“Koyo” is Japanese for “colourful autumn leaves” and I recently travelled to Kyoto for a day to catch the end of the season there. Koyo season in Japan extends from late September to early December, although 2011 has been a little warmer in Japan on average and the colour in the trees has stayed a week or so longer. Kyoto is famous for its temples and shrines, which make a fantastic stage for viewing the reds, golds and yellows of “koyo”.
The weather was not real good – I woke in the morning to grey skies and rain, and I was feeling disillusioned about the day as I headed out to Arishiyama, east of Kyoto, and my first temple stop. But they say: “every cloud has a silver lining” and this was never truer that day. Not only was I rewarded with some spectacular clouds and misty backgrounds, plus dark, shiny, wet temple roofs, but of course in the rain everyone carries an UMBRELLA, and the colour of the trees was nicely juxtaposed with the colourful brollies swirling underneath.
I had to buy a cheap brollie myself, which was a rather boring, transparent plastic thing. However, after walking around under the trees for an hour or so I realised it had become decorated with fallen multi-coloured maple leaves, and it was amazingly popular with the Japanese! Everybody wanted to stop, chat and have their photo taken with me (or with my brollie at least)! I become an instant hit with girls from the ages of 18 to 80. I have learned the secret of attracting Japanese women! Hahahah.
Check out the full range of the day’s colour by CLICKING HERE
Tenryuji Temple, Arishiyama.
Bamboo groves, Arishiyama.
Colour everywhere: natural and made-made.
The famous Togetsukyo Bridge at Arishiyama. A great background and the image is made more interesting with the parade of colourful umbrellas.
This is my umbrella - it became quite a hit!
Eikando Temple roof detail.
Eikando Temple.
