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As autumn deepens, the mornings and evenings are getting chilly, but the cool air feels comfortable again (^-^

). Speaking of autumn, one cannot miss the “autumn leaves” as a poetic charm!
In Japan, it has been called “Momiji-gari” (autumn-leaf viewing) since ancient times, and it has become a popular seasonal pastime.

By the way, just a small story.
For some reason, when we think of hunting, we have an image of taking food, such as picking oranges, mushrooms, tidepools, etc….

Autumn leaf viewing also has the word “hunt” in it, but it is not about actually taking the leaves and branches (nor eating them, for that matter).
It is about enjoying the scenery.

(When I was little, I thought it was autumn leaf picking because you bring back leaves and branches… LOL)

I did some research on the origin of this, and there are many theories….

As a matter of course, hunting is used in the sense of “catching birds and animals.

The theory is that this is because the word “kari” in “autumn-leaf viewing” has changed from its original meaning of “to catch birds and animals” to refer to the overall act of visiting nature in search of the season’s bounty.
In the old days, aristocrats in the Heian period often went out in oxcarts because they considered walking to be vulgar.
It was difficult to ride an oxcart up a mountain path to see the autumn leaves… So, they used it as an excuse to go out on foot to the mountains and fields to see the flowers and autumn leaves.

It is said that the name “Momiji-hari” (autumn-leaf viewing), even though it is not hunting, originated from the elegant games of the aristocracy.
(There are many other theories that are interesting to look into!)

Incidentally, the term “autumn-leaf hunting” is said to be so old that it appears in a tanka poem from the Kamakura period.
Although it is not a familiar word today, the term “cherry blossom hunting” also appears in a work called “Utsuho monogatari” written in the Heian period.

In every age, everyone likes to love seasonal plants and trees.

However, the Atami Plum Garden, known as “the earliest blooming plum tree in Japan,” is actually also a spot for autumn foliage.

Autumn leaves in a plum garden? You may think so, but during the festival period, various events are held as “Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival”!

I would like to introduce you to the Atami Plum Garden’s Autumn Foliage and Maple Festival, which I actually went to see!
(I actually went there on November 17, 2025!)

The Atami Plum Garden Maple Festival is celebrating its 39th anniversary this year, and attracts many visitors every year.

The 2025 event will be held from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, December 7, and admission is free.

The Atami Plum Garden is well known as Japan’s earliest-blooming plum tree, but it is also known as “Japan’s latest foliage” because the maple trees in the garden, about 380 in number, change color from late November to December each year due to Atami’s mild climate.

As soon as I entered the park, I was greeted by the autumn leaves (*^-^*).

It was a beautiful and calm day, and I was soothed by the tranquil atmosphere created by the autumn leaves….
I can feel the deepening of autumn again this year with the coloring of the akaneiro (reddish-blue). It is a scenery that makes me truly glad I came….

There is a creek running through the park, and the leaves seemed to be changing colors mainly along the creek.

Since I visited early this time, I thought the leaves were still just starting to change color, but they were more advanced than I had expected!
However, since the colors will only begin to change in earnest from now on, we expect to be able to enjoy the autumn leaves even more!

Incidentally, one of the unique attractions of Atami Plum Garden is the coexistence of autumn leaves and plum blossoms.
Thanks to the mild climate, early-blooming ume (plum blossoms) sometimes start blooming around mid-November, and it is said that visitors can enjoy both the red and vermillion colored leaves and the white and light red ume blossoms at the same time.
(I tried to go around the park, but I couldn’t find … _(:3″_))

Ume plum blossoms, which have a strong springtime image, and autumnal foliage can be seen together…. It is quite rare, isn’t it?

Even though the weather is mild, it still feels cold when strolling around the park… At such times, we have something to thank you for.
During the event, the footbaths in the park will be open to the public!

This footbath is open only during the period of the Maple Festival, and a quick soak is recommended when visiting!

Soak your feet in the warm water and take a breather… You can spend a very luxurious moment.

(On the day we went, they were also selling towels at the footbath! (On the day we went there, they were selling towels at the footbath! (On the day we went there, there were towels for sale at the footbath!)

During the Momiji Festival, the “Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival Photo Contest” and “Momiji Lighting Up” are also held!
The “Maple Tree Light-up” is held every day from 16:30 to 21:00, and the atmosphere is fantastic and different from that of the daytime.

There are also many other events such as “free amazake (sweet sake) service,” “Maple Festival limited confectionary sales,” “wild grass moss ball making workshop,” and “jazz performances” on weekends and holidays during the festival! If you want to enjoy the events, it is recommended to go on weekends and holidays!

However, there are relatively fewer people on weekdays, so if you want to take your time to appreciate the autumn leaves, you should visit on a weekday! If you want to appreciate the autumn foliage at a leisurely pace, visiting on a weekday is a good choice!

Also, as it is going to get even colder, it is recommended to soak in a hot spring to warm up after enjoying the Atami Plum Garden Maple Festival.
The facility’s Day-trip hot spring facility, OCEAN SPA Fuua, is located approximately 15 minutes by car from Atami Plum Garden!

The attraction of this spa is the 25-meter-long open-air standing bath that makes you feel as if you are floating on the sea, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and the Atami cityscape while soaking in the hot spring. There is also a rest area where you can enjoy a bedrock bath and a candle wax bath.

Please stop by OCEAN SPA Fuua as well.

The Atami Plum Orchard is expected to reach its peak as the colors change rapidly.

It is recommended that you take sufficient warm-up measures to protect yourself from the cold.

We hope you will enjoy the Atami Plum Garden Maple Festival at Atami in autumn and feel the quiet transition of nature’s colors!

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