(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

Although the scorching days of summer continue throughout Japan’s mainland, Misawa is already seeing the signs of fall’s arrival.

Crapes myrtle blossoms, known as sarusuberi in Japan, have started to bloom and the green leaves of nanakamado mountain ash is turning crimson in the northern end of Honshu where Misawa sits.

“For Misawa locals, crape myrtle blossoms are the sakura of autumn, and we notice autumn is setting in when we find the blossoms start blooming,” Yoshihito Morita, a Misawa Commissary employee, said. 

Unlike spring’s cherry blossoms, however, crepe myrtle reddish-pink blossoms continue to bloom for months and are thus also known as hyakujitsuko which translates to hundred-day red. Autumn cheer lasts a bit longer than the spring fling.

As Misawa enters its autumn phase, it can only mean summer is nearing its end in the Kanto and beyond. Look out for the early signs of fall like clear skies, crisp air and crickets chirping coming sooner than you think!

Learn more about the autumn traditions, delicacies and more in upcoming issues of Stripes Japan!

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)

(Photo courtesy of Yoshihito Morita)