Walking with deer in ancient Nara
The Nara deer are probably familiar to many people, but this was the first time I saw them walking among the red maple trees above. Everything seemed like a beautiful scene in a painting rather than reality. I was amazed by the friendliness of the deer, there are more than 500 of them living and roaming freely in the Nara Deer Park next to Todai-ji Temple. The deer here are respected by the people because they are considered messengers of Kasuga-taisha Shrine.
You can spend 150 yen to buy Nara-senbei – the favorite food of Nara deer and feed them. If you have children with you, this will be an interesting experience because the children can touch the animals without having to look at them through the zoo bars.
After having enough fun with the deer, I walked to a roadside stall and made a bento that was both beautiful and delicious. Bento is similar to Vietnamese rice, but it is presented in a delicate and beautiful way, making diners both crave and regret eating it. The food in each bento box is calculated to have enough protein and 5 types of vegetables and fruits, helping to balance the nutrition of the day.
Lost in the ancient capital of Kyoto
For me, Kyoto is most beautiful in autumn. Kyoto is located next to a mountainous area, so the scenery here is magnificent when the leaves change color.
If you come to Kyoto and love temples, you should not miss these two temples: Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is more beautiful than ever in autumn thanks to the red maple leaves surrounding it. Kinkaku-ji is also beautiful when the bonsai trees around the pond turn a beautiful red color. Arashiyama, Gion district, Inari Fushimi... are also places you should visit when coming to Kyoto. But for me, the best feeling in autumn is walking around the slopes and watching Kyoto change colors.
Mount Fuji in autumn
Mount Fuji is known as one of the most beautiful places to enjoy autumn in Japan. The Five Lakes area around the mountain is the perfect place to see Fuji at this time. In particular, from Lake Kawaguchiko, the view of the mountain hidden behind the rows of yellowing ginkgo trees and red maple leaves is a magnificent sight of nature.
When autumn comes, the top of Mount Fuji is covered with a layer of snow, which is suitable for tourists to admire, not as bare as in summer and not as much as in winter. Going up to the 5th station of Mount Fuji - the highest station that the bus can reach - is also easier, but the most important thing is to grasp the right weather to see the mountain. On the first day, I went up to the 5th station and could not see anything. But on the second day, from Lake Kawaguchiko, I saw the beauty of Mount Fuji and the autumn colors of Japan in the most complete way.
Autumn colors in Hakone, around Lake Ashi, and Owakudani valley
The maple trees growing around Lake Ashi is where I had a wonderful experience from a lake tour. Paying 1,000 yen for a 30-minute sightseeing boat ride, that time is hardly enough because of the warm sunshine and breathtaking scenery around. The lake is clear and blue with autumn colors. From the boat, you can see Mt. Fuji, see the green and yellow of autumn dotted below the mountain and the clear sky is the most perfect backdrop.
After the lake walk, the group stopped for lunch, had bento, tempura and udon, then took the ropeway up the mountain to Owakudani. Who says you can’t spend the morning in the water and the afternoon in the mountains all in one day? This ropeway ride was easily the best experience of my life. The feeling of floating in the air with the beautiful yellow of the ginkgo trees below was indescribable.
After 15 minutes, passing the first station, stopping at the second station, the group was at Hell Valley. But the natural beauty here is nothing like hell, Owakudani got this name because when it was formed, there was a strong volcanic activity. Today, you will still see sulfur smoke columns and many hot springs because this is still an active volcanic area and can erupt at any time. Owakudani is incredibly beautiful, immersed in the golden autumn background and the abundant reeds and sulfur smoke columns, giving us the feeling of being lost in a fairyland.
Grape picking in Yamanashi prefecture
Yamanashi is known as the “Fruit Kingdom” in Japan, and you can pick peaches, grapes, and cherries in different seasons. I visited in the fall, when the grapes are at their best. Grapes are also considered the best souvenirs. During a visit to Kawaguchiko, one of the Five Lakes, I happened to stop by a vineyard. A trip here is enough to taste the juicy grapes of Yamanashi.
There are a few small rules you must follow when picking grapes, as with other fruits: Fruit must be eaten on the spot, no fruit can be taken home, and no uneaten fruit can be thrown away.
When picking grapes, the darker the bunch, the riper and sweeter it is. You have to use scissors to cut the whole bunch, you cannot pick the grapes one by one. When you are done picking, you have to eat them all right away, so don't pick a second bunch. The powder on the outside of the grapes is a natural compound that the grapes secrete to protect themselves from worms, and you can eat it. To pick grapes in a premium vineyard, you need to pay 1,100 yen. If you choose a regular vineyard, you only have to pay 720 yen.
Kochia viewing in Ibaraki
Kochia is a unique plant that grows in spherical clumps. Its leaves are green, but turn a brilliant red in autumn. In early October, Miharashi Hill in Hitachi Seaside National Park (Ibaraki Prefecture) is covered with more than 32,000 kochia plants, looking like a crimson carpet. This is the only place where you can see the contrasting colors between the red of the hill and the blue of the sky. But by the end of October, the color of Kochia Hill gradually changes to a new color. Under the sunset, the hill will be covered with shimmering copper-gold, creating a very romantic autumn space.
(Copy).jpg.jpg)
(Copy).jpg.jpg)
