Autumn

One great thing about Japan is that all four seasons’ splendor can be appreciated wherever you live. And this heightened awareness of seasonal beauty is complemented nicely by Japan’s plentiful mountains, forests, beaches, and even a desert (!), meaning that a change of scenery is a simple train or bus ride away. In the autumn season, the trees become an explosion of bright colors signaling that the cold of winter is on its way. Like in springtime with “hanami” cherry blossom viewing, the Japanese also enjoy “koyo,” or fall foliage viewing throughout November and into early December in some areas. Ask anyone here in the Tokyo area where you can see autumn colors. They’ll tell you places like Hakone, an hour south of Yokohama, Mt. Takao; about 2 hours west of Shinjuku, or Nikko; around 2 hours north of Ueno Station. These places are undoubtedly beautiful and widely-known fall “leafing” spots, but they are also a reasonable distance from the center of town, making them prime candidates for perhaps a day trip on the weekend (be prepared for crowds!) However, there are some pretty good spots in town where you can catch the fall colors without having to plan nearly…