Nikko: Approaching Peak

Today I travelled to Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, two hours by train from Tokyo. The area's altitude differential of around 2000 meters (from the highest point of Okunikko to the town down at the bottom) allows for nice autumn colors to be seen throughout the month of October. This makes Nikko one of the most popular color viewing spots in the country.

Due to above-average temperatures of the past months, the colors in Nikko seem to be 1-2 weeks behind their average pace this year. However, the colors in the higher elevations were almost at their peak today, and with temperatures dropping in the following days, I expect them to be at their most vibrant at the beginning of next week. In the lower elevations, leaves were only starting to change, and I predict they will be approaching peak in a week from today.

The first stop on my list was the small hot spring town of Yumoto Onsen, in the higher elevations of Okunikko. As the fog was clearing out from the mountains surrounding Lake Yunoko, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the leaves were a lot more colored than expected.

I was even more surprised to see large sections of trees nearing peak color at the top of the Yudaki Waterfall. However, colors were still a bit shy at the bottom of the waterfall.

My next stop was the Senjogahara Marshland, popular for its grasses turning into a reddish yellow and its larch trees turning into a shiny gold. Although colors were visible, I felt that the trees had not quite reached their peak yet.

Ryuzu Waterfall was the highlight of my morning, displaying vibrant colors of orange, yellow and red. However, the leaves at the bottom of the waterfall were still a few days away from reaching their full potential.

I then made my way down to Nikko's most famous waterfall: the Kegon Waterfall. With warmer temperatures at this elevation, it was no surprise to see that leaves displayed few autumn colors.

Finally, I went further down into the town center of Nikko to check out the pretty landscape garden of Rinnoji Temple. Trees were still starting to change, however the beauty of the garden itself still made my visit a very pleasant one.