Momijigari: enjoying automn leaves
The Japanese have a word for the tradition of admiring autumn leaves, going from soft yellow to intense red tints: momijigari!
Momijigari comes from Japanese momiji, meaning red maple leaves, and kari, hunting. Traditionally, people visit the most beautiful places where leaves turn red, orange and yellow, just like they do with blooming cherry trees in spring for hanami. This goes back to the Heian era when nobles went out to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes while composing music or poems. During the Edo era, the custom spread to common people. The tradition is sometimes also called kôyô or kanpûkai in Hokkaido.
Many Japanese thus go to some the most famous places such as Kyôto or Nikkô. Some places are also famous for having grass that changes color, and also attract many visitors such as Oze national park. Leaves get their autumn colors first in the North of Japan in Hokkaido around mid-September and then go down South until late November.
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