Experience Nara’s Autumn Beauty | Nara, Japan Travel

Experience Nara’s Autumn Beauty | Nara, Japan Travel

Japan shows different faces with each season. Among them, autumn is a truly special season. At this time, the leaves turn colors and the air grows crisp. The ancient capital of Nara reveals its most beautiful scenery of the year. We will now introduce some of Nara’s must-see spots in autumn. Through this video, we hope you feel the charm of this land where nature and history coexist in harmony. Feel Japan offers travel ideas in Japan. Follow us and be inspired to discover the unknown wonders of Japan. If you like this video, give us a thumbs up. Your comments are also welcome. Nara Park spreads out in the heart of Nara City. It offers a beautiful landscape blending history and nature. Around 1,300 wild deer live here, greeting visitors warmly. Capturing deer and autumn leaves together is a unique experience here. Covering about 660 hectares, the park is also home to landmarks like Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The autumn foliage features a variety of colors from maples and ginkgo trees. The scenery in red, yellow, and orange harmonizes with historic buildings and deer, like a painting come to life. The riverside running through the park is a particularly scenic spot for maples. Daibutsu Pond, located behind Todai-ji, is a hidden gem. The fallen leaves of the giant ginkgo spread like a yellow carpet. Many photographers gather here to capture the scenery with deer. On Mount Wakakusa to the east, an observation deck offers panoramic views of the city and autumn colors. The summit can be reached not only by car but also on foot in about 30 minutes. Ukimi-do Hall, a hexagonal pavilion floating on Sagi Pond, is another popular foliage spot. On sunny days, the reflection of the leaves on the water creates a magical view. The peak viewing season is from mid-November to early December. For deep red scenery, early December is best. To enjoy the gradation from green to red, late November is recommended. It takes about one hour by train from central Nara. Hasedera is the head temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Founded in 686, it boasts over 1,300 years of history. In autumn, the temple grounds turn vibrant with colorful leaves, covering the mountain. The best time to visit is from mid-November to early December. During this season, the temple is crowded with worshippers and tourists. A long corridor of 399 steps leads from the Niomon Gate to the Main Hall. This corridor is a symbol of Hasedera. In autumn, the “Chrysanthemum Corridor” decorates the steps with colorful chrysanthemums. Together with the autumn leaves, they add vibrant beauty to the grounds. Because flowers bloom in every season, Hasedera is called the “Temple of Flowers.” Peonies in spring and hydrangeas in summer are especially famous. At the top stands the Main Hall, built in a stage-like style. Its construction is reminiscent of Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple. From here, you can see the mountains blanketed in autumn colors. The vermilion five-storied pagoda contrasts beautifully with the leaves, creating a picture-like view. It takes about one hour by train and bus from central Nara. Tanzan Shrine stands quietly in the mountains of Tonomine. The shrine buildings on the slope are surrounded by seasonal nature. Especially in autumn, the grounds are vividly colored by the foliage. Its symbolic 13-story pagoda is the only existing wooden one in Japan. Standing about 17 meters tall, its elegant form shines against the autumn leaves. The vermilion tower against the red and yellow maples. This contrast represents the shrine’s iconic scenery. The main hall and worship hall are designated Important Cultural Properties. Their ornate decorations even served as a model for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site in Tochigi. The mountain ranges of Tonomine seen from the grounds are also a must-see. The autumn-colored scenery resembles a scene from an illustrated scroll. The best time to see the leaves is from mid to late November. It takes about an hour and a half by train and bus from central Nara. Muro-ji is a mountain temple that stretches from the foot to the mid-slope of Mt. Muro. Cross the vermilion bridge over the river and proceed to the Niomon Gate. This area is especially beautiful in autumn. The grounds are filled with red and yellow leaves of maples and ginkgo trees, harmonizing with historic buildings to create a solemn atmosphere. The best viewing season is from mid-November to early December. During this period, the temple is illuminated, letting visitors enjoy the leaves at night. Muro-ji is the head temple of the Muro-ji sect of Shingon Buddhism and was once a place of training and study. Nearby Mount Koya,
the religious center of the same sect, once prohibited women from entering. Therefore, since women could visit Muro-ji, it became known as the “Koyasan for Women,” attracting many believers. The five-storied pagoda beside the main hall is the temple’s symbol. At about 16 meters tall, it is Japan’s smallest and the second oldest wooden pagoda. Further inside, long stone steps continue, characteristic of a mountain temple. Climbing nearly 400 steps leads you to the Inner Sanctuary. Those confident in their stamina should definitely give it a try. It takes about three hours by train and bus from central Nara. Mitarai Valley is a stunning gorge formed over many years. Its dynamic scenery includes waterfalls large and small, massive rocks, and countless trees. The emerald-green stream, clear to the bottom, is also captivating. A walking trail of about 8 km runs along the valley, taking roughly two hours to walk. From suspension bridges, you can look down on breathtaking waterfalls and views of the valley. In autumn, maples and other trees color the valley in reds and yellows. Though access is not convenient, many visitors come for this scenery. The peak foliage season is from early to mid-November. Due to its high elevation, autumn colors appear earlier here than in other parts of Nara. It takes about an hour and a half by train from central Nara. Mount Yoshino has long been known as a famous cherry blossom spot. In autumn, the cherry trees also change color, though less vividly. Therefore, it is not widely known as a foliage spot. However, some areas offer beautiful autumn scenery. Especially around the ropeway, the cherry trees turn orange, covering the area in color. Another highlight is the Takagiyama Observation Deck. Here, numerous maples turn a brilliant red. The best time to visit is from early to late November. We have introduced Nara’s autumn foliage spots—what did you think? From historic temples and shrines to scenic valleys, each place offers a unique autumn landscape. We hope this video inspires you to take a trip to Nara. Thank you for watching the video until the end. Please subscribe to this channel, give us a thumbs up, and leave a comment. Various links are listed in the overview. We welcome your recommendations and requests in the comments and on the social media.

Autumn in Nara transforms the ancient capital into a vibrant landscape of red and gold, where temples and shrines blend beautifully with nature.
This season invites travelers to experience the timeless charm of Japan through breathtaking scenery and serene moments.

Nara Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dYMAdMs2JZn1LDra8
Hase-dera Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yaZCxCbncXaLJt2Y8
Tanzan-jinja Shrine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wMyCsU1MwbfccxRz7
Murou-ji Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4He2P35w58N3KAy8
Mitarai Valley
https://maps.app.goo.gl/A477HNjVTsrJ2ZrS7
Mount Yoshino
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iEJPHSYoGtacDq2M6

The Amazing Beauty of Autumn in Kyoto, 17 Ultimate Fall Foliage Spots

Korankei Gorge in Autumn Leaves / The Historic Town Asuke

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00:00 Opening
00:21 Overview
02:31 Nara Park
07:37 Hase-dera Temple
12:15 Tanzan Shrine
15:16 Muro-ji Temple
19:59 Mitarai Valley
23:18 Mount Yoshino
25:35 Closing