Maple Samara 楓（カエデ）の翼果

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Maple trees are known for autumn leaves but reddish and green (and translucent) samaras surrounded by fresh green leaves are so beautiful. Maple samaras always remind me of Doraemon bamboo copter.  

2026/5/12

2026/4/22

Japanese Red Maple (Acer Pycnanthum) ハナノキ（花之木）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Japanese red maple trees (Acer pycnanthum) are native to Japan. Their Japanese name is "hananoki," translating to "flower tree," which is too general, isn't it? The tree is named as such after its deep red flowers standing out because they're produced before green leaves are in early spring when no other flowers are seen. This makes sense. I first found the flowers because the red color stood out in early March.  

2024/4/30

Trident Maple (Acer Buergerianum) トウカエデ（唐楓）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are leaves of a trident maple tree (Acer buergerianum) I found in April. Trident maple is native to South East China and Taiwan, coming to Japan in the early 18th century and can now be found across Japan. 

It's not unusual to see red male leaves in autumn but not so in April, you think? But not necessarily. Leaves turning red in spring is known as a way for plants to protect shoots from ultraviolet rays. The leaves are red but look different from autumn red leaves because of the deep green backdrop.   

2026/4/22

2026/4/22

Maple Flower Buds カエデ（楓）の蕾

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

There are more than 130 types of maple trees, most of which are native to East Asia. Maple trees are known for their beautiful autumn leaves but they produce flowers from April to May, which are tiny and lovely, creating such a beautiful red and green contrast. After the flower season, they then produce samaras, which look like two bladed propellers. Maple always reminds me of maple syrup candies made by Laura in Little House in the Big Woods. Her way of making them, i.e., dribbling the syrup onto the snow, intrigued me.   

2026/3/29

Weeping Maple Flowers 紅枝垂れ紅葉（ベニシダレモミジ）の花

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a weeping red maple tree (Acer palmatum var. matsumurae cv. Ornatum). The tree leaves don't turn red. They are red in the first place when they sprout in spring, which gives us an opportunity to enjoy such deep red leaves and tiny red flowers at the same time.

Weeping maple flowers　紅枝垂れ紅葉（ベニシダレモミジ）の花

Nomura Maple (Acer Palmatum 'Shojo Nomura') Leaves Turn Red in Spring 野村紅葉（ノムラモミジ）

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a nomura maple tree (Acer palmatum 'Shojo nomura'). I've heard about the tree famous for its leaves turning red in spring but didn't expect to find one in my neighborhood! It may be difficult to see the seeds, which look like Doraemon bamboo copters, but they're also bright red (3rd and 4th photos)! If you're interested in another type of acer whose leaves also turn red in spring (i.e., weeping maple), read this post, too!

2023/4/25

2023/4/25

2023/4/25

Weeping Maple Flowers and Red "Spring" Leaves 紅枝垂れ紅葉（ベニシダレモミジ）の花

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a weeping red maple tree (Acer palmatum var. matsumurae cv. ornatum). Can you see its tiny but conspicuous flowers and deep red "spring" leaves? Yes! The weeping red maple leaves turn red in spring!! I enjoyed everything about the tree but thousands of tiny flying bugs around the tree following me!

Weeping maple flowers　ベニシダレモミジの花

Weeping maple leaves turn red in spring　紅枝垂れモミジは春に紅葉

Fall Foliage with Still Green Leaves 緑と赤の秋

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is a Japanese maple tree at Hibiya Park, Tokyo. Tree leaves have turned red and yellow everywhere but the combination of red and still green leaves is unusual. The temperature has dropped across Japan, however. The Japanese autumn leaves season will soon be over.   

A Japanese maple tree　紅葉

Autumn Maple Leaves - Color, Color, Color! 紅葉 - 色、色、色！

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Japan has many famous places for beautiful autumn leaves and you can enjoy them even in Tokyo like those in these photos taken in my neighborhood! A tip for enjoying fall leaves is to see them from below!! 

Autumn leaves from below 紅葉を下から

Japanese Maple Autumn Leaves 楓の紅葉（カエデ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are Japanese maple leaves at the Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. As the fall foliage season was almost over, I thought autumn leaves had mostly fallen. So, it was a happy surprise to see many trees still showing such beautiful yellow, orange and red leaves against the blue sky! The trees at the garden are all large, so I was able to take many pictures of these leaves from below (first 3 photos).

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden, a garden about 40 acres in Central Tokyo, was opened by the Tokugawa shogunate in the 17th century to grow medicinal herbs. In 1877, after the Meiji Restoration, it became a part of Tokyo Imperial University and currently the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science. The admission fee is JPY500 (i.e., about USD4.5) for adults.

From below

From below

From below

Fall Foliage - Acer Palmatum (Japanese Maple) 紅葉（モミジ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are the leaves of acer palmatum or commonly known as Japanese maple. Their brilliant red color is breathtaking. And needless to say, I love these beautiful fall leaves, but I love them more when looking at them from below because from below, they're translucent reddish orange against the blue sky.  

Late November to early December is the peak of fall foliage in Japan, and after that, winter will kick in. People are busy toward the end of the year, being excited about several upcoming events, i.e., celebrating Christmas with family and friends, which is a Christian event, listening with family to the sound of bells rung in Buddhist temples 108 times on New Year's Eve, i.e., a Buddhist event, and visiting a temple or shrine at New Year, i.e., a Buddhist/Shinto event. 

Whether or not this is diverse and inclusive, or unprincipled or atheistic, it's up to you, but please don't blame me who have already started to prepare for these events by buying wine, sake, stollen, roasted chicken, and many ingredients to make osechi, i.e., traditional Japanese New Year's food!  

 

Acer palmatum leaves are brilliantly red!! 真っ赤な紅葉！

Japanese maple leaves from below 下から