Tokyo | Ome Mitake Valley, a hidden gem for fall foliage in Kanto.

Follow me if you love chasing fall foliage! Autumn is the most refreshing and comfortable season in Japan, and the best time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Among them, fall foliage viewing is the most popular. When the daytime temperature in Japan drops to 5°C, the leaves of ginkgo and maple trees begin to change color. The fall foliage season is generally from early September to late November. The Kanto region, where Tokyo is located, usually enters the traditional fall foliage season in late November. For this fall foliage trip in Kanto, I found a place called "Mitake Valley," and it did not disappoint. From Shinjuku, Tokyo, take the JR train to Ome Station, then transfer to the Nature Exploration Train for 20 minutes to Mitake Station, a total of 2 hours. The valley is right outside the station. Hike along the valley, visit the local Hanshan Temple, and finally take the JR train back from Sawai Station. Mitake Valley is located in the upper reaches of the Tama River, with a 4 km walking route along the shore. The scenery along the way is stunning, with colorful forests and the river flowing fast and slow. Walk up the valley, and the river turns with the mountains. The water is soft and clear, the birds sing crisply, and the autumn breeze is gentle, like a nocturne from the strings of a quiet world. The fallen leaves drift away along the stream. Walking along the winding valley like a colorful ribbon, the fall foliage stretches for several kilometers, which is spectacular. Various groups of people are hiking, camping, and picnicking, forming a colorful picture of people and nature with the colorful forests. There are also kayaking teams in the lake, braving the rapids, which is a unique sight. The colors of autumn are warm and intense. Drinking hot milk tea, eating honey-roasted sweet potatoes, and feeling the autumn wind blowing through the forest is very chill~ It's a place worth visiting, with fewer people and more beautiful scenery. The fall foliage comes earlier than in downtown Tokyo!