Hokkaido

Trans-Hokkaido Autumn Foliage Chase

Go north on Route 38 and enjoy Japan's earliest autumn!

Takako Sakamoto Sep 23, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Overlooking Mt. Tokachi from the hills of Biei</p>

<p>Autumn foliage at its peak in late October on the shore of Lake Kanayama in Minamifurano</p>

<p>Heading toward Furano on Route 38, I kept taking photos while driving!</p>

<p>The sky was blue and high...great weather for viewing autumn leaves!</p>

<p>The color of autumn leaves in Hokkaido is a little different from the color in other parts of Japan</p>

<p>Autumn foliage here shines gold, rather than vermilion or red</p>

<p>Enjoy the short autumn in the north country!</p>

<p>I navigated my way along a farmland to reach this vantage point with commanding views of Mt. Tokachi</p>

<p>I was almost too late but made it! Only the area near the snow-covered top of Mt. Tokachi is shining from the setting sun, with the moon in the sky...this is what I came here for!</p>

<p>The sun is rising from the Sea of Okhotsk, viewed in Monbetsu city</p>

<p>In Monbetsu city, temperatures in early morning in late October are in the single digits. Above the horizon, something like a mirage can be seen</p>

Around October 20th in 2011, I visited Hokkaido with my friends.

Although I went there three years ago, I still have a clear memory of this trip in my mind. I enjoyed the short autumn on the vast northern land. In particular, I can't forget the magnificent view of Mt. Tokachi I saw from the hills of Biei - with her head covered with snow, she was just beautiful.

We landed at Chitose Airport, drove north on Route 38 via Shimukappu, and traveled through Hokkaido. On the way back we dropped by at Monbetsu city, and returned to Chitose Airport. We traveled quite a long distance in a very short time, but like us, autumn on this northern land comes and goes very quickly! So, come quick, otherwise you'll miss it!

Magnificent Nature of Hokkaido

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...