As the mornings and evenings have become quite chilly in Kyoto, expectations for leaves' autumn coloring are growing. According to the Kyoto Botanical Garden, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, the appropriate drop in temperature and favorable rainfall have produced ideal conditions for beautiful autumnal color this year. Colorful brocade-like autumn scenery can be expected at tourist spots.

Chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, decomposes when the low temperature hits 6 to 7 degrees Celsius, and the larger the difference between day and night temperatures, the more actively anthocyan, red pigment, is produced. The Kyoto Local Meteorological Observatory reports that October rainfall was 160 millimeters, 40 millimeters higher than usual, and the lowest temperature fell to 7.8 degrees Celsius on October 27, or 3.1 degrees lower than average. These are suitable conditions for colorful foliage.

Kenji Ogura, chief of the tree section in the Botanical Garden, said, "We had plenty of sunlight this summer. Zelkova leaves began to turn reddish brown at the end of last month, following the trend for years we had good autumnal color. If everything goes well, leaves will change color beautifully in mid-November."

Weathernews, a weather forecast company in Tokyo, anticipates that autumn leaves in Arashiyama will be at their best for viewing on November 16, as usual, and that their color will be more vivid than a typical year. Many sightseeing sites and related businesses are hoping for an increase in tourists.

Eizan Electric Railway, Sakyo Ward, will illuminate "Momiji no Tonneru," or tunnel of maple leaves, along the railway from November 12 to 30. Last year, there were 35,000 passengers during the event, 23,000 less than the previous year due to the influence of the new influenza virus, but the railway hopes this year there will be more, saying, "There is good chance of recovering passengers if leaves' color becomes bright." Famous sights for autumnal color in Kyoto City are also eagerly preparing. "Takao-Hoshokai," a preservation association for the Takao area, remarked, "The best season will not come later than last year."

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, however, the Kansai area will be slightly colder this winter than in the past decade, during which most of the winters were unusually warm. Some express concerns about an extreme drop in temperature. Katsuhiko Tanaka, an executive director of "Arashiyama Hoshokai," or Arashiyama conservation society, said, "Leaves might fall soon if it gets extremely cold. I hope fall leaves will last until around December 10, when 'Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro,' or lantern illumination event, begins."