both written with the same two characters, 紅葉. Koyo refers to the phenomenon of changing autumn colors, mainly when it occurs to the leaves of deciduous broad-leaf trees before the leaves fall to the ground.

At some point in time, the word momiji became synonymous with the maple tree (kaede), the most beautiful of the autumn trees.

The species of maple generally determines the color the leaves will change: red, yellow or brown. Although the word koyo literally means “red leaves, ” it is used to refer to all the colors of autumn leaves. The word oyo refers to yellow leaves, and the word katsuyo refers to brown leaves specifically.

The koyo season in Japan typically begins in mid-September in Hokkaido to the north, gradually spreading to the southern end of the Japanese archipelago in about 50 days. The change occurs when the low temperature at dawn is about 6 degrees or 7 degrees Celsius, and the viewing season lasts for 20 to 25 days. The exact timing to see the leaves fluctuates somewhat from year to year.

When autumn deepens and the leaves begin to turn color in the fields and mountains, “hunting for autumn foliage” is a popular pastime in Japan.

Taking outings to appreciate the beauty of autumn has been a custom since the ancient collection of Manyoshu poetry was compiled in the eighth century, and there are scenes that involve “hunting” for beautiful autumn colors in the classical Heian Period novel “The Tale of the Genji.” The practice of writing the words koyo and momiji with the same characters goes back to Heian times, and a large section of the Kokin Wakashu poetry collection, compiled around the beginning of the same period, is dedicated almost entirely to autumn leaves.

Narita International Airport Access Navigation

Haneda Airport Information

Camera: GoPro HERO9 Black

Filmed in October 2020

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Drive with me! Japan travel guide 2020
Road trip across Japan in a kei car – Japan scenery 4k by Tokyo Smith

– Scenic drive
– No music
– No talking