Woman Taking a Photo of the Famous Ginkgo with a Painting in Front of Her
Today we take a look at what autumn is like in Tokyo. Many people remark that Japan is a beautiful country in the autumn. I will agree and coming from Vancouver where it feels like it is always green with its evergreen forests, it can be a little sad living in Tokyo just after autumn. Tokyo can be amazingly beautiful if you know where to look and the trees are magnificent this time of year. It is a short season where the leaves become golden, brilliant red, and every shade in between. Almost everywhere in Tokyo is colourful these days, and the Christmas lights do help with that at night as well. Kyoto may be the most famous place in Japan for autumn foliage but in Tokyo, I heard Tokyo University is the king, or at least one of the best places in Tokyo. I do have to agree but the autumn foliage season at Tokyo University is often a little late compared to other areas of Tokyo. Tokyo University is pretty famous for its ginkgo trees and ginkgo trees tend to change colour a little later than the other trees in Japan. I like to think of it as one last hurrah before winter really starts. It also makes me a little sad as it is a signal that winter is coming and with it, the cold weather and drab lifeless looking trees. At least it won’t be long till the weather starts to warm up again.
Tokyo University Ginkgo Trees
The Famous Todai Ginkgo Tree
Kids Playing with Ginkgo Leaves at Tokyo University
Sea of Yellow Ginkgo Leaves
If you want to see the full set of images, head over to the Google+ page or the Facebook Page where they all of my autumn photos will be posted.
What I like of those gingko trees is not just the golden color of their leaves, but also the contrast with their dark bark. Really beautiful. The boulevard in Todai is just magnificent.
I never thought about it that way. If you want to learn about the trees, you should go to Ru’s old blog posts, if you haven’t already done that. 😀
I should create a new blog for my tree! 😀
You should but it might take too much time…
“I like to think of it as one last hurrah before winter really starts.” Love that line. I think we have one more week of red and gold, and then it’s going to be gray and blah and miserable till April.
I’m glad you could meet my tree! He told me you’re a fine gentleman. I said are you sure we’re talking about the same person? He said yes. 😀
Your Google+ photos are beautiful!
I wonder if your tree is getting a little too old. Me, a gentleman? :p
Glad you like my photos. 😀
I’ve never been to Todai before but the ginkgo trees look amazing both in your photos and the one’s I’ve seen on Ru’s blog. A lot of universities seem to have the avenue of ginkgo trees. Were the one’s at Todai male or female? My universities had the female trees so we literally could not use the main entrance during the fall because of the gin-nan smell!
We have a lot of ginkgo trees around Nishi-shinjuku and what I love about it is that depending on where they stand, some are in the shade more than others, so our peak season varies and we get to enjoy the brilliant yellow for a longer period of time. Yay for fall! 😀
It was Ru who encouraged me to go to Todai. I think they are all males, but I could be wrong. It is such a beautiful sight.
I remember the trees in Nishi-Shinjuku very well. I used to walk around there all the time. The trees in Chuo-koen are very lovely too. I should go back next year, but not too sure.
Very late answer, but … there are plenty of female trees towards the library. The nuts stick to your shoes, so even my genkan was smelly for a few days! (>_<)
The trees in Nishi-Shinjuku are at their peak right now. You can get stunning shots of the yellow trees against the tall buildings.
Oh. Wait. No, not so late. I actually responded only two hours after Dru. That’s early based on Africa standards. :p
Now I want to go back to Nishi-Shinjuku. Won’t be there till next Thursday, but won’t have time to walk around. 🙁
Nishi-Shinjuku is pretty bright and colorful these days! The ginkgo trees along Sonpo Japan Bldg are just turning yellow and all you have to do is walk above ground and you’ll see more 😀
If I have time next Thursday, I’ll try to check it out, but this month I have to leave Shinjuku pretty quickly. 🙁 You can always take more pics for me. 😉