Autumn descends on Tokyo

Finally, we had an entire weekend of near-perfect weather. Each morning this week we left for work with sunglasses on, praying that the weather would hold for the weekend. We were in luck. We visited Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in the centre of Tokyo, cameras at the ready.

View fullsize

There were people picknicking and having lunch, but most people were walking around with either cameras or smartphones at the ready. We also took a lot of photos, but made an effort to appreciate the beautiful range of colours with our eyes and not vicariously through our LCD screens.

View fullsize

Greens | RX1 | 1/80s f/13.0 ISO2000 35mm

The maples are a huge attraction, turning from bright green to a vibrant red, via a visceral yellow.

View fullsize

Reds and Yellows | RX1 | 1/80s f/2.0 ISO100 35mm

But there were not just maples to behold...

View fullsize

Yellow | RX1 | 1/640s f/2.0 ISO100 35mm

View fullsize

Tunnel of yellow | RX1 | 1/80s f/5.6 ISO400 35mm

I'm heading to Okinawa this morning, for some repair work this week. There's a chance I'll be able to catch the final stages of fall upon my return to Tokyo - but if not, I'll still be happy with this year's fall photos.

Turning

Central Tokyo is just starting to turn. The trees are turning an amazing mix of red, yellow, and green. It's a beautiful time of year, and it seems such a shame to have to work in an office during daylight hours so bright and vivid as this.

View fullsize

With a polarising filter, the sky is really vivid

In around a week, autumn will be all around us. The above tree, central to the campus here at the University of Tokyo, turns an amazing yellow by the end of the year. I estimate that in the first week of december, this area of the campus will be yellow, if previous years are anything to go by.

View fullsize

View fullsize

However, next week, I'll be in Okinawa for work - when I return I think it'll be impossible to walk around Tokyo without rustling in leaves!

View fullsize

Leaves weren't the only thing turning

Narrowly missed the rain...

When I left the house this morning, I saw enormous storm clouds over central Tokyo and heard the rumblings of thunder. I knew rain was forecast for later in the day, but thought I'd be safe until tonight. When I emerged out of the underground network closer to work (in the centre of Tokyo), it was as if the city had been through a car wash. It must have been 100% humidity, even at 32℃. The ground was soaked, and the trees were looking greener than ever.