The fall of Hida region comes down from the peaks of the Hida Mountains over 3000m at the end of September.
Fall leaves have already started at Hirayu-toge(between Nyukawa-cho and Oku-hida Onsengo) around October 9 and 10 when Takayama fall festival is held though it have not started in Takayama-city. Ginkgo leaves at Kokubunji-temple turn yellow around late-November.
Today, Photographer Hiroike teaches us the best photo spots for fall leaves in Hida.

If the following 2 requirements are satisfied, the fall leaves will be more beautiful.

【1】When the typhoon don’t hit directly

Leaves can be hurt by the storm though Hida which has the tangled mountains does not have strong wind usually.

【2】Temperature falls gradually and it does not snow in fall

It is said that fall leaves start when the temperature is lower than 7 to 8 degrees. If strong cold wave comes to Hida in fall, it will snow. Once the leaves turn the color and it snows, the leaves may wither.

We wonder how this year’s fall leaves are. Well then, let’s look the spots of fall leaves in Hida.

No 1. Shiroyama Park(Takayama-city)

It is located on the east side of Nakabashi-bridge and the ruins of the castle in Sengoku period. It is near the downtown, has lots of nature and maintained promenade.

Top: The beautiful contrast between red Nakabashi-bridge, blue sky and fall leaves

Above: The fall leaves tunnel along the promenade

【The best time to go to Shiroyama Park】

If you go there in the afternoon, you can take a picture of shining fall leaves using transmitted light. The reason why the tree exposes the leaves to the afternoon sun.

No 2. Higashiyamateramachi (Takayama-city)

There are many shrines and temples in the eastern hills in Takayama-city. You can see them along Higashiyama walking course. The then lord built them in imitation of Kyoto.

Top: The Japanese atmosphere with black bell tower and red leaves

Above left: The beautiful contrast with cedar forest and red leaves

Above right: Tenshoji Temple tunnel

No 3. Hie Shrine(Takayama city)

Hie shrine, which is deity of spring Takayama Festival, is located in the southern part of Takayama city. It is about 800m away from sightseeing spots such as the old street, so there are few visitors.

It is well-kept-secret place. There are a few local people, so you can have there to yourself. The place has brilliant and holy atmosphere.

Hie shrine in fall

No 4. Hida No Sato in Fall (Takayama-city)

Hida no sato(Hida folk village) is an open air museum reproduced traditional life style with private houses and daily tools.

Rice harvest in Kurumada(planting rice in a circle) in September is worth seeing. Kurumada is in Matsunoki-machi(Takayama-city) and Sado-city and Hida no sato imitated Matsunoki one. On the day when rice harvest, visitors can taste mochi made from the mochi rice there. They can also enjoy the beautiful landscape with fall leaves.

Left: Drying rice after reaping
Right: Jizo(Buddha) along the street with fall leaves

No 5. Hida Kokubunji Temple Ginkgo(Takayama-city)

The ginkgo in Hida Kokubunji temple turns the leaves from green to golden yellow in fall. It is said that if the green leaves fall before turning to yellow, Takayama will have heavy snow in winter. Local people are interested in when the leaves fall from the tree every year. After all leaves fall down, Takayama will have the first snowfall of the season.

About 1250 years old, 28 meters high, the national natural monument

【How amazing the falling leaves are】

If the leaves fall in a day, people can hear the sounds like yellow shower. The fell leaves look like a yellow carpet.

No 6. Fukuzenji Temple Gingko (Hida Furukawa)

Hida Furukawa is 30-minute-drive from Takayama. There is Seto-river along lined white walled houses. It is famous for Japanese anime Kimi-no-Na-wa(Your Name.).

Seto-river has lots of big carps and almost they grab people’s attention when strolling. Therefore, people cannot find the big gingko tree. The tree is 30 meters high and about 700 years old. When the leaves turn to yellow, people light up the tree.

Left: Lighting up gingko
Right: Upside down gingko tree reflected on the river

How was the best spots for fall leaves? Let’s enjoy the beautiful view with a camera.