Autumn spot watch: The Nagaoka Institute of Design

I love finding places to enjoy Japan's autumn colors that aren't necessarily famous sightseeing spots, and university campuses can be great for this. They're often beautifully landscaped, with plenty of trees that put on a spectacular show when the leaves start changing.

The Nagaoka Institute of Design is well worth keeping in mind if you're in the area during autumn. You can enjoy the seasonal colors without necessarily having to visit one of the big-name foliage destinations, and it's a nice reminder that you don't always need to travel far or follow the crowds to find beautiful scenery in Japan.