Foxes in Gunma
Foxes in Gunma

Autumn at Sakurayama & Rikugien

Sakurayama is a unique place in Japan : this is a mountain where koyo (autumn’s leaves) and sakura (cherry blossom) gather in an original union.

Sakurayama is a unique place in Japan : this is a mountain where koyo (autumn’s leaves) and sakura (cherry blossom) gather in an original union.

Sakurayama Path

Sakurayama and its Fuyuzakura

There are clouds far off, and we can already feel the air moistened. The rain is close and I have to hurry taking pictures ! After a little intensif trek, but short (20 minutes), we’re at the top of Sakuyama, the ‘Sakura’s mountain’, from where we can enjoy the famous Fuyuzakura (winter’s sakura).

Sakura Surrounded by Autumn Leaves

Delicate Winter Sakura

Fuyuzakura (Winter Blossom)

Subtle Winter Sakura

Sakura and Autumn Leave

Camellia in Autumn

Isn’t beautiful this blend of autumn’s leaves and sakuras ? I wished to take better pictures but unfortunately we’re really not pampered by the weather. Half an hour after our arrival, it’s hail falling on us!

We go back in car and on the road we come across a couple of cute little foxes. I stop the car and they turn around us, not scared at all ! Great moment.

Japanese Fox

Haruna Shrine (榛名神社)

Haruna is a old shinto sanctuary dating 586. We go very quickly because of the bad weather and the cold, but this is an interesting place to visit (be careful, the walk to the temple itself take time).

Haruna Shrine

Haruna Shrine Bridge

Dead Trees at Haruna Shrine

The spiciest Ramen!

The day passed quickly, and it’s already dinner time. Completely haphazardly, we end in a ramen at Maebashi, Gunma’s capital. An unusual place, a decoration from another time (it’s almost like a haikyo) and a rather funny menu. Me, I choose a spicy ramen : they say this is the most spicy ramen of the century, so I absolutely have to taste it, isn’t it?

The Spiciest Ramen

That happens the ramen broth is untouchable : you burn your taste buds at the slightest touch ! I order rice on the side, just to calm the first pains… and then I’m able to eat enough noodles – slowly – to calm the hunger that tears me ! I tasted an other ramen and it was delicious, a particular taste and extremely fat but perfect to conclude a fresh day like this one. Now it’s a small drawing of Dreamy, added to the golden book of those who savoured that super spicy dish !

Spiciest Ramen Drawing

Rikugien’s garden by night

In bonus, and because it’s not enough to devote an article to it, here it is two pictures taken in Rikugien’s garden. It is absolutely to visit in autumn, by night, and there is even kinds of lighting games with the steam.

Rikugien Garden Autumn By Night

Rikugien Autumn By Night

Translated by Éloise Bouvarel.

Special thanks to my old Canon 7D which was here, replacing my Nikon D800 (slightly messed up by the trip to Okinawa) for all those pictures and which made an honest job. ^^

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

commentaires

  • I really do love those fall pictures.
    Hopefully you are able to someday return and take more for those of us unable to be there.

    • Hello Andrew 🙂 Thanks for your comment. My posts are being translated into English from French and it has been a bit hectic: I actually went back to this place and… that is covered in the post previous to this one 🙂 I really must clean my website sometimes and re-organize it…

Who Am I

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

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Golden skies embrace, Waves whisper secrets to cliffs— Twilight's gentle kiss. ---黄金の空 波が崖にささやく— 黄昏の優しいキス ---#sunsetmagic #coastaldreams #explorejp #serenebeauty #oceanglow #offbeatjapan #japan
White forms dance skyward, Green mountains cradle the art, Under cloud-kissed blue. 白い形空へ舞う、 緑の山が芸術を抱き、 雲にキスした青の下で。#sculptureart #japaneseart #naturemeetsart #modernsculpture #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography
Darkened stalls await, Whispers of daikagura, Colors in silence. 暗い屋台、 大神楽の囁き、 色の静寂。#offbeatjapan #japan #daikagura #festivalmood #moodytones #wanderlust #hiddenjapan #haiku
Stone pagoda stands, Cosmos in bloom, moon above— Tranquil whispers hum. ---石塔立つ コスモス咲き、月上に— 静寂の囁き ---#offbeatjapan #japan #explorejapan #hiddenjapan #naturephotography #pagoda #serenity #cosmosflowers
Electric rivers, Neon veins pulse through the night— Silent power flows. 電気の川 夜に脈打つネオン— 静かな力が流れる #industrialjapan #neonlights #japanbynight #technologymagic #urbanreflections #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet gates basking, Lanterns whisper in the night— Ancient spirits glow. 朱色の鳥居 夜に囁く灯籠 古の魂光る #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #nightmagic #kyoto #shinto #lanternlight #sacredpathway
Blue neon whispers, Winter's glow on sacred paths— Snow dreams softly fall. 青いネオン 聖なる道に舞う、 雪の夢。 #offbeatjapan #japan #neonatnight #winterinJapan #snowyscenes #japanphotos #urbanmagic
Scarlet lantern lights, Leading through nature's embrace— A temple's whisper.赤き灯火 緑に包まれて 寺の囁き#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalpath #sacredsteps #traditionallanterns #spiritualretreat #templejourney