Glimpses of autumn in Niigata

I've mentioned before here on City-Cost that autumn is probably my favorite season in Japan, and I've also covered some fun things to do in the area at this time of year. I thought it would be fun to show you all some glimpses of what autumn is like out here in snow country, as I think it's a beautiful time of year.

Rice ready to harvest

One of the most common scenes you can see during autumn in Niigata Prefecture are rice fields ready for harvest. Right outside my door here there are rice fields, and it's fun to watch their progression from vibrant, almost neon green in the summer months, to a beautiful golden color by autumn. If you visit late in the autumn season though, it's more common to see empty fields that have already been harvested!

Golden rice fields are one of the key signs of autumn in the Niigata countryside.

Rich autumn color

One of the nicest things about living in an area surrounded by mountains is the rich depth of autumn color we are blessed with. The photo below was taken at Sagurigawa Dam, and it's a popular spot for the local community to enjoy the beauty of the season.  I'm also a big fan of the susuki, or silver grass, that pops up quite a bit at this time of year. It doesn't seem to get as much praise as the changing leaves, but I love how the stalks of it shimmer and sway in the breeze. I think they frame the scene quite nicely!

The Sagurigawa Dam is a popular spot for the local community to visit and appreciate autumn's color. Hopefully you can understand why from the picture!

Stunning ginkgo trees

These ginkgo trees line part of the road across from the Urasa Station area, and they're such a highlight of autumn for me. I guess one of the things I enjoy most about autumn out this way is you don't really need to go anywhere special to appreciate the season. Sure, there are dedicated flower fields and scenic lookout spots, but you can find so much autumn color just from walking around the streets.

A number of ginkgo trees line the street adjacent to Urasa Station. One of the best parts about autumn in this part of Japan is you'll see signs of it everywhere, without needing to visit "special" places.