Autumn in Japan

Autumn in Japan is a wonderful destination to visit! It marks the end of summer around September and welcomes the vibrant atmosphere as October arrives. Moreover, as this season begins, the weather becomes cooler, and the leaves transform into a beautiful array of colors.

Therefore, people tend to enjoy watching colorful leaves and engaging in various activities. In this article, StuDrill will introduce you to the top 3 activities to make your autumn experience in Japan more enjoyable!

1. Enjoying Autumn Leaves in Japan

Watching the changing colors of the leaves, known as 紅葉狩り(kōyōga) in Japanese, is one of the most popular activities to do in Japan during autumn. Japan boasts numerous mountains and forests adorned with red, yellow, and orange leaves during autumn. This stunning scenery can be observed from early October to December.

Leaves in Famous Temples and Bridges

In addition, Japan offers numerous famous locations for viewing autumn foliage, such as Kyoto, home to temples like Kiyomizudera and Tofukuji that attract many visitors. For instance, Tofukuji features a bridge called Tsutenkyo Bridge where people can enjoy the sight of lush maple trees.

Furthermore, it tends to get crowded during autumn when the colors reach their peak. As depicted in the image above, it’s undeniably beautiful, isn’t it?

Exploring Parks and Mountains

Near Tokyo, you can also explore many parks and mountains that offer a delightful experience of autumn colors, including Shinjuku Gyouen National Garden and Mount Takao. 

For instance, Mount Takao, experiences a surge in visitors during autumn as the leaves turn vibrant red, creating a stunning display of colors.

Likewise, Shinjuku Gyouen National Garden boasts a diverse range of trees that undergo color changes as autumn arrives, particularly the maple trees found in many Japanese gardens. Visiting these places is sure to leave you with no regrets!

2. Eating Autumn Foods in Japan

Yet another aspect that renders autumn special in Japan is the variety of seasonal foods available. During autumn, which marks the main harvest season in Japan, rice is harvested, and the initial crop is referred to as shinmai (新米) rice, or new rice. People acknowledge that this rice possesses superior taste and texture compared to regular rice, exhibiting a glossy appearance with higher water content

Moreover, autumn is linked to various other foods, including chestnuts and sweet potatoes. Snacks and beverages available in stores and supermarkets feature these flavors. In terms of fish, the most renowned one in autumn is the Pacific saury, known as sanma fish (サンマ/秋刀魚) in Japan, which migrates to Japanese waters during the fall.

In definition, it is a long silver fish that is usually grilled and is a part of some famous autumn festivals in Japan, such as the Pacific Saury Festival in Meguro ward in Tokyo. 

3. Watching Autumn Festivals in Japan

Autumn is a season that is celebrated in many ways in Japan. In addition, there are some famous festivals that take place in different regions of Japan in autumn. So, let’s dive into some of the most famous autumn festivals in Japan:

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (Osaka)

People celebrate the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival, which is one of the most famous festivals, and it takes place only in early autumn in Kishiwada city, Osaka. To illustrate, the floats are huge, decorated with intricate carvings and are carried at high speeds by large crowds around Kishiwada Castle. 

Jidai Matsuri Kyoto

The Jidai Matsuri stands out as one of Kyoto’s major festivals, held annually on October 22nd. Furthermore, this festival is a parade that shows Japan’s history with thousands of people wearing costumes from different historical periods.

This event draws a significant number of attendees and holds a prominent place in Kyoto’s festival calendar. So, make sure to mark it on your calendar as well to visit!

Asakusa Tori No Ichi

They hold the most famous festival at the Otori shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo during the Tori No Ichi Festivals. This festival celebrated for prosperity and good luck is held at many shrines in Japan in October. Fun fact, the streets around the shrine are also filled with tasty food stalls. So,It’s an ideal festival to attend if you want to immerse yourself in Japanese tradition!

Tsukimi

In Japan, people observe Tsukimi, which is not a specific festival but an event that people observe all over Japan.  Tsukimi is a moon viewing festival that expresses gratitude for the autumn harvest. Additionally, this event held in September every year when the moon is full. People display decorations made with pampas grass and eat Tsukimi dango (rice dumplings), also decorated with offerings of autumn food such as sweet potato and chestnuts.

Conclusion

To conclude, autumn in Japan is a season of so much beauty and cultural richness. There are many beautiful spots to watch autumn leaves, enjoy the foods that are only served in this season, and the festivals! Such as the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival in Osaka and the Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto.  So, what kind of activity do you want to do first when it’s autumn in Japan?

Autumn is surely one of the most beautiful seasons, but do you know what makes this year’s autumn more special? StuDrill is releasing a new app! With StuDrill, you’ll have no trouble learning and speaking Japanese. Plus, its personalized AI can help you to master speaking skills and give useful feedback to you, all done by just using an app! Be ready this autumn!

Editor: Zakiah Machfir