It's time for Momiji Gari!

In Japan, it is said that autumn is one of the best season to go outside and enjoy outdoor activities. Unlike the other 3 seasons, the climate is much more pleasant to go out and enjoy nature, especially after the summer heat. Autumn is so important, that it’s often related to sport, art, and for gourmets, to the food. Personally, what I look forward to is momiji gari (紅葉狩り). In Japanese, “紅葉” can be read “momiji” (もみじ), that means maple, but also “kōyō” (こうよう), which refers to the leaves changing colors in autumn. Gari means "hunting". Momiji gari means the viewing of the autumn leaf color. The most popular trees are momiji, but there are also ichō (イチョウ) whose leaves turn yellow. With this article, I will explain how we can enjoy momiji in Japan.

The Fuji Momiji Matsuri 

In Japan, there are many well known spots to enjoy momiji. For example, momiji are often located in temples or shrines, it gives a very calm and particular atmosphere, typically Japanese. During the momiji season, there are often events related to the tea ceremony. You can enjoy a good matcha, while observing beautiful trees, in a very quiet place. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places for momiji gari is in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, near Mount Fuji.

Momiji Kairō (もみじ回廊), next to Lake Kawaguchi, at the foot of Mount Fuji, is a very famous place to observe momiji. Kairō means "corridor" in Japanese. At this place, the momiji form a corridor where you can walk through, even if it is not very long, it is beautiful! In the daytime, the color of the momiji is stunning, in the evening, the trees are illuminated to give a special atmosphere! When I went there, it was so beautiful I even did it 3 times in a row. For the occasion, a festival is held at this time, the Fuji Momiji Matsuri, with many food stalls. The icing on the cake, we can also see Mount Fuji, in addition to these beautiful momiji. If you get the chance, I really recommend going there at least once! 

Momiji patterns

In Japan, momiji leaves are often used as an autumnal pattern. For example, some are used to decorate the packaging of candies or tea bottles and beer cans! If you've been a long-time NihonBox & YattaJapan follower, you may be familiar with the momiji manjū (もみじ饅頭) from Hiroshima Prefecture. This is a traditional Japanese cake, shaped like a maple leaf. There are matcha, chocolate or even cream flavors. On Miyajima Island, in Hiroshima Prefecture, you can taste a version called age-momiji, which is, a fried momiji manjū. It's hot and really very different from the regular momiji manjū, but it's really good! 

Japanese people mostly enjoy momiji by traveling and eating. I like this season as much as the cherry blossom one! I recommend you to come to Japan at this time of the year and to enjoy a good picnic while observing the beauty of momiji! It really is the perfect season to spend time outdoors!

By Yuki ⋆⁺₊❅

Originally written for the October 2019 UmaiBox brochure