Leaf peeping is an informal term in the United States for the activity in which people travel to view and photograph the fall foliage in areas where leaves change colors in autumn, particularly in northern New England and the upper Midwest.. An organised excursion for leaf peeping is called a foliage tour. A similar custom in Japan is called momijigari
United States
The term "leaf peeper" is used both with appreciation from businesses that benefit from the millions that pour into the higher elevations of the West, upper Midwest, and northern New England in fall, and with disdain from those who have to use the roads that get over-crowded due to leaf peepers. Hobbyists who get together for leaf peeping may refer to their gatherings as leaf peepshows.
The term "leaf peeping" has been used in numerous television shows, including "And It's Surely To Their Credit," an episode of The West Wing which originally aired on November 1, 2000 and "Live Free or Die," an episode of "The Sopranos" which originally aired on April 16, 2006. In "Lethal Weapons", an episode of Family Guy, obnoxious New York City tourists visiting New Hampshire to see fall leaves are pejoratively referred to as "leafers".
Japan
Momijigari, from the Japanesemomiji, "red leaves" or "maple tree" and kari, "hunting", is the Japanese tradition of going to visit scenic areas where leaves have turned red in the autumn. It is also called kōyō. Kōyō is another pronunciation of the characters for "momiji" which means "fall colors" or "leaves changing colors". It is also called kanpūkai in Hokkaidō, which means "getting together to view the leaves". Many Japanese people take part in this, with the cities of Nikkō and Kyoto being particularly famous destinations. The tradition is said to have originated in the Heian era as a cultured pursuit, and is the reason why many deciduous trees can be found in the Kyoto area. There is also a tradition of going to see areas where grasses change colour, such as on the Oze plain.
