#25 Ready for autumn leaves?
11th of October will be a big turning point for independent travellers to Japan, then what will be after that?
Looking back one month ago in Tokyo, I was struggling to have a good sleep due to the high temperature every night. One month was enough to feel the change of night temperature and now I don’t need an air conditioner. From October to November, it is going to be most comfortable and best time to experience the autumn in Japan. And Japan officially announced resuming entry by individual travellers for touring purposes beginning on October 11. This measure is going to be surely a big turn for tourism in Japan.
What most of tourists in their minds should be landing in Japan for the first time since pandemic, but also be linking with visiting places with beautiful autumn leaves. Similar to the timings of cherry blossoms, the best timing of autumn leaves starts coming down from the north to the south. Duration is just over two months starting from the beginning of October to the beginning of December. Personally we will most likely find famous places in the east of Japan. In this newsletter I will write about the expected situation of tourist attractions and recommended information site for research.
There is a symbolic figure which shows the high interests by long-awaited independent tourist from overseas. The data provided by Expedia indicate that the announcement of Japanese Prime Minister on 22nd of September triggered searches for visiting Japan.
These figures indicate that independent travellers can catch up with the high season of autumn leaves in October and November. Overall, the best time for 2022 autumn leaves is said to be a little bit later than the normal year due to hot temperature in this summer and early autumn. Autumn leaves have started already at high altitude places in northern Japan. There are lots of English web site and you can choose from locations and your tastes. If you love the nature and the solitude, you can go remote mountains in Tohoku and other area. If you love the combination of temples and autumn leaf, you will definitely choose Kyoto. The important factors are the vegetation and geography. Generally speaking, maple trees play a very important role to make a spectacular appearance. So the followings are on typical site which will be helpful to start planning. One of these is Japanese only, but if you refer to good maps, you can make out the latest situation of the location.
The official Guide for Traveling Japan: This can be the first website you will go to, and there is an autumn leaves section.
miru-navi: Full of information and there is an autumn leaves section. There are a ranking section and a colored leaves spot search.
Autumn leaves real time map by Japan Weather Association: Good map if you are going to the mountain or going for a drive. It is a pity that is Japanese only. Explanatory notes consist of 5 stages, such as Green/Beginning to change/Best time to see/Beginning to fade/Fallen leaves from the left to the right.
As of 1st of October places those which are at the stage of “best time to see” in central part of Japan are:
The Central Alps Senjojiki Cirque: Not quite ready, but will be soon the best condition.
These two places are top two popular ones in central Japan.
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, serious congestion will be expected especially weekends. Highway congestion forecast already predicts the Chuo Expressway westbound of Tokyo on the 19th of October which is the first weekend after the new measure 20 km Hachioji IC at the head of the line and there are lots of places where bad congestions are expected.
The National Travel Support (National Travel Discount) will start on 11 October and this is the additional reason for all the congestions. The Japanese tourism market has been halted by the pandemic, and this is going to be the real first time for Japanese people to travel with much less restrictions. So I believe most of tourist attractions will be crowded and this is not the situation you may not want to see traveling all the long way from your country.
So it all depends on your choice, but there are a few ways not to be embarrassed too much.
Wait until the situation will settle down as early as next spring
Avoid the busiest time of autumn leaves, in another word visit tourists attractions middle of the week.
Avoid places frequently posted on guide sites.
One of the leading travel agent representatives told me the other day, highly priced airline tickets will stay high at least until next spring or even longer. The Japanese Yen is very weak and visitors from overseas has a strong benefit of the foreign exchange, but it is very difficult to decide considering from all the situations.
I will share one of autumn hiking experience in these coming weeks if I can. It is a difficult situation whether you should plan to visit or later, but one thing that I can say for sure is it is not the same autumn season as three years ago before the pandemic. And most importantly, Japan will not disappear and welcome you as long as you keep your ambition to come.
Your comment is most welcome.
Hello Hideo
It’s wonderful to see you put in the effort to keep independent overseas travellers informed about Japan. Especially the challenge to plan around avoiding the busy Autumn tourist locations…
I personally am looking forward to being able to hike & bicycle around Japan once more, (now starting to plan a trip…)
Stunning nature; natural hot springs; fascinating history & culture; delicious food; and of course not least of all, the famed Japanese hospitality is what wants me to keep on visiting….
Best wishes
Alan
Much appreciated. Look forward to reading more.