When you feel that crisp, clean breeze, you know that the mountains and highlands are beginning their change from summer to autumn.
In this beautiful high country of breathtaking vistas, created by the surrounding 3000 meter peaks of the Northern Alps and the elegant Myojin and Taisho ponds, one can also look near their own feet to see the grass and flowers telling of the coming autumn.
Different from the colorful plants of summer, these plants, such as valerian and magnolia varieties, project a calm, austere feeling of beauty with their white, yellow and blue flowers.
The wild chrysanthemums and cimicifugas are especially impressive. The white ring created by each chrysanthemum flower is breathtakingly bright, while the cimicifuga's white ears of as much as 30cm sway in the breeze, giving a mysterious atmosphere that combines beautifully with the surrounding quietude.
At this time of year, the mountains of the Northern Alps begin to change color, and the color of the entire scene begins to deepen.
Once autumn is in full effect in mid-October, the Kamikochi area's larch and white birch trees are imbued with yellow, reflecting wonderfully off the surfaces of the Azusagawa River, Taisho and Myojin Pond.
Around this time, monkeys can be spotted near walking paths, gathering food for the coming harsh winter and carrying their spring-born young on their backs.
Recently, these monkeys have been reported on the news as seeking food by stealing from humans, but this is not the case in Kamikochi. In order to preserve the environment and ecosystem, the leaving out of garbage and giving of food are prohibited.
Visitors are also asked to participate in environmental protection activities, and yet some 2,000,000 visitors gladly come to enjoy Kamikochi each year, a testament that it is an ideal place for people and nature to truly coexist. This coexistence is the key to enjoying intimately that delicious hint of autumn.
▽Reference Website
Kamikochi visitor center
http://www1.neweb.ne.jp/wa/kamikochi/
