Within the holiday periods, probably spring and autumn stand out because of two of the major natural events in Japan, the cherry tree bloom (桜) and the red leaves (紅葉). Those acts of appreciation of nature are very important (at least more than in most of western cultures) and are tied to Japan's national essence, culture and tradition. By admiring these annual phenomenons the Japanese somehow, consciously or not, pay tribute to their shinto roots, based on the worshipping of nature, and also to the buddhist heritage that gives a special value to the fleetingness and imperfection of all things: like the falling petals or leaves, everything will perish in this life, and this condition holds a sense of beauty developed in Japanese culture and arts during centuries, giving birth to well known literary concepts as mono no aware or wabi sabi.
Crowds nearby Kiyomizu-deraToday, despite of all the distractions and amusement forms that modern world offers, all kinds of people still feel atracted by the sights of the four seasons, that are also related with different foods and activities. With that, families, couples, groups of friends and bunches of photographers (both amateur and professional) don't miss the chance of capturing this moment one year more using either cellphone cameras or expensive zoom lenses. No one wants to miss the show that rich Japanese nature offers year after year.
Bunches of pushy tourists taking pictures with their cameras and cellphones
Yes, Japan does put on a nice show, as does its people. Thus there is always something interesting to photograph. Heaven for visual anthropologists?