Japan is on the tip of most people tongues at the moment with the arrival of the NEW Emperor, and many tour operators are reporting record numbers of visitors to Japan especially during the peak seasons.
Taking place in October, tying in perfectly with the arrival of the stunning autumn colours in Tokyo, will be a the official enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito’s so whilst everyone will be heading to Tokyo for this state occasion starting on 22nd October and ending on 26th October, the outlying regions such as Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai will be a pure delight for nature lovers in search of incredible autumn colours to rival those of the spring Cherry blossom which is Japan’s most iconic season.
Autumn foliage season begins in mid-September in the northern most islands of Hokkaido and spreads south during October with the best viewing times for Tokyo being mid to late October.
As temperatures dip after the hot summer, the colours of the leaves turn a vibrant range of colours from orange and red to yellow and brown which has been the inspiration for artists and poets for centuries.
In Japan the natural phenomenon is called koyo or momiji (meaning red leaf) and many locals join in a search for the most distinctive shades with an activity named Momigari (red leaf hunting).
So take in a few days in Tokyo admiring the beautiful avenues of trees and parks adjacent to the Imperial Palace where the Enthronement Ceremony will take place before heading out of town to hike amongst the beautiful wooded landscapes on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park, just as Sir Ernest Satow (British Envoy to Japan from 1895-1900) did when he built his own villa by the Lakeside.