Golds, russets and reds — the colours of autumn in Japan are mesmerising.

I recently returned from my first visit to this exciting country and what a fabulous introduction it was. I was one of seven bloggers and journalists invited to Shoryudo, the central region of Japan’s main island Honshu, to promote the lesser-known prefectures (counties/states) of Aichi and Gifu.

We discovered mountaintop castles in the clouds, we bathed in hot springs, learnt how to weave and to make sandals, paper, candles and even imitation food out of wax. We ate crab’s brain (not bad), eel’s liver (yuk) and matcha ice cream (yum!). But most memorable of all, we followed in the footsteps of the samurai along the Nakasendō and Tōkaidō pathways.

I took thousands of photos (quite literally) and I have so many things I’d like to write about that it is hard to know where to start. So first off, here’s a roundup of the trip as shared on Instagram by myself and some of my fellow bloggers — a great group of people that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. Scroll down to see some of the highlights from our autumn trip to Japan.

Magome, one of the post stations along the Nakasendo Trail between Tokyo to Kyoto, where travellers used to stop to rest each night. The route is about 400 years old. Samurai would travel along it on horseback, noble women would be in carriages (carried by men) and commoners would walk. Check out my stories for more. . . . . #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #VisitChubu #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #TravelAddict #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Nov 27, 2017 at 8:56pm PST

It’s so good to be back in Japan and eating this wonderful food! #shoryudo #visitjapanjp #jtb #gocentraljapan #visitchubu #shoryuto

A post shared by Globalhelpswap (@globalhelpswap) on Nov 25, 2017 at 7:39pm PST

Hi I’ve spent the past two days walking through parts of Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, exploring small mountian villages, visiting Shinto shrines and taking approximately one million photos of Japanese maple trees. I’ve spent most of the time walking the Nakasendo trail which runs all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto and usually takes two weeks to walk (I’m cheating, sorry). This photo is from the post town of Nakatsugawa along the route—a pretty ordinary village but still 100% picturesque! ⛩️ #japan #shoryudo #visitjapanjp ? by @ichigoichielove

A post shared by Adam ? (@travelsofadam) on Nov 28, 2017 at 7:23am PST

Gorgeous traditional architecture and morning sunlight on our way to see shrines in central Japan earlier today. The culture here is incredibly rich. And beauty is subtle, peaceful; seen best in the way Japanese people interact. #visitjapanjp #gocentraljapan #travel #adventuretravel

A post shared by Andy Christian Castillo (@visual_musings) on Nov 27, 2017 at 4:08am PST

Gujo-Hachiman Castle in Central Japan. Perched on top of Hachiman Mountain in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture, the original castle was built in 1559. In 1870, following the demise of the Tokugawa shogunate (when power returned to the emperor) the castle was destroyed as part of the country’s modernisation. It was later reconstructed in 1933. It is nicknamed ‘The castle in the sky’ as when viewed from across the valley, if you are very lucky, it appears to be floating in the clouds. Scroll through to see the blue sky that awaited us above the cloud layer. ———————————————– #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographers #castle #globetrotters #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder #Japanlife #traveladdict #travelguide #japanlover #travelasia #traveltime #travelnow #travellersnotebook #travelbloggers #travelporn #SamsungUK #traveldiary

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 16, 2017 at 9:38am PST

We first saw Gujo-Hachiman Castle appearing through the clouds from across the valley. Up close, surrounded by autumn leaves, it was even more beautiful. From this strong hold the feudal Samurai leader ruled over the surrounding land. Check out my story for more. . . . . . #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #VisitChubu #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #TravelAddict #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Nov 28, 2017 at 5:29am PST

The view from Gujo-Hachiman Castle. Feel so lucky to be here. Having a magical time. Have you been to Japan? Did you love it as much as I do?Check out my story for more. . . . . . #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #VisitChubu #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #TravelAddict #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Nov 28, 2017 at 1:54pm PST

One of the many highlights from my trip to Japan was exploring the rural towns in the Shoryudo mountains. This is Gujo-Hachman where we learned to dance, make fake food (made in wax, you often see them in restaurant windows) and drank the most delicious matcha ice cream. ———————————————————————- #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographers #gujohachiman #globetrotters #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder #Japanlife #traveladdict #travelguide #japanlover #travelasia #traveltime #travelnow #travellersnotebook #travelbloggers #travelporn #SamsungUK #traveldiary #riverside #mountainview

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 3, 2017 at 4:45am PST

Tried eel for the first time today! What’s the best or worse thing you’ve eaten while travelling? I didn’t know what to expect but found the eel was very tasty! The scrumptious sauce it was in soaked through to the rice making it particularly good too. The eel liver soup on the other hand I won’t be trying again. It looked particularly uninviting (bottom left of photo). While it didn’t taste of much, the chewy texture was most unpleasant. ———————————————————————- #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #VisitChubu #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #TravelAddict #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Nov 29, 2017 at 4:14am PST

At the airport waiting to go home but I’ve still lots of memories from this fabulous week to share with you. Autumn is a superb time to visit Shoryuto. The maple trees at Asuke, a town in Toyota City, were particularly impressive. ———————————————————————- #toyota #toyotacity #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #TravelAddict #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder #Japanlife #traveladdict #travelguide #japanlover #travelasia #traveltime #travelnow #travelporn #thetravelnova #SamsungUK #traveldiary #autumncolours #fallfoliage

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 1, 2017 at 6:15pm PST

Japan ?? is one stunning country. Out of all the countries we visit we enjoy Japan the most. The people are super friendly, the food is world class and the countryside is designed for Instagram! When are coming to Japan? Let us know and we will give you tips. #visitjapanjp #jtb #japan_of_insta

A post shared by Globalhelpswap (@globalhelpswap) on Nov 30, 2017 at 8:08pm PST

Looking through fence slats at Japanese maple trees in bloom at Asuke Castle in central Japan. Read of my travels through Japan so far at: https://www.gonomad.com/103554-rich-culture-breathtaking-beauty-in-central-japan #visitjapanjp #gocentraljapan #travel #adventuretravel #asuke #castle

A post shared by Andy Christian Castillo (@visual_musings) on Nov 29, 2017 at 12:11am PST

Fascinating to see Noriaki Matsui making these traditional Japanese candles by hand. Now 69 years old, he’s been making them for over 50 years. We also met his daughter who hands paints the candles. You’ll find them at Matsui Candle Atelier in the city of Okasaki. ————————————————————————– #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #VisitJapan #SamsungUK #artisan #artsandcrafts

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 14, 2017 at 7:17am PST

One of the most interesting shrines we visited in Japan was the Toyokawa Inari Shrine in the Aichi Prefecture. It was established in 1441 and is both a Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine. Dedicated to the god of rice, agriculture, fertility and worldly success, it is guarded by thousands of stone foxes to scare away any would be rice thieves. ———————————————— #GoCentralJapan #Shoryudo #JTB #VisitJapan #temple #shrine #SamsungUK

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 15, 2017 at 6:20am PST

The koi fish around Japan were a joy to observe, especially for those of us who are fans of photographs booming with colour. Due to their strong movements and tenacity, koi fish (and koi fish tattoos) are often thought to symbolize strength of will and the ability to overcome adversity. I would also argue that they symbolize simplicity and beauty. This particular pond was at the Toyokawa Inari Shrine in the Aichi Prefecture, but they were ubiquitous across Japan, something I very much adored. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• . . . #japan_of_insta #aichi #toyokawa #koi #koifish #koifishpond #japanfocus #japantrip #japan2017 #japantravel #japanlover #japanlife #japan?? #japan_focus #colourfull #colourfullife #colorfull #colorfulfish #colorfulworld #travelasia #traveljapan #travelporn #travelmore #travelnow #traveltime #tbscommunity #travellove #travelogue #travelwriter #travelphotos

A post shared by Christopher James Mitchell (@travelingmitch) on Dec 16, 2017 at 7:39am PST

The castle of Nagoya at sunset, a fabulous site. The castle is actually a replica but it’s fascinating to see and inside there are some stunning murals of wild animals, countryside scenes as well as daily life. ——————————————————————– #Nagoya #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #BGTW #LPPathfinder #castle #SamsungUK

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 4, 2017 at 6:17am PST

Japan in autumn is stunning. I’ll never forget the view of this hillside in Asuke covered in maple trees – a fabulous display. I dearly hope to return one day. —————————————————- #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographers #globetrotters #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder #Japanlife #traveladdict #travelguide #japanlover #travelasia #traveltime #travelnow #travellersnotebook #fallfoliage #autumncolours #travelbloggers #travelporn #SamsungUK #traveldiary

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 17, 2017 at 5:59am PST

Have my images over the last couple of weeks tempted you to visit central Japan? Whatever the season, if you love walking, history, culture and magnificent views, you won’t be disappointed. I do have a partiality, however, for autumn along the Nakasendo way and I’ll always think of Japan in hues of gold, russet and red. —————————————————————————#Nakasendo #GoCentralJapan #visitjapanjp #Shoryudo #JTB #Japan #instatravel #travel #traveltheworld #TravelPics #VisitJapan #travelblogger #travelphotographers #globetrotters #travelphotographer #LPPathfinder #Japanlife #traveladdict #travelguide #japanlover #travelasia #traveltime #travelnow #travellersnotebook #travelbloggers #travelporn #SamsungUK #traveldiary #Gifu

A post shared by Kathryn Burrington (@travelwithkat) on Dec 19, 2017 at 6:01am PST

Further reading:

In the Footsteps of the Samurai: Walking the Nakasendo Way

33 top tips for first-time visitors to Japan

 

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Disclosure: My visit to Japan was complimentary but, as always, I kept the right to share with you whatever I like here on Travel With Kat.