Presently, I’m in the field for my annual Japan Autumn Leaves Essence of Japan photo workshop tour in an area that straddles both Niigata and Nagano prefectures, Akiyamago.  As I mentioned before, Japan is 70% unpopulated wilderness, and this region has some of the most dazzling red, gold, and orange autumn leaves that I have ever seen during my more than two decades exploring Japan.  The location has gained some popularity on tourism websites as of late, but all of the locations that run of the mill photography/tourist agencies will introduce their clients to represent only the barest essentials.  As a lifetime adventurer, off the beaten path locations are my specialty, and since many of the roads in the Akiyamago region have no guard rails and require professional level driving for safety’s sake, so when I’m on personal adventures, I explore to my heart’s content, and I file away some of the safer locations to add to my Essence of Autumn Leaves itineraries so I can introduce some of the mysticism and beautiful fall colors in the region.  As an amateur historian, I found the region to have a rich history that only fueled my curiosity to explore more of Akiyamago.  Samurai and Samurai history play a large part in why there are settlements in the region today.  The relatively remote location lends itself to isolation, and that’s precisely why some ronin samurai and their families called the region their home.  The question you may have is, ‘what is a ronin’?  A ronin is a masterless samurai, and when a samurai loses a battle and their master is slain, there are three possible outcomes.  The first is to commit seppuku and die with honor on or near the battlefield.  The second is to join the enemy's forces and become a traitor.  The third, is to lay low and flee to the backcountry with your family and start a new life as a farmer.  In Akiyamago, the natural barrier created by 1 - 3 meters of snow in winter with limited access meant at least a few months of peace and quiet before anyone seeking revenge or a bounty would be able to discover you, a pastoral safe haven.  I shared the samurai history and introduced my clients to some of the same trees that the samurai and their families enjoyed during this year’s Essence of Autumn Leaves photography workshop adventure.