What is the most beautiful color to represent the beauty of Japan? They would say the color of the Sakura (cherry tree) is. This might be true, but I say actually we can enjoy every season. Now it’s is the time to enjoy the autumnal colors of the leaves. Recently in Kyoto, one can come across maple trees in amazing fire-like red. Viewing trees are also one of the big joys of visiting Japan. As children, I used to see the red maple trees at the end of October, but now they usually see the same degree of red in the middle of November due to global warming.
People here in Japan often talk about the timing when maple leaves turn into red enough to go out for “maple leaf viewing.” Even the weather forecast on TV reports the how red they will be during the weekend saying expressions like “half red” or “full red.” We call such this idea as “maple leaves front.” The same thing is true for Sakura season in the Spring, when it’s called the “cherry blossom front.” Japan has four distinct seasons, and that’s why the changing scenery is a big event for Japanese people.