Autumn Colours of Japan Round Up November 2024 by Kaarie Stephens

What a wonderful time we had in Japan celebrating the beautiful autumn weather and the golden red hues, mostly Ginko and Maple. Combined with cultural experiences and sightseeing, this was the perfect trip. A sushi class making hosomaki, futomaki, and nigiri sushi, an etiquette lesson with a dance component and, a delicious tempura dinner with our favourite plum wine on a traditional Japanese houseboat on Sumida River was how we got started in Tokyo. Fun times bonding and making new friends, we sang karaoke together and kicked up our heels!

Hitting the road, we stayed at a fabulous onsen in the mountains where nearby we had a full view of Mt Fuji from many angles. A beautiful blue sky with perfect conditions, rare and special, we were the golden girls! In the evenings in Hakone, we loved wearing yukata and bathing in our private hot spring baths. Walking through the forest to Monkey Park, we enjoyed watching the snow monkeys in the hot mineral baths.

We stayed in a historical ryokan next, and had a wonderful dinner banquet. Kaiseki food was a highlight of our travels, each dish was a work of art. Admiring the lush scenes driving through the Japan Alps, we made our way to Takayama where shopping was at it's best. Then in Kanazawa, we visited Kenrokuen gardens, one of the best gardens in Japan with absolutely beautiful autumn leaves and views of Kanazawa Castle nearby.

Highlights of Kyoto, the ancient capital, were walking through the bamboo groves in our beautiful kimonos with lots of smiles all round. Dinner with a geisha was another with interesting conversation, drinking games and musical performances. Not to mention the golden pavilion Kinkakuji that was glowing in the sunlight in an unforgettable setting.

Miyajima, Hiroshima and Osaka followed, with more insights into Japanese culture and history. We loved the bullet train to and from Hiroshima, the ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima and the food and fun on the streets of Osaka. It was an amazing time to explore Japan together. Looking forward to the cherry Blossoms next.....springtime in March.