Tinted Leaves at Their Best in Japan's Northern Alps

Many mountaineers in rain gear climbed to the Karawawa Cirque against a rainy day on December 9. According to the owner of the Karasawa mountain hut, they had good weather during summertime and bushes are beautifully colored in red and yellow. He said, "This is the best to enjoy tinted leaves in recent years." (Sankei Shimbun)

Providing for Wet Snow

Providing for Wet Snow

Gardeners have begun to work on "yuki-tsuri" (Pulling up against snow) at Kenroku-en Gardens in Kanagawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. They will pull up boughs of a hundred pine trees and azaleas until the middle of December. The work is done to prevent branches from breaking down by wet snow. Eleven workers put up a 6-meter-tall pillar along the trunk and attach ropes in a cone. (Yomiuri Shimbun)