In fall time, we can see autumn foliage
everywhere in the north hemisphere in the world. Whereas, there is only place
where you can see autumn foliage in conjunction with Japanese temples and
shrines.
Due to world climate change effects on fall
foliage in Japan, it is high time to change green leaves to yellow or red at
the beginning of October, but it is running behind recent years.
Because leaves color are closely related to
the temperature. In particular, cool temperature in the nights and mornings are
an important condition for the leaves to turn a vibrant yellow or red.
Now, autumn foliage spots are crossing over
Japanese continents from the north area to the south.
Earth Communication Provider reports
“Release of 2025 Autumn Foliage forecast (2nd Forecast) as below the
link
I am going to Nikko to see autumn foliage
with Nikko Toshogu 日光東照宮
And Kegon no taki 華厳の滝this year. Nikko is very close to Tokyo. Just Two hours train or bus ride will take you to Nikko!
There is so many autumn foliage spots in
Japan, especially Kyoto, Nara.
If you love to pet wild animals, visit Nara and see and feed deer at Nara Park.
Nikko Tosho-gu
Nikko Kegon no taki
Kyoto
Kyoto Arashiyama
Let’s start planning to visit autumn foliage spots during this beautiful season in Japan!!
Warning! Be aware of bears in Nikko. Hungry bears have been spotted frequently in towns and villages this autumn. They attacked human in some cases. Please keep update the latest information of bears when you plan to visit mountain areas.
This summer, during the 2025 holiday season, some people
might have up to a 9-day consecutive break due to the Obon holiday.
For those spending time with family, going on trips,
returning to their hometowns, or paying respects at graves, there will be
plenty to do.
Given the extreme heat this year (though I feel like every
year is setting new records for the highest temperatures), I’d prefer not to
stand in long lines under the blazing sun for leisure activities. But still, I
really want to visit the Osaka Expo, as it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event this
year.
The content of the Expo is enjoyable for adults, but it’s
especially recommended for children because it provides a very compact and
easy-to-understand look at the future of society, technology, and the diverse
countries of the world. It’s an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange
with people from abroad.
Recently, it seems that all tourist destinations in Japan
are filled with inbound foreign visitors, but at the Osaka Expo venue, I felt
that many of the attendees were Japanese people, especially retirees with more
free time, and people from the Kansai region who had purchased full-term
passes.
Of course, during summer vacation, it’s expected that there
will be many families and children (there are also summer passes for this
period), but it’s important to register for pavilion reservations in advance,
such as two months, seven days, or even the day before the visit. If that’s not
possible, there are also booths where you can make reservations after entering
the venue. (While some pavilions don’t require reservations, due to increased
congestion, more and more places are now requiring them).
Therefore, it’s recommended to enter the venue as early as
possible. (Remember, you need to purchase an entrance ticket separately. Without
it, you won’t be able to enter the pavilion lottery. Once inside, you can make
reservations, so try to get there early. However, in the evening, the crowds
thin out, so it becomes easier to enter pavilions just by standing in line).
Jamaica Pavilion
Romania Pavilion
Kuwait Pavilion
Austria Pavilion Restaurant
Czech Pavilion
Australia Pavilion
The Italy Pavilion, France Pavilion, USA Pavilion were amazing!
the Jordan Pavilion where you can walk through the desert, and the Turkmenistan
Pavilion (which is not yet open to the public as a tourist attraction) are
often in the spotlight. But I recommend visiting the Commons, where there are booths from
many countries within one building. You can see various local products, famous
celebrity figures, cultural arts, and more, almost without having to wait in
line. There are pavilions from A to F, and it’s impossible to see everything!
If you can’t get reservations, you’ll just have to stand in
line. When I went, it was the day the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition was launched
at the Italy Pavilion, so I had to wait about six hours! But it was worth it
and very impressive.
It’s recommended to spend several days and visit the Expo
in a planned manner. On the first day, take a quick tour to get an overview,
and then, over the next few days, explore the places you really want to see.
The large roofed area offers shade and seating, and there’s free drinking water
available. Each country also has plenty of food and events, with Myaku Myaku being particularly popular.
There are also so many stamp rallies, so be sure to buy a
stamp book and collect them. The unique stamps of each country will be great
memories of the Expo.
After the summer vacation, I plan to visit again in
September. It’s that fun! The ethnic costumes worn by the pavilion staff from
each country are also wonderful. The Japan Pavilion was so popular that I
couldn’t get a reservation, so I look forward to visiting it next time.
I visited the “Japan, An Artistic Melting Pot”
exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum, and I was absolutely shaken by the
gathering of Japan’s national treasure collections. I don’t think there will
ever be another opportunity like this to see so many national treasures in one
place at once!
With the Osaka and Kansai Expo in mind, the National Museum
is certainly putting on quite a show. Works like the Fujin Raijin-zu byōbu (Wind and Thunder
Gods Folding Screen) and Fugaku
Sanjūrokkei – Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura, Gaifū Kaisei (Thirty-Six Views
of Mount Fuji – The Great Wave off Kanagawa and the Fine Wind, Clear Morning)
are on display together.
Typically, national treasures and sculptures are preserved
by the temples or institutions that have inherited them over generations, so
it’s expected that many would be in the Kansai region. But even in Tokyo, it’s
rare to see such a collection all in one place!
From Japan to abroad and from abroad to Japan: in many
ways, Japan has been influenced by other countries, while also influencing the
world. Amidst misunderstandings and modifications, there is a constant
curiosity and awe in the artworks and sculptures that reflect newly seen
animals, plants, people, foreign cultures, and first encounters with foreign
artists and works of art.
Personally, I really like the ceramics and Nanban (Southern
Barbarian) folding screens from the 16th century, Momoyama period. They
beautifully blend Japanese and foreign cultures—just the right balance.
Also, the artworks featuring motifs of flowers, birds,
wind, and moon, landscape paintings, mother-of-pearl inlay, and maki-e
lacquerware boxes are all wonderful. The haniwa (ancient clay figures) are also
adorable. (Yes, I love them all! Haha)
I spent a full three hours, and even participated in making
a maki-e letter paper and envelope workshop, which took about four hours in
total. Still, it felt like I didn’t have enough time.
Perhaps because of the rain, or maybe despite it, the Kyoto
National Museum had a large crowd, and it was hard to view each piece slowly
and carefully. It truly was an extraordinary exhibition, one that you rarely
encounter!
There are unique, characteristic zoos and aquariums all around the world, then, if you love animals or birds and fish, penguins, why don’t you visit zoo and aquarium while staying at Tokyo.
Tokyo Ueno Zoo (Tokyo Zoological Gardens)and Kasai Rinkai Aquarium(Tokyo Sea Life Park) are being managed their administrations by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
You can see the animals along scenery close to its natural environment.
Meanwhile, Sumida Aquarium, Shinagawa Aquarium are private aquariums, inclined to be particular about presentation.
