Since I came to Japan thirteen years ago autumn for me has become all about the autumn leaves.
I think that autumn is the most beautiful time of the year in Japan because the whole country is covered by colourful red, yellow and orange trees.
13年前に日本に来て以来、私にとって秋といえば紅葉なの。
秋は日本全体が赤、黄色、オレンジの色とりどりの木々に覆われ、一年で最も美しい時期だと思うわ。

I really enjoy hiking during this season since the gorgeous autumn colours are displayed in nature and in October and November I usually go hiking in some areas which I can easily access from Tokyo such as Mt Takao, Mt Oyama and Hakone.
Usually I also try to go to Kyoto and Nara for a weekend in autumn because the autumn leaves there are particularly beautiful.
この季節は自然の中に美しい紅葉が見られるので、ハイキングをとても楽しんでいるの。10月と11月には東京からアクセスしやすい高尾山や大山、箱根などのエリアにハイキングに行くことが多いわね。
また、秋の週末には特に紅葉が美しい京都や奈良に行くようにしているわ。

Also, no trip to enjoy seeing the autumn leaves is complete without a visit to a local hot spring.
There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in a hot outdoor bath and enjoying the beautiful autumn scenery.
Next month I’m planning to visit Kodakara no Yu and Maka no Yu in Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku in Minakami city, Gunma.
I’m really looking forward to this trip.
そして、紅葉を楽しむ旅に欠かせないのが、地元の温泉です。
熱い露天風呂につかりながら、美しい秋の景色を楽しむことほどリラックスできることはないもの。
来月私は群馬県水上市の宝川温泉汪泉閣の「子宝の湯」と」摩訶の湯」に訪れる予定なの。
この旅行を本当に楽しみにしています。

===Stefanie===