This week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme is ‘nostalgia‘. I wasn’t going to do another photo blog this week, but this theme was too good to resist. The word ‘nostalgia’ instantly makes me think of the Japanese word ‘natsukashii’ (懐かしい), which is one of those wonderful untranslatable words the Japanese language has so many of.
It’s feeling autumnal here in the UK already, and the thought of coloured leaves and pumpkin spice latte has got me reminiscing about autumn (秋) in Japan. Here are some of the things that have been in my mind today…
Persimmon are a fruit I discovered in Japan, and now the sight, smell and taste of persimmon is something I strongly associate with autumn
Girls posing with autumn leaves in Hamamatsu Castle Park, November 2010 – In Japan the changing of the seasons is really celebrated, with spring and autumn being the most popular seasons. Everyone wants to take photos with the cherry blossom in spring and the coloured leaves in the autumn.
Hiking from Kurama to Kibune last year – the leaves were beautiful, and the air was nice and crisp!
A brief visit to Magome in October 2009 when I was just 27. The leaves were just starting to turn and it was a gorgeous day.
Autumn in Japan lasts from October right through to December, but mid-November is probably the best time to go to see the coloured leaves in central areas such as Kyoto. Although autumn is pretty nice here in the UK I do feel very nostalgic when I look at these pictures and think about autumn in Japan. I enjoyed seeing the way the seasons were celebrated, especially autumn, with decorations in the shops and seasonal food popping up with the first hint of the leaves changing colour and the air turning cooler. In Japan autumn is all about chestnuts, persimmons and pumpkin, and it’s delicious!
What do you associate with autumn, either in Japan or elsewhere?
Haikugirl's Japan 
Wonderful es ever
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Although I have experienced autumn on holidays, I live in a country without these four seasons – just hot and humid all year round, with spells of rain here and there – so my associations with autumn are limited. However I would definitely cite the pretty brown and orange leaves scattered everywhere by an unceasing brisk, cool breeze, and soothing hot drinks indoors.
Coincidentally my husband and I are planning our first trip to Japan in autumn next year, and we are sure it will be wonderful, whether our trip goes through or not. 🙂
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Absolutely love our blog. Looking at these photos brings back so many nostalgic memories of the times I’ve spent in Japan. Thank you!
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