Autumn: A Local's Guide to Travel in Japan
A journey through the best autumn experiences in Japan, from exploring stunning fall foliage to tasting seasonal specialties and harvest ingredients at their peak freshness.
Autumn is a book about letting the seasons guide your travel for slower, more authentic way to experience Japan. Most travel recommendations share tourist hotspots without considering the time of year of the trip. But locals in Japan know to prioritize unique, hyper-seasonal activities. Festivals, food, indoor and outdoor gatherings—all aspects of Japanese society transform with the changing of the seasons.
Details about the book:
- 162 pages
- 12 essays / short stories about the autumn season
- 74 photographs
- 48 hand-drawn illustrations
Autumn starts with practical tips on how to plan your trip, from the best resources to monitor the foliage forecasts to the public holiday dates to avoid crowds. Also included in the guide are lists of the best activities, festivals, and limited editions foods/snacks to eat.
Beyond the practical information are also deep dives into the cultural context of famous autumn foods like anko (red bean), tempura, and the Mont Blanc dessert. Learn about the history of the ancient flowers of autumn, Japanese jazz festivals, sumo wrestling, and more!
FAQ
Q: How do you know so much about Japan?
This guide is a passion project, with years of personal travel photographs and life lessons carefully curated to share with readers. It all started as a Google Doc of Japan travel tips for friends. Then in summer of 2018, I moved with my husband and dog to live abroad in Tokyo for a year. My appreciation for seasonally-focused travel really evolved as we immersed ourselves in the day-to-day Japanese lifestyle.
Check out my essay about self-publishing the book for more on how the guide was made and behind-the-scenes details.
It's exciting to share this book with the world and we can't wait to see the kinds of seasonal travel it inspires in you!
Q: Who is this book for?
This book is intended for folks who are planning an upcoming trip to Japan and want to understand how Japanese locals and expats do seasonal travel. You can use this as direct advice and recommendation for places to visit—included as part of the guide are links and Google map locations that readers can reference.
It's also a book for those who are looking to be inspired. The book will walk you step-by-step through adopting a seasonal mindset and searching for unique festivals and activities that suit your preferences. You can use it in tandem with mainstream travel guides that give you specific itineraries, mixing and matching as you see fit.
Q: Can I buy a physical copy of this book?
Yes, the book is available through these paperback stockists:
About the author
Vivian Qu is a writer and software engineer who has lived and traveled extensively in Japan. Check out her website at vivqu.com for other writing and projects.
A personal PDF with detailed information and travel tips about Japan in autumn.