Leaf peeping season has started!
In Japanese, there is a word for the tradition of admiring automn leaf colors, their light yellows, bright oranges, and deep reds: momijigari. And it has just started in Hokkaido!
Momijigari comes from Japanese momiji, meaning the red leaves of maple trees, and kari, hunting. Traditionally, people visit the most beautiful places where leaves turn red, orange, and yellow, just like they enjoy sakura in spring for hanami. This habit dates back to the Heian period (794-1185). Noble people went on strolls to admire the beauty of the landscapes while writing music and poems. In the Edo period (1603-1868), it spread to the lower class.
Many Japanese people follow this tradition and such places as Kyoto or Nikko are among the most famous places to visit at this time of the year. Some spots are also famous for their grass that also change colors. The leaves start taking their automn colors in the North of Japan from mid-September, as you can see on those pics taken in Hokkaido, and going southward.
Follow the leaves changing colors in Japan on www.japan-guide.com!
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