Tranquil autumn beauty in Japanese garden with vibrant foliage surrounding serene pond.
Tranquil autumn beauty in Japanese garden with vibrant foliage and serene pond.

Autumn Leaves in Tokyo

When Winnie the pooh is taking a walk with Christopher Robin in the 100 acre wood, it must have be autumn when they looked down the river, and suddenly there is everything you need to know.

It must have appeared lazy for us to publish an article about autumn leaves just before Christmas. But it is really the weather’s fault; the abnormality of it has greatly influenced this year’s harvest, not surprisingly also delayed the turning of colours in leaves. Now with the nice golden colour of 銀杏 (Ginkgo, as a matter of act this tree is endangered!) outside my window, let us start our journey.

Autumn Leaves - Yellow

Autumn Leaves - Mysterious Glimmer

The colour of autumn, instead of being red as for most Japanese, is actually a warm yellow or orange colour for me. Maybe this is because of the saying in Chinese “golden autumn”, or maybe it is simply regarding to the sparkling sunlight. The sun with the particular angle at this time of year, giving out its warmth through in between the leaves, bouncing on the river then finally landing in the pile of dry leaves. The playful light satisfies all my childish imagination, as if all the fairy tales I was told as a child happened under this particular ambiance. When Winnie the pooh is taking a walk with Christopher Robin in the 100 acre wood, it must have be autumn when they looked down the river, and suddenly there is everything you need to know.

Autumn Leaves - Nanushinotaki

Autumn Leaves - Rikugien Frame

Autumn Leaves - Rikugien Bridge

The traditional Japanese gardens always look amazing in photos. I would venture to say that they look better in photos then reality, especially in a busy season like now when leaves are changing colors. Japanese are seasonal creatures, every season there is a particular theme to follow; spring is 花見 (sakura blossom),  summer is お祭り (festival by the shrines where you watch performance and eat street food with traditional clothes), autumn is 紅葉 (red leaves) and winter is centered around お正月 (new year celebration).

Autumn Leaves - Rikugien Red

Autumn Leaves - Zen

autumn, daimon, japan, japanese, kanto, minato, minato-ku, natural, nature, tokyo

autumn, japan, japanese, kanto, minato, minato-ku, natural, nature, roppongi, tokyo

Autumn Leaves - Midtumn Walk

Autumn Leaves - Morning Dreamy Wander

Autumn Leaves - Midtown Park

The perception of autumn varies between cultures, but there are great similarity between Asian countries. In China and Japan, autumn bears the meaning of harvest. Thus in both countries, it is the season for food. Chinese people believe it is wise to eat a bit more than usual in autumn to prepare themselves for the severe winter, and Japanese believe autumn is the time to regain the lost appetite from the hot and humid summer. Both countries having a strong agricultural background, are to enjoy the golden harvest whole-heartedly.

Autumn Leaves - Midtumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves - Daimon

Autumn Leaves - Tree of Life

Autumn Leaves - Give It Me All

Autumn Leaves - Ruin

And after a long photo shooting day, we ended up in a nice old temple with an army of お地蔵様 (jizo) . Here they are having the appearance of innocent children, some are even making funny or grumpy faces. They are covered with red hats, and beside each of them a colourful pinwheel. They fact that they are the remembrances of the lost children always made me extremely sad; for each little jizo you can see the parents’ name. I wish they have all found their peace as time passes. Just as the falling leaves will always bring great blossom next spring, let us wish all the lost souls grand reincarnation in the next alternation.

japan, japanese

japan, japanese

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Crimson gates align, Hearts carved on love's scarlet path, Pines bend to dreams' sea. ---真紅の門 愛の道に刻み 松は夢の海へ曲がる ---#ShintoSpirit #ToriiGates #LoveInJapan #CoastalBeauty #SereneJapan #offbeatjapan #Japan
Lanterns softly glow, Timber frames embrace the snow, Silent warmth below. ランタンの光、 木枠に雪が舞い、 静かなる温もり。 #offbeatjapan #japan #snowyvillage #japanesearchitecture #tranquilbeauty #winterserenity #lanternlight
Crimson gate stands bold, Where verdant hills kiss the sea, Spirits rest at peace. --- 紅い門 緑の丘と海の 平和な魂 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #torii #coastlines #spiritualpeace #naturephotography
Scarlet sunlit hues, Torii whispers to the dawn— Nature's quiet shrine. --- 緋色の光、 鳥居は夜明けに囁く― 静かな神社。 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #spiritualjourney #sunrisevibes #hiddenjapan #natureandspirit
Whispers of spring's light, Sakura cascades unfurl, Nature's brushstrokes glow. 春の囁き、 桜滝のように、 自然の彩。 #sakura #springblossoms #japanphotography #japanesegarden #offbeatjapan #flowerwaterfall #japan
Warm mist embraces fur, In steamy whispers of earth, Harmony in gray. 暖かい霧が毛を包み、 大地の蒸気のささやきの中で、 灰色の調和。#snowmonkeys #serenity #japantravel #naturesbeauty #winterwonder #offbeatjapan #japan
Blue under shadows, Modern shapes meet aged whispers— Neon dreams linger. 青い影に、 現代と古の形が交わり— ネオンの夢。 #urbanjapan #neonnight #cityscape #offbeatjapan #japan #nightphotography #surrealcity #architecturecontrast
Stone Jizo embrace, Green whispers in gentle hues, Peaceful light cascades. ---石の地蔵 抱き合い緑の 囁き 優しい光 ---#jizostatues #serenebeauty #greenpeace #templevibes #offbeatjapan #japan #tranquilityvibes