The autumn public viewing period for Kunen-an, a National Place of Scenic Beauty in Kanzaki, Saga Prefecture, began on November 15, 2025. Due to delayed foliage coloration from factors like global warming, the period has been extended from nine to 16 days until month's end. On the clear opening day, tourists lined up early and strolled through the gardens as leaves began to change color.
Kunen-an is the collective name for the villa and gardens developed during the Meiji era (1868-1912) by Saga-born industrialist Itami Bunemon and his son Yataro. The name comes from the nine years it took to complete the garden. The approximately 6,800-square-meter garden features around 600 trees of roughly 60 species, including maples and azaleas. While normally closed to the public, the Saga prefectural and Kanzaki city governments and other organizations open it every spring and autumn.
The site opened shortly past 8:00 a.m. on a clear day, with visitors lining up from early morning to stroll leisurely or take photos amid trees just beginning to change color. "I think the leaves turned a much deeper red when I visited as a child, but the contrast between green and red is also beautiful," said a 21-year-old male university student from Saga.
Renowned as a prime autumn foliage spot, the delay in coloration due to global warming has prompted the extension and expansion of accessible areas, offering new perspectives on the scenery in response to climate change.