Autumn colors

Autumn leaves at Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, are seen from a helicopter on Sunday. According to the Nikko Natural Science Museum, the rst autumn leaves this year were seen in late September, about a week later than usual. As colder weather arrived in October, the speed of the color change returned to normal with the leaves looking brighter than last year. e most beautiful autumn leaves are expected to come down the Irohazaka winding mountain road toward the city area in early November. Tourist numbers have increased since last year, thanks to the recently launched government program for boosting domestic tourism.

(Published in print on Oct. 25)