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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Lush cliffs guard the sea, Deep blues kiss rocky outcrops, Isle whispers secrets.豊かな崖 青海と岩を抱く 島が囁く#offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #coastallandscape #naturephotography #japan #serenebeauty #wanderlust
Emerald river, Concrete whispers through green trees— Harmony awakes.エメラルド川、 緑木々を抜ける音— 調和が目を覚ます。#hydropower #natureandtech #emeraldgreen #sustainableenergy #offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #japan
Doll faces whisper, In kimono dreams they rest, Lifelike hues of peace. 関風と囁く、 着物の夢に眠る、 平和の色。#offbeatjapan #japan #hinamatsuri #traditionalcrafts #japanesedolls #kimonolove #serenebeauty
Golden sun awakens, Whispering mist hugs green hills— Sky's mirror below. ---金色の太陽が目覚め、 囁く霧が緑の丘を包む— 空は下を映す。 ---#tanada #offbeatjapan #serenesunrise #japanlandscapes #mysticalmorning #ruraljapan #traditionalagriculture #japan
Sacred roof stands tall, Amid urban whispers hum— Time weaves old and new. 古き屋根、 街のささやき中、 時が編む。 #onochiciview #templevscity #ancientandmodern #urbanserenity #hillscapes #offbeatjapan #japan
Crimson dreams whisper, Wooden echoes of the past, In tranquil embrace.  赤夢囁く、 過去の木の響き、 静かな抱擁。  #DarumaDreams #ShrineQuietude #SereneJapan #RuralRetreat #CulturalSymbols #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden grasses sway, Ferris wheel rusts under sky— Blue, pink whispers past.---金色の草が揺れる、 錆びた観覧車の下で— 青とピンクの囁きが通り過ぎる。---#offbeatjapan #japan #haikyo #abandonedplaces #amusementpark #ferriswheel #nostalgia #urbanexploration
Emerald whispers, Jizo in crimson repose, Peace in quiet woods.---翡翠のささやき、 赤き地蔵の静寂、 静かな森の安らぎ。---#sacredjapan #jizostatue #forestbathing #serenity #spiritualjapan #offbeatjapan #japan