Autumn is the best season to enjoy the atmosphere of Karuizawa as the trees turn bright colors.
Here is a timeline of last year’s autumn foliage in Karuizawa. We hope you will find it useful for your autumn stroll.
Note that this year seems to be cooler than last year, so the timing of the color change may be a little earlier.<Click here for the Karuizawa Autumn Foliage Report 2013>.
October 16, 2012 Unba Pond
Last year, the leaves began to change color slightly in early October. This is Unba Pond where the leaves have just begun to change color. It is a peaceful scene with ducks quietly moving along the surface of the water in soft hues.
October 25, 2012 Ohga Hall
Yagasaki Park is just outside the north exit of Karuizawa Station. Inside the park, the Oga Hall is bordered in red by a hedge of dodan-tsutsuji azaleas. Yagasaki Park also has a small lake and a walking path that circles around the lake, making it a great spot for a relaxing walk while viewing the autumn leaves.
October 30, 2012 St. Paul’s Church
St. Paul’s Church is one of the symbols of Old Karuizawa. The beautiful gradation of autumn leaves colors this quaint wooden building. It is a perfect photo point.
October 31, 2012 Suwa Shrine
Suwa Shrine is tucked away on a back street one street back from the main street in Old Karuizawa. The vivid leaves of the old trees spreading on the carpet of moss paint a wonderful colorful scene. Recommended for those who want to enjoy the autumn leaves with tranquility.
November 1, 2012 Karuizawa Tagliacen
Lake Shiozawa in the Western-style atmosphere of the TLAC. The autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the lake are a wonderful sight. You can also enjoy the scenery while rowing a boat in a relaxed manner.
November 2, 2012: Former Mikasa Hotel / November 3, 2012: Unba Pond
The former Mikasa Hotel is designated as a national important cultural property. The colorful autumn leaves that overlap with the beautiful building are not to be missed. Unba Pond is colored deep red during this season. The contrast between the night sky, the surface of the water, and the autumn leaves is artistic.
November 7, 2012 Postscript
The Sherlock Holmes statue, one of the best spots for photography in Oppenheimer’s Square. The figure gazing at you with a pipe in his hand fits perfectly against the backdrop of the autumn leaves.
November 10, 2012 Usui Pass, Kumano Imperial Shrine
The shrine is one of the three great Kumano shrines in Japan and is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters on the border of Nagano and Gunma prefectures. In late autumn, autumn leaves fall on the approach to the shrine, delighting the eyes of visitors.
November 12, 2012 Mt. Asama
Mt. Asama where it snows for the third time. It is said that when it snows three times on Mt. Asama, it will also snow in the village. After this, the temperature dropped quickly and winter came to Karuizawa.
