Shosenkyo Gorge and Nishizawa

I'm trying to find recent pictures of the Yamanashi area (Kofu, Enzan). I'm thinking of going to Nikko this week, then Nishizawa the next, and then Shosenkyo in mid-March. I may also go to Fujigoko if the peak is covered in snow on a clear day.

Glad I saw this thread. I think I just added Shosenkyo to our itenerary in early November.

Thanks to all for the comments in this thread!

I've been planning a trip to Shosenkyo, but I'm kind of confused about Yahoo! Japan's information and what one traveler left. According to the website it is time to view Koyou in the area, but one travller said he went on Friday and it was still green. The yearly average is mid-late November. I may go to Fujigoko instead tomorrow, I went last week after going to Nishizawa, but it was too late for taking photos.

Yahoo! Japan's website: http://kouyou.yahoo.co.jp/spot/ch058/index.html

Pictures from 11/2: http://syonan.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-86.html

This year the autumn colors are delayed. Rurubu also reports the trees there to be only about 10% colored so far:
http://www.rurubu.com/season/autumn/koyo/channel.asp?SozaiNo...

Uji, about Shosenkyo, the first homepage you posted (in your first post) says Shosenkyo is right in the middle of kouyou right now (four leaves out of seven). But the link you posted most recently shows that it's only at 10%. I want to go when the kouyou is at its best but the difference in the reporting is confusing.

As it is I put more faith in the latter homepage as it seems more regularly updated and with pictures, but it would be nice to know for sure.

Any idea of the expected dates for best viewing?

Thanks!

Just as you wrote, the rurubu website looks more updated and has actual photos that were made recently. Then again, looking at the photos of the rurubu website, I find it looks to be beyond 10%. More towards 30-40%.

I think that the best time to se the Shosenkyo is from now for the next two weeks or so. This is just my feeling. It is nature! Just like with cherry blossoms, sometimes you can't predict it correctly.