2016-11-12, Fall Color at the Kobe Arboretum

Trees here and there have been turning color for a couple of weeks now, but we haven't yet entered the full autumn color season.  I was really worried as I sat on the train for the 1 hour 40 min. ride to Kobe last Saturday.  I had been to this arboretum in the summer (just missing the best of the hydrangea, but enjoying it non the less) and noticed that there were many Japanese maples.  I'd hoped to come back during fall foliage season but I was afraid I was a week or two early.  It is located on a smallish mountain which lucky for me, and many, many others, was cold enough that the colored leaves were at around 60 - 70% full color.  Yeah!  There's nothing worse than going to see cherry blossoms or fall colors and being a little too early or a little too late!  On top of the good timing color wise it was a beautiful fall day with a bright blue sky.  So you are going to be blasted with way too many pictures, but I couldn't help myself.  There is no photo color enhancement here - it's all 

Mother Nature's work!  Enjoy.

Meta Sequoia

There was a huge open space area on top of a little hill with various playground equipment, benches, play space, etc.

A 'mushroom garden' was advertised and we were looking for various mushrooms but it turned out to be this area with 'mushrooms' made by children.  They are painted with fluorescent paint and glow during the night time illumination.

I love those trees on the left.

 

There was a sign next to this rabbit pointing the way to 'Rabbit World'.  After the mushroom area I thought it would be similar - rabbits made of wood or some children's craft but...

It turned out to really be a 'rabbit world'! 

There were MANY amateur photographers setting up tripods and such.
It's a big hobby nowadays, especially for older men.

This was some of the most delicious soup I've ever had and I could not for the life of me figure out what was in it!  That's very unusual for me, I'm usually pretty good at guessing how to make things.  I tried when I got home, and although mine was good, it was nothing like this.

We waited around for the illumination. 

And ended up eating dinner at a rest stop.  Rest stops in Japan are not quite the same as in the US. Some are destinations in themselves with many restaurants, food courts, souvenir shops, etc.  We had beef, egg in sauce on top of rice.

It was a perfect fall day, the scent of autumn in the air, colorful leaves, a bright blue sky, jacket temperatures (meaning not too cold for me except when it got dark).  So lucky.