Autumn

As I look back on my ideas of Japan before I came over, I get the impression that I completely ignored the climate and weather of the place. I can’t remember ever considering that it was incredibly hot in the summer, notably cooler in the Autumn, freezing and snowy in the Winter, and a nice warm temperature in the Spring. As Spring is the most publicized and recognised season of Japan - I guess I assumed that the moderate climate was an all-year-round thing.

Of course it can be completely different in other parts of Japan, the further south you go it stays moderately warm in Winter and doesn’t snow. There can be a striking difference between Japan by the West coast, and Japan by the East coast. In winter, the west coast receives cold air from Siberia which results in heavy snowfall, whilst the east coast receives warm air from the North Pacific Ocean. I’m no geographer so Wikipedia will probably do a better job (If you’re interested).

You can be sure to be reminded that Yamagata has four distinct seasons. Because it is surrounded by mountains, it experiences the ‘basin effect’ where the weather elements become trapped and intensify as they linger. After a very hot Summer - some days reaching about 34/35°celcius - Autumn is definately here. It’s very spectacular, and I’m quite convinced that Autumn in England isn’t as impressive. All the trees turn magnificent shades of deep reds, bold oranges and bright yellows. Because the mountains are completely covered in trees, Autumn transforms the hills into an Impressionist painting, speckled with subtle shades of greens, reds, browns, oranges and yellows.

I went up to Mt Zao with Emily last weekend. We picked a wrong day becuase it was attrocious windy and rainy weather, but despite that, the trees were even more spectacular - hundreds of trees shining golden, bronze and ruby colours - the odd specks of green. The Japanese claim that Spring and Autumn are the nicest times to come and see Japan, and I wouldn’t argue with them! The temperature is comfortable and the Japanese landscape is beautiful.