In the fall, the trees are colored and fascinate people as much as or even more than the beauty of flowers.  This is the same regardless in all parts of the world.  However, it is said that Japan has the best beauty of autumn leaves.  It has a lot to do with Japan’s natural environment, especially the climate and terrain.  The environment such as temperature, moisture, and light is closely related to the vivid appearance of autumn leaves.  It is necessary that there is a large difference in temperature between day and night, that there is moderate humidity, and that ultraviolet rays are strong.  That is why even in Japan, the autumn colors are especially beautiful near mountain streams such as Nikko, Oirase, and Hakone.  The mechanism by which the trees turn red is the same in Japan and abroad.  However, we would like to pay attention to the importance of its beauty and strive to protect the natural environment in a sustainable manner.

秋になると木々が色づき、草花の美しさと同じかまたはそれ以上に人の心を魅了します。これは洋の東西を問わず同じです。しかし、秋の紅葉の美しさは日本が一番だと言われています。それは日本の自然環境、特に気候や地形が大いに関係します。紅葉が鮮やかに発現するためには、温度、水分、光などの環境が密接に関係します。昼夜の寒暖の差が大きいこと、適度の湿度があること、紫外線が強いことなど必要です。日本でも日光、奥入瀬(おいらせ)、箱根など山間部の渓流の近くで紅葉が美しいのは、そのためです。木々が紅葉するメカニズムは日本も外国も同じです。しかし、その美しさが一番であることの重要性に目を向け、サステナブルな自然環境保護に努めたいと思います。