The Japanese enjoy the colors of autumn like no others. Here, amidst the slender trees and the autumn forests of the valleys and hills of Takao in northern Kyoto, visitors stop for a hot udon meal on their way up to the Jingo-ji temple. A missed stopped for an intended visit to Roanji Temple brought us to this weekend trek, where the paranoma stretches on a grander scale, as we enjoy the delicate fall colours with hundreds of other locals.

Contrast this scene with the bold and brasher colours of autumn at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee.

Photos with Nikon D40x (2007), Kyoto & Lumix GM1 (2016), Gaitlinburg, TE