Hokkaido's Asahidake covered by autumn foliage, season's first snowcap

Autumn foliage is drawing visitors to Mount Asahidake in Hokkaido's Taisetsusan mountain range. The 2,291-meter Asahidake is the highest peak in Japan's northernmost prefecture. Leaves near the summit began changing color in mid-September, about two weeks later than normal.

The red and yellow leaves are now best for viewing in the area around the 1,300-meter mark. Visitors took photographs near a ropeway station in the 1,600-meter zone. Weather officials say the season's first snowcap was observed on the peak on Wednesday, about nine days later than normal.