autumn leaves kofu kurobe gorge kansai

Hello.

I am going to Japan to view autumn leaves in Nov.
May i ask how i can catch best views of peak autumn leaves
ALL in the same period Nov 15th to 20th at these places/ cities?

1. Shosenkyo Gorge -Kofu Yamanashi
2. Kurobe Gorge

3 Kyoto
4. Nara

it seems best views for no. 1&2 is in early Nov
and no. 3&4 is in late Nov.

If i travelled there 15th to 20th Nov.
will i be able to achieve my goal?
Catch the best autumn leaf colour
in all 4 places?

Your advice, please.

Many thanks

cherrychua

Kofu is at higher elevation so the leaves should turn earlier there compared to places at lower elevation (like Nara and Kyoto).

http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/tag/shosenkyo/

it seems best views for no. 1&2 is in early Nov
and no. 3&4 is in late Nov.

You are not wrong.
Your timing could be too late for Kurobe Gorge, but perfect for Kyoto.

Mr Shinji

Thanks for your prompt response.

Which date would you advise if i planned to see autumn leaves at their peak at these places?

1. Shoshenkyo Gorge

2. Kurobe Gorge

3. Kyoto mountains nearby e.g Mt Hiei or Uji

4. Nara Hasedera temple and Mt Yoshino

5. Mt Koya in Wakayama

I am trying to see these places ALL on One Trip
in 7 - 8 days. I am willing to exclude one or two not so compelling places. Would appreciate your opinion on the best places and to omit a couple of them.

Is that achievable?

Much obliged.

Cherrychua

Thank you too Acase san

Still no one answers. Is that such a challenging a question?

Tx

Overall, mid November sounds like good timing if you want to combine them all.

1. Shoshenkyo Gorge

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6952.html
Late October to mid November
Note correct spelling: Shosenkyo

2. Kurobe Gorge

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7575.html
Mid October to mid November

3. Kyoto mountains nearby e.g Mt Hiei or Uji

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3953.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3979.html
Mount Hiei is usually a few days ahead of central Kyoto around mid November. Uji is the same as Kyoto around late November.

4. Nara Hasedera temple and Mt Yoshino

Hasedera is around mid to late November.
Yoshino around early to late November.

5. Mt Koya in Wakayama

Late October to early November.

But as you know, the timing can vary quite a bit from year to year according to temperatures.

Uji san

Thanks so much for your time and effort.

I may have to concentrate on one party at a time.

Am now considering 1. Shinhotaka. (End October (latest))

followed by 2. Kuribe Gorge (end October)

ending with 3. Shosenkyo (oops!spent wrongly before)
Peak is mid November there at Kofu.
(early November (may be too early for peak colours)

I will hv to sacrifice no. 1 or no. 3.

Which in your opinion and experience is more worthwhile visiting.? I am not a hiker. Neither do i enjoy walking.

If i am only able to achieve two out of three of the above
i think ìt is not worth my whole to fly 7 hrs to Japan just for those two. What cani do the next 4 -5 days?
My main aim is to see autumn leaves (my 5th time but never enough).

Do you think that going to Kansai side is more worthwhile?
Have been there few times during autumn too but at least there will be more NEW places for me to explore.
I stand corrected.

Your suggestions will be much appreciated.

Cherry Chua

typo - sorry

"one part" "spelt wrongly" "worth my while"

Tx

I visited Shinhotaka Nov 1st two years ago.
Then the autumn leave on top of the mountain was virtually gone; however , still nice colour in the low laying areas.
I understand that Shinhotaka is well known for their mountain scenery, but am unsure if their Koyo is.
If you are going there purely for koyo, you could be disappointed.


followed by 2. Kurobe Gorge (end October)

This could be too early. I was there 7th Nov 2013, it was still very green in the Unazuki-onsen areas.
However, the koyo was at its best deep in Keyakidaira and the Babadani areas ( One of the best koyo and mountain scenery I have ever seen)
I have noticed that you " I am not a hiker. Neither do i enjoy walking." . This could present a bit of challenge if you decide to visit further than Keyakidaira , especially Badadani which takes 40 mins walk to get there.

Dear Liem san

Thanks for your feedback

I shall give Shinhotaka a miss. I hv done the Kurobe Alpine Route thus hv seen one of the best mountain scenes. In Japan.

Will do Kurobe Gorge mid Nov. Not walking.
Just stay on the train. Thanks for your advice.

After Kurobe Gorge i shall go to Kansai to try see if i can
visit some earlier autumn spots esp. on mountains since i will be too early for city autumn viewing (?)

I am aware there area few places i could go to but don't wish to be disappointed as i have seen the best in some Kyoto temples and Arashiyama.

May i ask your thoughts on which mountains offer worthwhile visits and which could proof a disappointment?

Thank you in advance.

Cherrychua

Will do Kurobe Gorge mid Nov. Not walking.
Trains timetable: http://www.kurotetu.co.jp/en/

I am aware there are a few places i could go to but don't wish to be disappointed
There are things just beyond one's control. Disappointment could be part of travelling experience.
Wherever you go and visit, expect the unexpected. Terrific if everything goes well, but try to make the most of the situation when thing does not turn out as you expected.

Liem san

Once again much appreciate the link you have provided.

Thanks for your advice and thoughts, too.

Cherry