When the differential between average daytime highs and average nighttime lows are 10 degrees Celsius or more, hormones within the various deciduous species of maple, poplar, camphor, birch and others duly begin the process of changing color and dropping the spent foliage for the year.
Some areas in Nara have already begun and probably a good two weeks earlier than last year. Not that it has necessarily been noticably cold compared to last year, but rather typhoons and ongoing unstable weather have caused somewhat lower average temperatures. A few regions in Hyogo Prefecture and Kyoto are also well into the change.
This photo was taken in the woods around Muro-ji, a beautiful place near Hase-dera east of Sakurai on routes 165 and 166. There is some elevation here and this mountain side lies in the lee of any warm morning light. It has thus already felt the bite. Students at the Smith’s School of English in Kotoen スミス英会話 甲東園 are already talking about it and although a discussion was had regarding a school outing to the area to view, it doesn’t seem that likely because of the distance and travel time involved.
The important point is that if you have the chance to get down there within the next two or three weeks, you certainly won’t be sorry. Drive carefully.
Martin Werner Zander
マーティン・ワーナー・ザンダー
Smith’s School of English Kotoen 月謝制 Real Monthly Tuition English Conversation School
Leave a Reply