Japan has one of the most distinct seasonal boundaries among Asia. Along with its excellent geographical environment, Japan has very distinctive changes for each season, and naturally, the seasonal foods produced in each of these four seasons are winning the hearts of many food lovers. To find out which seasonal delights can satisfy the hearts of gourmets, I have visited Japan numerous times. In autumn, the foliage is the very essence of the beauty of the season, and for the food lovers, the crab dishes are the must try food.
The most popular indoor spot for viewing autumn foliage in Kyoto: Ruriko-in Temple
Kyoto has been one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan. As the leaves and Ginkgo change color in autumn, foreign visitors ceaselessly flood into Japan. Although viewing spots are generally outdoors, Ruriko-in Temple (瑠璃光院) in Yase (八瀬) has been gaining popularity in recent years, mainly thanks to the beautiful sights it has to offer. With scenery that will take your breath away and an indoor resting area that complements the view, you will feel like you are in a fantasy world where time and space has stopped. Just by being in Ruriko-in, you will feel a calming peace that is indescribable with just words. This is a famous protected place loved by the aristocrats and samurai since the Heian period (794–1185). Ruriko-in is open to the public only during spring and autumn each year. The autumn viewing period for the year 2018 is from October 1 through December 10. Visitors who come to Ruriko-in can also experience Sutra copying (an act that cleanses the heart through writing), and may also choose to have a sip of warm tea in the garden while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Japan’s autumn. There are a few things that visitors should note when visiting Ruriko-in. When taking a picture, the usage of flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks is prohibited.
The entry fee is 2,000 yen, which is slightly more expensive when compared to other places. However, you would also be able to witness a breathtaking sight no other place on earth can show you, so I believe the price is rather reasonable.
Kyoto’s most famous spot for viewing illuminated autumn foliage at night: Kodaiji Temple
Ranked 2nd among the best places to view autumn leaves in Japan by a 2017 autumn foliage information site, Kodaiji (高台寺) is a temple near Kiyomizudera (清水寺, one of the World Heritage Sites) in Higashiyama and one of the most popular autumn foliage spots in Kyoto Prefecture. If you come to Higashiyama, visit Kiyomizudera, Yasaka-jinja, and Gion during the daytime, and enjoy the illuminated autumn leaves at Koudaiji at night.
When Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉, one of the past feudal lords of Japan) passed away, his wife Nene built this temple to pray for her deceased husband’s soul. While the Japanese garden around the temple already has its own pure elegance, the thing that attracts the tourists the most is the autumn foliage in the garden. The illuminated autumn leaves are reflected on the surface of the lake, producing a scene with a beauty that will take your breath away for an unforgettable page in your life’s journey.
Where to find the best crab in autumn? Try visiting Hakodate in Hokkaido.
If you use the JAL Japan Explorer Pass (JEP) fare, which is a simple and affordable fare for visitors traveling to Japan, you can travel one way from Osaka to Hakodate, Hokkaido for only 10,800 yen. In Hakodate where the freshest delicious autumn crab can be found, your food-loving heart will definitely be satisfied while enjoying the very best Japanese hospitality.
If you come to Hokkaido, there are 3 types of crab you must try: the red king crab, the snow crab, and the horsehair crab. These 3 types of crab can only survive in the cold seas. Due to the coldness of Hokkaido, the true taste of these crabs can be brought out. If these fresh crabs are what your gourmet soul wants, you should visit the morning market in Hakodate.
You can choose the crab you like on the spot and ask the chef to cook it for you. You can also decide whether you want them to steam it or fry it. If you plan to eat a wide variety of crab, there are a number of restaurants that offer an all-you-can-eat crab buffet. There are also dishes such as crab Nabe (hot pot) as well. A red crab dish will satisfy both your visual and taste sensors. You will also be surprised by the breakfast prepared by the hotels in Hakodate. One of the most common dishes in the breakfast buffet is the Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl). For seafood lovers, look no further than Hakodate. Of course, after satisfying your food-loving heart, don’t forget to enjoy the night view Mt. Hakodate can offer.
The most authentic Japan trip
When traveling to Japan in the autumn, Kyoto is the place to be if you are after the beauty of the autumn leaves, and Hakodate is where you should go if the autumn crab is what you are after. And for such an important trip, you will need an assistant to make your dreams come true. That’s where JAL Japan Explorer Pass (JEP) comes in. The time needed from Osaka to Hakodate is only 1 hour 50 minutes one way by air. While trying Japanese local dishes, you can also venture around Hakodate, doubling the enjoyment from a single trip to Japan.
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