#Autumn – Jun-Spade

Fall colors with hot springs in Hakone

November 28, 2019 jsukigara

Hakone is one of the nearest Hot Springs and the beautiful sights. Although the fall coming has been getting delayed due to the impact of global warming anywhere, finally the leaves are changing to Red and Yellow at the end of November at Hakone area.

Early sunny morning, it’s getting pretty colder, then the steam is coming from the surface of Lake Ashinoko. It’s a kind of fantastic illusion. Then around Lake Ashinoko, mountains and forests are ablaze with fall colors. One of the most popular scenery in Hakone is the one from Motohakone. The beautiful contrast of snow-capped Mt. Fuji, red gateway of Hakone shrine, sightseeing pirate ships and deep blue color of Lake Ashinoko.

After the few weeks closure due to the damage of several heavy typhoon coming this year, Owakudani is opening again. Owakudani means a great bubbling valley and is the place where you can see the real volcanic activity and smell volcanic gases such as H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) and SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) detrimental to our health. It was created by volcanic activity of central cone called Kami-yama (1438 meters above sea level and the highest of all Mt. Hakone) about 3,000 years ago. Owakudani is one of the most scenic Mt. Fuji observatory places as well as Otome pass, Mikuni pass, Mt. Taikan and Motohakone.

Autumn in Okunikko

November 22, 2019 jsukigara

Nikko is one of the easy access resort places from Tokyo Metropolitan. Getting up early morning, then driving over 2 hours, we can see the sun rising at Akechidaira Plateau, is located near the top of Iroha Slope, just beyond the Nikko city. Nikko is very famous as “World Heritage”, Sanctuary of Syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. Nikko Toshogu Shrine cerebrated its 400^thanniversary in 2015 as one of the most memorable historical sights. However, we are skipping Nikko city today, due to enjoy the day trip to Okunikko, to feel the earliest fall season in the Metropolitan area.

Around the lake Chuzenji-ko, there are lots of scenic places especially in early fall because of the temperature gap between day and night, then colorful leaves are changing to impressive red, orange and yellow. The Chuzenji Temple and the observatory of Mt. Hangetsu are the beautiful spots that can see the beautiful colored leaves around blue lake Chuzenji-ko and Mt. Nantai-san. At the lakeside near Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, memorable and impressive colored leaves of maple & are there. In addition, Ryuzunotaki Falls, Yunoko Lake and Senjyogahara marshy field are welcoming with their beautiful autumn colors to make a striking contrast to blue and clear sky.
(2019 late October)

Colorful Leaves in Metropolitan

January 23, 2019 jsukigara

The beginnings of December, Tokyo Metropolitan meets with the colorful autumn leaves one or two months later than the mountain and country sights in Japan. Lots of maple and ginkgo leaves turn to red and yellow anywhere in the parks and gardens all around Tokyo. After the falling of beautiful red and yellow leaves, Tokyo welcomes one of the most celebratory Christmas and New Year season. (2018 early December)