季節感 

Fall is my favorite season. Since I was a kid I have always loved the idea of Fall; changing trees, brisk temperatures, wearing sweaters and scarves without the bulk of a coat over it all, etc. These images always stuck with me although growing up in Texas we often did not have much of a Fall season. In Texas it goes from very warm straight to a cold, icy winter overnight! After moving to Japan I got to experience the creeping descent of temperatures coupled with an abundant fare of persimmons, mushrooms, chestnuts, and apples while the leaves changed their colors around us. After last year, my first true Fall, my childhood affinity for Autumn was affirmed. I love this season even more now!

It is a well known fact that Japan is proud of its four seasons. However many people do not understand why. Lots of other places in the world have four seasons too, but you don't see them talking about it endlessly. In Japan it truly is special because the culture reflects the seasons as they change throughout the year. The food, fashion, and even language changes to coincide with the surrounding nature! Not only does Japan eat seasonal foods (which are often not available at all off-season. ex: persimmons) but most households even own different sets of dishware to serve food on in order to complement the season and its typical foods. Also people travel to specific places based on their beauty in a particular season. In Autumn everyone talks about the fall foliage; in Spring everyone talks about the cherry blossoms. There are even websites that track and forecast the movement of blooms and changing leaves so that everyone can keep tabs on it and plan their trips for the optimum time to appreciate nature's beauty.

The season permutes so many aspects of culture in Japan, they even have a phrase to describe it, 季節感, meaning sense of the seasons. The great product of this sense of the seasons is that you are enjoying and looking forward to things all year round! The pleasure of enjoying something anticipated makes it that much more satisfying once you get it after months of waiting. In Japan there is something beautiful to see, do, eat and enjoy in every season! 

This Fall I too did my best to enjoy the beautiful foliage with many weekend trips to places known for their Autumn colors. One weekend I went to Kurobe Gorge in the neighboring Toyama Prefecture. Kurobe Gorge is a deep ravine running through the Tateyama mountain range. A scenic rail route winds among the mountains offering spectacular views of the river and mountainsides.

While riding the electric, open air rail car I was stunned to see the bright turquoise water of the river. I could not believe that color was natural, but the whole river was that bright. The mountainsides also had me in amazement with their orange and yellow hued trees spilling down the sides.

Finally, as I left after a full day of exploring the ravine, I snapped a picture of some distant snowy peaks- harbingers of winter.