Some impressions and memories seem to stay with us forever. And even if we forget them for a while, a quick glance at a photo usually helps to make past experiences seem fresh again.

And fortunately, I've taken a lot of pictures over the last few years that I like to look at again and again. Especially the pictures from our trips and excursions here in the Land of the Rising Sun, which help me to regularly remind myself of my experiences and show me how much of this wonderful country I have already been able to see.

In particular, we have visited one area of Japan quite often in recent years, the Aizu region in the west of Fukushima Prefecture. We are always drawn there, and it doesn't matter what time of year it is. However, I have to say that autumn has a very special effect on me and I just can't get enough of its wonderful colors.

Autumn leaves are simply amazing, and here in Japan they are even more colorful and bright than I was used to in my home country. Especially the leaves of the gingko tree, which turn yellow in autumn and create a very special spectacle on the trees and also on the ground.

When you stand in front of an almost golden glowing gingko tree or a thick carpet of yellow gingko leaves, it can quickly take your breath away. You don't forget such a sight so quickly, it's something you want to remember for a long time.

During an autumn visit to Aizu, we went to a small temple on the edge of the forest where we encountered exactly this kind of sight. Myriads of gingko leaves were lying on the ground and you almost didn't dare to walk over them. The dreamy temple complex really began to glow and appeared in a truly magnificent mood. The cold rainy weather around us didn't bother us at all and suddenly there was even a bit of blue sky. It couldn't have been much better during our visit.

And I always enjoy looking at all these golden-yellow gingko leaves again and again. And then I make plans for next fall and hope that I might be able to make it to this exact spot again. But even if I don't, I'm sure I'll be able to discover something wonderful somewhere else, which I can then tell you about in another little post right here...