'Harvest season' in the land of the rising sun

Autumn is here! The golden and red leaves, perfect weather and lots of unique festivals make Japan a great travel destination.

Japan has many unique festivals held in the fall. (Source: Kyodo News)

Autumn is not only considered the most beautiful season in Japan, but also the ideal time for tourists to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Autumn days with cool weather, golden sunshine and deep blue sky become one of the top choices of “travel enthusiasts” around the world. This is also considered the time for people to enjoy the peaceful nature, when the maple forests change from green to red. In the cool air and gentle sunshine, the leaves of the forests gradually change color, creating an extremely brilliant and eye-catching natural picture with orange, red and bright yellow tree canopies.

Bright and bustling

With gentle and romantic scenery in the cool weather, visitors can visit an Onsen hot spring resort.

Onsen resorts are renowned for their high-class, sophisticated service, using natural hot spring water, providing relaxation for visitors after a long day of walking and sightseeing. Many are located in rural or mountainous areas, most of which offer overnight accommodation.

Autumn in Japan is also the harvest season. In the countryside, on the golden rice fields harvested early, the rice is neatly tied or hung in rows. At this time, the Japanese organize many autumn festivals, sports competitions and fun activities throughout the country. Many bustling activities bring interesting experiences to tourists.

The grand festivals

People often mention some unique festivals and cultural events that will definitely bring unforgettable impressions when traveling to Japan in the fall.

Sumo wrestling is considered a unique culture and a traditional sport, with many special, solemn and colorful rituals. Sumo matches take place on a clay ring, covered with sand. Sumo wrestlers with large stature are the pride of Japanese sports. Every year, Japan holds six major Sumo tournaments, with three held in Tokyo, one in Osaka, one in Nagoya and one in Fukuoka. Each tournament starts on Sunday and lasts 15 days. The Autumn Sumo Tournament is held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium, Sumida Ward, Tokyo in mid-September every year. This is one of the most attractive and worth-experiencing Autumn events that attracts a large number of tourists. If you have the opportunity to travel to Japan, do not miss the opportunity to participate in this event.

Yabusame horseback archery is a martial arts-based ritual that has been practiced in this country for hundreds of years. Yabusame is a horseback archery competition held by feudal lords to test the skills and strength of samurai warriors.

Today, Yabusame is not only a sporting event, but also a religious ceremony. Yabussame is held all over the country. In the capital Tokyo, in late autumn, people flock to Meiji Jingu Shrine, the place where the most famous Yabusame performance is held in the Land of the Rising Sun, imbued with the spirit of Shinto, the belief of the Japanese people.

The Sapporo Autumn Festival from September 6 to September 29 is a major culinary event held annually at Odori Park in downtown Sapporo. The festival is a great opportunity for visitors to enjoy the culinary quintessence of Hokkaido.

This food festival welcomes you with a variety of delicious dishes, from fresh seafood to delicious meats and famous dairy products of Hokkaido. Treat yourself to a great feast and meet like-minded foodies here!

Besides the above activities, there are countless other scenic spots and activities to experience.

“Many people say that you should visit Japan in the spring to see cherry blossoms in full bloom, but personally, I think that autumn in Japan also gives visitors the opportunity to admire countless breathtaking landscapes,” said Hoang Khanh Van, a high school student in Hanoi who traveled to Japan last autumn.

Autumn is also the season of simple yet delicious dishes, such as roasted sweet potatoes, roasted chestnuts, or the famously expensive Matsutake pine mushrooms. Some popular traditional Japanese dishes during this season include ramen noodles, tempura, sanma fish, mushroom soup... These dishes are just a part of the countless other attractive culinary dishes that visitors should try once in their life if they have the opportunity to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

“We are always ready to welcome foreign visitors,” said Shuso Imada, general director of the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center.

In fact, the smokeless industry is becoming an indispensable part and a priority in Japan's economic growth strategy. According to Reuters, the number of 17.78 million visitors in June 2024 set a new record in the past half year and is on track to break the annual record of 31.9 million in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic appeared. Accordingly, autumn is also the "harvest season" that the tourism industry of this country is looking forward to.

When traveling in Japan, the subway is a popular and convenient means of transportation in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. With precise schedules and frequent runs, the subway makes it easy for visitors to get to sightseeing spots.

The Shinkansen bullet train is also an indispensable means of transportation when talking about Japan. These trains connect cities and countryside at extremely high speeds, helping to save travel time while still ensuring quality service and a comfortable and convenient space.

For those who want to explore the countryside and natural landscapes, buses are the right choice. Not only does this transport take visitors to attractions that are difficult to reach by other means of transport, but it also provides a more authentic experience of local life.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nhat-ban-vao-thu-mua-gat-hai-o-xu-phu-tang-284336.html