Autumn foliage season kicks off in Japan, but lack of sunlight damages leaves at Gunma temple
3 Video Views·Nov 9, 2026
Japan's autumn colors draw crowds, from the golden slopes of Nikko to the traditional farmhouses of Takayama. But at a temple in Gunma Prefecture, some leaves are turning brown or falling before developing their autumn colors. The temple's deputy head priest points to prolonged rain and a lack of sunlight.
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Video Summary
AI GeneratedJapan's Culture Day holiday on November 3rd saw visitors flocking to witness vibrant autumn foliage across the country. While regions like Nikko, Takayama, and Kanazawa showcase stunning gold and orange landscapes, some areas in Gunma Prefecture are experiencing unusual leaf withering and premature shedding due to a lack of sunlight.
November 3rd, Japan's Culture Day holiday,
brought refreshing weather across much of Japan,
making it a perfect day to get out and enjoy the autumn scenery.
Fog blanketed parts of the Kanto region and other areas,
veiling the rising sun in mist.
As morning grows colder,
the autumn foliage is becoming even more vibrant.
We flew over Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture,
one of the Kanto region's most popular destinations for autumn leaves.
I'm in Irohazaka.
Yellow and orange are shining brightly.
Beautiful.
Along the way, we spotted something else.
The cars are quite crowded.
Despite the traffic,
there is a spectacular view drawing all those visitors.
The deep blue
and yellow contrast of the lake is very beautiful.
The sun's light shines on the beautiful golden area.
It's very beautiful and impressive.
Kenrokuen Garden is one
of the Hokuriku region's best-known spots for autumn foliage.
The Heta
folk village
in Takayama,
Gifu Prefecture
is home
to traditional
farmhouses,
with steeply pitched thatched roofs set amid natural surroundings.
Thanks.
The autumn foliage here is also at its peak.
It reminds me of my childhood.
Autumn colors are beginning to appear in Tokyo as well.
At Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa City,
the ginkgo-lined avenues are about 60% of
the way to their full autumn colors.
The trees are expected to be at their peak this coming weekend.
However, in some places,
something unusual is happening even before the leaves reach
their peak.
It's turning brown before it gets dark.
We're in the upper part
of Kusatsu, Gunma.
The contrast between orange, yellow, and green is very beautiful.
Clear skies made it a perfect day to enjoy
the autumn foliage on November 3rd.
An unusual phenomenon is occurring at Kichijoji Temple
in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture.
It's a place where it's like that, isn't it?
This is what I'm trying to do, but when it comes to this,
it gradually becomes brown as the days go by.
The temple is normally a popular spot where visitors can admire
the autumn foliage from its
But this year, some trees are reportedly withering
or shedding their leaves before they have even changed color.
I think the biggest reason is that there's not enough sunlight.
Long rain can lead to a lack of sunlight.
Some branches have lost every single leaf.
I feel like this part has completely fallen off.
At the worst, the branches themselves are also withered.
It's going to fall down.
Even so, the scenery remains beautiful,
and visitors still seem to be enjoying their time here.
The autumn foliage season
is running behind schedule
at this temple,
with the leaves expected to reach
their peak around the second week of November.