Autumn Color Report: Nikko

Joe's Japan Travel Journal
by Joe, staff writer of japan-guide.com

2015/10/06 - Autumn Color Report: Nikko
by joe

Japan's autumn color season is undoubtedly in full swing this week, as the color "front" has been bursting to life across Japan's northern mountain peaks and highlands. Continuing our coverage of this year's changing leaves, I headed to Nikko National Park today to check on the state of one of the most popular spots in the country to catch the changing color.

While just a couple hours north of Tokyo, which generally sees its urban parks and ginkgo-lined lanes change colors around early November, the highest parts of Nikko have already started hitting their peak color. The greater Nikko area covers a nearly 2000-meter elevation range, with the fall colors beginning in the high elevations and spreading down torwards the lower town area over the course of about a month, giving leaf-watchers ample time to enjoy the season here.

I started my day early today, making my way first to the Okunikko area of the park. Perched over 1200 meters above sea level, Okunikko was beautifully colorful this morning. My first stop was at the high Yunoko Lake (1475 meters) near the Nikko Yumoto onsen. The leaves around the lake are definitely approaching their peak.

The leaves are changing fast around Lake Yunoko, and probably peaking this week

A photographer taking in the amazing hot-spring-tinted lake and autumn colors

Delicate susuki (pampas grass), almost suspended in time

A little further down from the Yumoto area, Senjogahara Marsh's tall grasses and surrounding forest were already their signature deep autumnal gold. A fantastic wooden path surrounds the marshland making for a pleasant walk with some beautiful views of the flat marsh, contrasted by the hulking Mount Nantai in the distance.

Artists capturing the expansive Senjogahara marshland

There was a virtual army of elementary school students (and teachers) visiting Nikko today!

The Senjogahara marshland grasses were a beautiful golden color

Mount Nantai looming over Senjogahara, susuki, and sasa (alpine bamboo)

Pockets of color were popping out everywhere in the higher parts of Nikko

Next to Senjogahara, the upper viewpoint of the Ryuzu-no-taki Cascade was stunning this morning, nearly at its peak color. Further down, the base of the falls were, interestingly, were still a little greener. The entire area, though, should be in full color by the upcoming 3-day weekend.

The top of the Ryuzu-no-taki cascade is hitting its peak color now

The lower Ryuzu-no-taki Falls, close to having some great colorful

Burning red momiji (Japanese maple) near Ryuzu-no-taki

My last stop for the day was at the lowest part of Okunikko, which is situated around the shores of the glassy mountain lake Chuzenjiko. Chuzenjiko's surrounding foliage is still a bit greener than the upper parts of Okunikko, though the mountainsides trees are already starting to show a lot of color in patches. In another week or two, this area should also be at peak color, including the magnificent Kegon Falls (the trees around which were already turning color nicely).

The trees around Lake Chuzenjiko's shores are just changing color now, and might be in full color in another week or two

The mountains around Chuzenjiko are still a bit green, but not for long

The foliage around Kegon Falls is right on the edge of turning

Many of the trees around Kegon Falls are already looking pretty spectacular

Just another week or so, and this road will be drenched in red and yellow

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