About an hour’s drive from my house, there is a mountain stream.

A mountain stream means a river that flows in the mountains, near the starting point of the river. There is a rule that you must not enter the river, so people walk along the path and enjoy the beautiful water and plants. In summer, the sunlight filtering through the trees and the cool breeze feel wonderful. My favorite season is autumn, because the crisp air feels refreshing. At this mountain stream, you can see spectacular autumn leaves.

Near my house, there are many rice fields. In September, the rice turns yellow. When the sunlight shines on it, it looks golden and very beautiful. The rice sways in the wind and sparkles. Watching it gives me energy. I feel lucky that I can enjoy this scenery for free.

When I was in my twenties, I liked big cities like Tokyo. But now, I feel that quiet places surrounded by nature suit me better. Maybe when I get older, I will like cities again. How about you—do you like nature?