I prefer Sapporo in autumn to Kyoto, which is always crowded with tourists.

I've been wanting to visit Sapporo for a long time. I've seen so many breathtaking views in different movies and music videos. But I didn't expect my first encounter with Sapporo to be in autumn, when the mountains are covered in red leaves, instead of winter, when snowflakes are falling. · Unlike Kyoto, Sapporo's autumn is about the mountains and fields. There aren't many temples or shrines, and the red leaves are all blooming in the mountains and canyons, which is somewhat similar to western Sichuan. But compared to western Sichuan, where the roads are jammed with cars and people during the red leaf season, Sapporo is a much better experience. · 📆Time Due to the long and narrow shape of the Japanese archipelago, the red leaf season usually starts at the end of September, with the northernmost Hokkaido turning red first. As the cold air moves south, the maple trees in the Kanto and Kinki regions gradually turn red. I went to Sapporo in mid-October, when the ginkgo trees at Hokkaido University in the city were not yet yellow, but the red leaves in the surrounding mountains were almost at their peak, so the timing was just right. · 📸Photography ✅Sapporo City: I personally think the red leaves in Sapporo City are quite ordinary. The only place worth seeing is the Maple Avenue in Odori Park. Hokkaido University is more famous for its ginkgo trees, but for people from Chengdu, ginkgo trees are not that rare. ✅Jozankei: The best place to see red leaves around Sapporo. You can enjoy the autumn scenery of nature while soaking in the hot springs. Don't miss Futami Park. The Futami Suspension Bridge here often appears on the cover of Japanese maple magazines. From the vermilion Futami Suspension Bridge, you can see the fallen leaves floating in the Kappa Abyss. ✅Sounkyo: Part of Daisetsuzan National Park, it is famous for its spectacular canyons and abundant hot springs. I personally think this place is more like western Sichuan, except there are no snow-capped mountains. The Ryusei Waterfall and Ginga Waterfall in Sounkyo are the most photogenic places. Especially when the sun shines, the red leaves around the waterfall and the splashing water create a beautiful scene that is unforgettable. ✅Sankaitaki: You will pass by here on the way from Jozankei to Noboribetsu. It is a roadside parking spot. It is located on the upper reaches of the Sankaitaki River, where a 15-meter waterfall is formed. The waterfall is particularly photogenic when paired with the colorful mountains. ✅Kimobetsu: Although this place is not known for its red leaves, but for its local specialties, the red leaves around the town and Mount Yotei, known as "Ezo Fuji," are beautiful even when taken casually from the car.