Autumn magic from Nara Park, 2025

Nara Park's autumn magic comes from its diverse trees which create vibrant tapestries of red, orange, 

and yellow leaves and freely roaming deer in the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

(Photos were taken between the 14th and the 28th of November.)

南京櫨 Nankinhaze, Chinese Tallow Tree

Chinese Tallow leaves are eye-catching along the banks of Araike Reservoir.

The slopes of Mount Wakakusa look reddish because of young Chinese Tallow trees.

椛 Momiji, or Japanese Maples

Mizuyachaya, a small, charming teahouse, is at the back entrance of Kasugataisha Shrine.

Momiji, or Japanese Maples, are rapidly turning to the shades of red.

Kasugayama Mountain Trail runs through Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, which is behind Kasugataisha Shrine.

The forest has remained virtually untouched because of prohibited hunting and logging since 841. 

I gave up walking it through because of the news that a bear was spotted near the trail recently.

Leaf-framed Shibi of Todaiji Main Hall

The stunning fiery reds of Japanese Maples and the reflected vibrant colors in the glass of a window

in the garden of Iraka.

The painterly reflection of Japanese Maples on the pond surface distorted by ripples

Bathed in the late afternoon sun, Japanese Maples get ablaze.

銀杏 Icho, Ginkgo Tree

A deer and brilliant yellow fan-shaped Ginkgo leaves.

桜 Sakura, Cherry Tree

Autumn leaves of Sakura trees has a specila name "Sakura Momiji".

Momiji has two meanings; one is Japanese Maples and the other is colored leaves and grasses.

At Chayam-enchi, which do you like better, pink Sakura or reddish brown or orange Sakura Momiji?

A nature's wooden sculpture that looks like a resting animal and real deer.

It will be fine tomorrow.

BTW, my son completed Kobe Full Marathon again this year

with much better record than the last year's.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Saturday's Critters

Deer, Chinese Tallow leaves, and reflections

I went to Nara Park riding a cute train of the Kintetsu Railway featuring Deer of Nara Park.

This is a rapid express mainly connecting Sannomiya, Kobe and Nara stations.

By my iPhone

A spacious area of scenic beauty in the eastern Nara City is called Nara Park.

Less than ten minutes after getting off the train at Nara Station, you're in the park.

I walked viewing autume leaves, looking for nice reflections, and meeting deer

in the late afternoon.

鷺池 Sagi-ike Pond

Hello, Deer!

- Along the 吉城川 Yoshiki River -

 I was caught by the shine of the fallen leaves.

On the water, interesting patterns are made with fallen leaves, reflections, and ripples.

Meanwhile, two deer appeared looking for foods.

- At 浮雲園地 Ukigumo-enchi -

 Ukigumo-enchi is ablaze with 南京櫨 Nankinhaze Chinese Tallow leaves.

(Fabulous autumn coloration of Chinese Tallow trees)

Leaves grow old beautifully in each individual speed.

Each leaf shines with the color of the moment, transforming from green 

to light yellow, orange, fainally to crimson or to gold.

Unfortunately Chinese Tallows in Nara Park have been cut down as  the tree's invasiveness 

has put the primmitive forest of Mt. Kasuga, World Heritage, in danger.

As far as I know, Nara Park is the only place famous for autumn foliage of Chinese Tallow.

I feel sad to see Chinese Tallows getting sparse every year in the park.

The Chinese Tallows seen from the bench in the old photo below are gone now.

(To keep memories alive of the Chinese Tallow Trees at Ukigumo-enchi)

2015

- At 飛火野 Tobihino -

This tall Chinese Tallow is a landmark of Tobihino.

Look at the tree in the golden glow before the sunset.

I was lucky that I could ride "Nara Deer Train" as it runs randomly.

At COLLOSAL, more photos and explanation about this adorably whimsical train.

"The Deer Train is decked out with lush, spotted seats, grassy flooring, 

handles shaped like pudgy animals, and illustrations by Tokyo-based artist Gemi 

that transform the cars into a whimsical, cervine world."

It's November, but the highest temperature of a day is forecasted to hover around

 25 degrees C at least for a week.

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Saturday Critters

Mosaic Monday

To keep memories of the Chinese Tallow Trees at Ukigumo-ennchi

This place is Ukigumo-ennchi Park in Nara Park.

Ukigumo literally means "floating clouds."

At this place, I have admired the flamboyant autumn shows of Chinese Tallows

which are planted as ornamental roadside or park trees for long.

Unfortunately, the trees' invasiveness has put the evergreen broad-leaf forest 

of Mt. Kasuga (World Heritage) in danger according to the Mt. Kasuga Forest Reserve.

The seeds of them are carried by birds to drop in that nearby primitive forest.

Authorities have a plan to replace them with Cherry and Pine trees eventually.

Now that it's December, all of their leaves fell to the ground.

I will show how the kaleidoscopic color changes of the leaves look

with the photos taken mid-November, 2018 and 2021

They are fabulous in each different light.

November 4th, 2018

November 6th, 2021

The leaves, the heart-shaped with a point, were dancing in the breeze.

November 13th, 2021

About twenty Chinese Tallows were cut down at Ukigumo-enchi this September.

The landscape doesn't look so different so far

but you can see the trees are sparse compared to the photo six years ago.

November 5th, 2015

November 13th, 2021

Autumn has rapidly deepened to bring chilly blast of winter.

I can't believe that these Chinese Tallows will eventually disappear from people's sight.

When I look back in future, would I feel they passed by in the blink of an eye?

Past post; Fabulous autumn coloration of Chinese Tallow Trees (2017)

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Autumn foliage at Nara Park

Autumn foliage viewing season has come to Nara Park!

The roof of Todai-ji Main Hall, the largest wooden structure in the world

In early November, Ginkgo leaves burst gold in the light.

A waka poet Akiko Yosano saw small golden birds 
when ginkgo leaves falling at a hillside aglow with the setting sun.

A flock of tiny golden birds perching on the twigs

Walking through autumn foliage always inspires me to lyricism.
How leaves are beautiful in colors with light at their last days of life!

Chinese Tallow Trees

These Chinese Tallow trees are still on the verge of turning red.

What I like most about Chinese Tallows are the various juicy, delicious colors
in the process to their full maturity.

I imagine the leaves would paint the wind while floating, whirling, and dancing
to fall to the ground.

In between the leaf watching, I enjoyed Okonomiyaki, assorted sweets, 
and some Italian dishes with Y and her sister F
at the art exhibition of Y's kindergarten.

There is always coming and going.
Sakura leaves are almost gone, while the fiery red of Japanese Maples are coming soon.

They will play the grand finale of the autumn.

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Our World Tuesday