Thousands of people on Saturday walked along the Imperial Palace's Inui-dori (road) in Tokyo to enjoy the late autumn foliage.
By 11 a.m., more than 4,300 people had walked along the road with thousands more expected in the afternoon, Imperial Household Agency officials said.
Inui-dori is a 600-meter road lined with 70 maple trees of eight varieties. It runs from Sakashita gate to Inui gate, and is open to the public only twice a year – during cherry blossom season and in autumn. The closest entry point is Tokyo Station.
Visitors can observe the exteriors of Daijokyu, a cluster of some 30 buildings built in the East Gardens for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement rite.
The leaves on the trees have only just begun to change color due to the continued warm weather this fall.
Many foreign tourists could be seen among the visitors. A U.S. woman who is in Japan on her honeymoon told NHK: "It was so beautiful to see the autumn leaves on all the different trees, and I loved the scenery.”
Inui-dori will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day until Dec 8. Admission is free.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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HopeSpringsEternal
Great for people's health and wellness but not a great economic catalyst...that's what tourists are for!!!
HopeSpringsEternal
Pretty low % of masks; spent a few days in Hakone this month and it was VERY crowded as well, far less than 5% wore masks, including the Romance Car etc.
Authorities need to figure out how to tax these folks for this stroll. Here's an idea, set up a security permitter, which will also better protect the Emperor and his Family, well done naturally, and then require entrance tickets.
Thoughts?!
smithinjapan
Leaves this year have been disappointing from what I've seen, but not much you can do. Do it for the hike, and go to places that are not so crowded if possible.
buffalo
HopeSpringsEternal
agreed!
factchecker
Who'd want to enjoy looking at nature in a ghastly crowd like that?
No thanks, would rather go somewhere out in the countryside.
mountainpear
Really? Where did you go? Here in Yamanashi, they're the best I've seen them!
HopeSpringsEternal
Fall season clearly delayed this year due to record warm Sept, Oct. and Nov. It's been dry so the leaves are in good shape in the Kanto. Was just in a park with the little ones, everyone very excited about the colors.
Guess my comments about all these walkers wanting a free activity due to shrinking $GPD per capita was not welcome? Nothing wrong with free, best things life are not for sale the saying goes, including walks with nature!