The maple leaves with a thousand colors: Kôyô

Autumn is a long-awaited season for many Japanese. The announcement of arrival of Koyo season, the redness of autumn leaves is appreciated in Japan. For this occasion, many Japanese people are traveling across the country to have glorious view of koyo colors.
The contemplation of the Japanese maples, called momijigari, is comparable to the period of picnics under the sakura in bloom, ohanami.

Few tourists did not attend the sakura bloom during the spring. On the contrary, the redness of maple leaves is much less known throughout the world. This moment is yet a show with vibrant colors giving rise to a fabulous and magical atmosphere.

However, in Japan, there are varieties of maples that are different from each other and very distinct colors. For example, some trees are small while others can grow to over 4 meters in height. Here are some more or less popular:

Acer palmatum, otherwise called "Orange dream"

A slightly different variety, its maximum height is about 2 meters. During the spring its leaves are yellow-orange.

Acer japonicum "Vitifolium"

Known here as Japanese maple, this tree can grow to about 3 meters high. These leaves are still different from other maple trees, and famous for their colors that can turn orange and red during the fall.

Acer palmatum "Butterfly"

This maple has colors very different from its cousins. Generally, its leaves are green margins of creamy white. Its height is about 2.5 meters.

Of course there are many other varieties of maples that can be found directly in Japan during the momijigari season.


As for sakura bloom, the maple leaves change in color, depending on the region, at very different dates. In terms of climate, each year can see the dates of kôyô change. Here are some estimates:

in areas north of Japan:

• Hokkaido: Between mid-September and early November (for later)
• Tohoku: early October to late November

in the central areas of Japan:

• Tokyo: mid-November to mid-December
• Fuji: end of October to mid-November
• Osaka / Kyoto: mid-November to early December

in areas south of Japan:

• Kyushu Island: early November to mid-December.

There are parks or gardens not far from the cities where it is possible to admire the colorful maple trees with thousand lights. Here are some places where it is possible to find them:

• Rikugi Garden, north of Tokyo, will offer you breathtaking colors. At night, trees near the lake are illuminated highlighting their majestic posture. The garden is also polular spot for ohanami.

• Ueno park, a very famous park, is the perfect place to observe a little over 9,000 trees while staying inside Tokyo

• Kyoto's Eikando Temple is an incredible mix of Japanese culture and the nature. If you wish, you can even enjoy a tea tasting among the trees

• Mt. Fuji: At the foot of Mt. Fuji is several lakes and around each, it is possible to observe the maple leaves with a landscape quite unique in the world. There is a "Momiji-kairou corridor" near Kawaguchi-ko lake, where you can walk along the corridor surrounded by maple trees. 

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