A Day Trip from Tokyo to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves: Hakone, Kamakura and More!
Autumn in Japan is a great season for sightseeing, with good weather and spectacular views of autumn leaves. Kanagawa is next to Tokyo and has many famous spots for viewing autumn leaves, so it is a recommended place for those planning to travel to Japan with Tokyo as their base. In this article, we...
" Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas, provided by Lovegraph Co., Ltd , one of Japan's largest on-location photography session businesses.
If you use the coupon code "MCM-21036" when applying, you can get a 5% discount and experience a professional photo shoot!
Please take a look at the following article for more information about shooting with "Capture My Japan".
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Table of Contents
- Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
- Hakone Gora
- Sankeien Garden
- Hasedera Temple
- Meigetsuin Temple
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- Okuyugawara
- Lake Sagami Arashiyama
- When is the Autumn Foliage Season in Kanagawa?
- Points to Note When Viewing
- Contact Capture My Japan for Best Autumn Leaves Photography
Hakone Komagatake Ropeway
The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway is a ropeway that takes you to the summit of Hakone Komagatake, which is 1,327 meters above sea level, from which you can see Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, the Shonan coast, and more. Komagatake is especially popular in autumn, when the trees turn red and yellow, allowing you to take an aerial stroll on the ropeway through the spectacular scenery.
When the air is clear, you can see both the autumn leaves and Mt. Fuji at the same time. Hakone is a tourist destination with many sights, so we recommend staying there for a few nights and taking the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway on a day with good conditions.
Hakone Gora
Hakone is one of Kanagawa's most famous tourist destinations, and Gora and its surrounding areas have many spots where you can see beautiful autumn leaves.
Among the Gora areas, the Hakone Museum of Art is a popular tourist spot where you can see the beautiful scenery of autumn leaves. You can see a spectacular view with a beautiful contrast of colors, such as the green moss garden and the red maple leaves. It is also popular because you can see rose flowers along with the autumn leaves.
There are also several other famous spots for viewing autumn leaves, such as Hakone Gora Park, where you can enjoy the autumn leaves for free, and Horaien Garden, which is within walking distance from Hakone Gora Park. Be sure to use Gora as your starting point for your autumn sightseeing in Hakone.
Sankeien Garden
Sankeien is a historic Japanese garden that opened in 1906. It is located in Yokohama, one of Japan's leading downtown areas, and yet you can hardly see any buildings outside the garden from inside, creating a view that makes you feel as if you have traveled back in time, making it a popular photo spot.
Sankeien is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is especially popular in autumn, when the golden ginkgo trees and bright red maples spread out before you. During this season, the leaves and old buildings are lit up at night only on weekends, so be sure to time your visit accordingly.
Hasedera Temple
Hasedera Temple is located in Kamakura, a city easily accessible from Tokyo and with many sightseeing spots where you can experience Japanese history. It is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kamakura. Different flowers decorate the temple grounds every season, and there is also a walking path where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea.
It is also famous for its beautiful autumn foliage, and special night-time viewing is held during the autumn foliage season, making it the only place in Kamakura where you can see illuminated autumn foliage.
It is said that if you can find all three "Smiling Jizo Statues" within the shrine grounds, you will be blessed with good fortune in love, so be sure to try searching for them while enjoying the autumn leaves.
Meigetsuin Temple
Meigetsuin Temple, located in the same Kamakura area as Hasedera Temple, is famous for the beautiful hydrangeas that can be seen during the rainy season. However, it is also a beautiful place to see the red and yellow leaves of autumn. During this time, the garden behind the main hall, which is usually closed to the public, is open to the public.
You can also see beautiful autumn leaves on the way from Kita-Kamakura Station to Meigetsuin Temple, so be sure to enjoy a walk through autumn in Kamakura.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shrine that represents Kamakura, and in recent years has become popular as a power spot that brings luck in winning and career advancement. The standard tourist route to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is to walk from Kamakura Station through Komachi-dori, which is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is crowded with tourists and local worshippers all year round, but is also popular in autumn for its beautiful autumn leaves. The combination of the vermilion-painted shrine buildings and bridge with the autumn leaves creates a beautiful scene that is typical of autumn in Japan.
However, around November, when the autumn leaves are at their most beautiful, there are also many visitors celebrating the traditional Japanese event of Shichi-Go-San, so please be careful not to get too engrossed in the autumn leaves and end up disturbing the visitors.
Okuyugawara
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Oku-Yugawara is a quaint and quiet inn town. It is the perfect place to refresh yourself while enjoying the slow pace of time and see the beautiful natural scenery of the four seasons.
In autumn, the maple trees planted along the streets of Okuyugawara turn a deep red. One way to enjoy Okuyugawara is to take a leisurely stroll while admiring the beautiful autumn scenery.
Lake Sagami Arashiyama
Lake Sagami , an artificial lake created with the completion of Sagami Dam, is a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves at the northern end of Kanagawa Prefecture. In autumn, the mountains surrounding the lake turn red and yellow. In particular, the autumn leaves of Arashiyama near Sagamiko Park create a beautiful sight as they are reflected in Lake Sagami.
There are also several other spots you can stop by to see the autumn leaves, such as the view from the observation deck on Mt. Ishirou and the autumn leaves on the road to Sagamiko Ohashi Bridge.
When is the Autumn Foliage Season in Kanagawa?
The main season for autumn leaves in Kanagawa is from mid-November to early December, but there are some places where the leaves begin to change color from early November and some places where you can enjoy them until mid-December.
Also, the best time to see the autumn leaves can vary slightly depending on the weather conditions of the year, so we recommend checking the official websites of the autumn foliage viewing spots to determine the best time to see the leaves.
Points to Note When Viewing
It's tempting to get up close and personal with the beautiful autumn leaves to take photos, but please refrain from breaking branches or tearing off leaves . Just enjoy the sight of them. If you want to take photos with colored leaves, it's a good idea to use leaves that have fallen to the ground.
Depending on the location, there are areas where entry is prohibited. In some places, photography is also prohibited. If more people start being selfish and thinking, "It's okay to just take a little photo," entry to the surrounding areas may also be prohibited. Please enjoy yourself by following the local rules.
It's a great spot for photogenic of autumn leaves, but please remember to be considerate of your surroundings when taking photos . Selfie sticks and tripods may be a nuisance to those around you. In some places, their use is prohibited. Please be mindful of your surroundings and use with caution.
A big problem in Japanese tourist destinations is littering by tourists. This isn't limited to when viewing autumn leaves, but please be sure to take any trash you produce home with you.
Contact Capture My Japan for Best Autumn Leaves Photography
Why not ask a professional photographer to take a commemorative photo of you with the autumn leaves of Japan?
With " Capture My Japan ," you can shoot at any location in Japan you like. The photographer in charge will handle any permission applications for locations that are difficult to obtain in Japanese. The photographer who can speak English will communicate closely with you while shooting, so even those who are not confident in Japanese will have no problem.
The rate for "Capture My Japan" starts from 49,500 yen per hour (including 50 edited photos). Currently, you can get a 5% discount on your photography experience by entering coupon code " MCM-21036 " when applying. If you're considering requesting services from Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!
Official website: https://capturemy.jp/
Photographer: https://lovegraph.notion.site/Photographers-2e00aa4468c0438dafe5ce576dd39be7
"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
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