In Japan, there is a unique way to enjoy autumn called “Momiji-gari” (紅葉狩り), where you can appreciate the changing colors of the leaves before they fall.
For Tokyo, the leaves turn red every year from November to early December. There are many autumn leaves spots from the city center to areas rich in nature outside the 23 special wards for you to enjoy wonderful scenery that matches various autumn leaves. This time, we have compiled famous autumn leaves spots in Tokyo by type, such as Japanese gardens, parks, mountains and lakes.
Autumn leaves spot in quaint Japanese gardens
Japanese gardens (日本庭園 / Nihon Teien) reproduces the great outdoors by artificially arranging plants, stones, mountains, ponds, etc. Unlike Western gardens, Japanese ones are asymmetrical and characterized by their curved shape. Traditional Japanese culture and aesthetics are concentrated within. When the arden is dyed red with autumn leaves, you'll be able to see a painting-like scenery.
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year) | Hours* | Entry Fee (General) | Access | Address |
| Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens | "Circuit-style stroll garden with artificial hills and fountain" centered around a large pond | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00* | 300 yen | About 5 minutes on foot from JR Suidobashi Station | Map |
| Hama-rikyu Gardens | A daimyo garden representative of the Edo period. A garden that became a detached palace even after the Meiji Restoration | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00* | 300 yen | About 5 minutes on foot from Shiodome Station on the Oedo Line | Map |
| Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens | A scenery that matches the yellow leaves in a mansion with Western-style and Japanese-style buildings can be viewed | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00* | 400 yen | About 3 minutes on foot from Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line | Map |
*Admission until 30 minutes before closing time
Relax and enjoy the autumn leaves in parks
In parks where various plants grow thickly and the promenade is installed, you can enjoy the scenery in a different way from the Japanese gardens.
In addition to viewing the plants, there are many ways to enjoy yourself, such as playing with the playground equipment, relaxing on the bench and chatting while watching the autumn leaves, or enjoying photography.
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year) | Hours | Entry Fee (General) | Access | Address |
| Showa Kinen Park | Autumn leaves and lines of ginkgo trees on a very large site can be enjoyed | Early November to late November | 8:30-16:30 (November-February)★ | Green Cultural Zone: Free Paid area: 450 yen | About 8 minutes on foot from Tachikawa-Kita Station | Map |
| Mizumoto Park | The only water park in Tokyo. The scenery of the magnificent forest dyed in brown is beautiful. | Early November to mid-December | Always open | Free (there are some paid facilities) | From Kanamachi Station, take the Keisei Bus to "Mizumoto Park" and walk for about 7 minutes. | Map |
| Hibiya Park | Opened in the Meiji period, this is Japan's first Western-style park where you can enjoy red and yellow autumn leaves. | Late November to early December | Always open | Free (there are some paid facilities) | Right next to Kasumigaseki Station/Hibiya Station | Map |
★Opening hours vary depending on the season and whether it is a free zone (Green Cultural Zone) or a paid zone. Please check the homepage before visiting.
Gardens and parks where autumn leaves light-up events are held
The autumn leaves in the daytime are colorful and you can take beautiful pictures, but they have a different charm at night. You can enjoy the romantic and fantastic atmosphere of the illuminated autumn leaves.
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year) | Hours (commonly) * | Entry Fee (General) | Access | Address |
| Rikugien Garden | One of the two major daimyo gardens of the Edo period. The teahouse “Shinsen-tei” can be used during the illumination period | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00 | 300 yen | About 7 minutes on foot from Komagome Station | Map |
| Otaguro Park | View the autumn leaves in a space surrounded by giant trees and Western-style buildings built in the Showa period | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00 (9:00-20:00 during the light-up period) | Usually free (300 yen during illumination period) | About 10 minutes on foot from Ogikubo Station | Map |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum | You can enjoy both the contrast between the autumn leaves in the Japanese garden and the Western-style mansion. | Late November to early December | 10:00-18:00 | 200 yen | About 7 minutes on foot from JR Yamanote Line Meguro Station / Tokyu Meguro Line Meguro Station | Map |
*Opening hours are subject to change during the light-up period. Please check the website for opening hours and admission fees during the light-up period.
Old-fashioned autumn leaves spots such as temples and shrines
The combination of the historical temples or shrines and the autumn leaves is also a must-see. If you visit during the autumn leaves season, you can enjoy a more mysterious world. Along with autumn leaves viewing, you can also visit the main shrine, buy Omamori charms unique to Japan, and draw omikuji (fortune slips).
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year) | Hours | Access | Address |
| Gotokuji Temple | "Manekineko" beckoning cat figurines welcome you around the precincts | Mid-November to early December | 6:00-17:00 (late September to mid-March) | About 5 minutes on foot from Miyanosaka Station | Map |
| Kuhombutsu Joshin-ji Temple | There are many old trees, buildings that represent temples such as the Niomon gate and a bell tower. | Late November to early December | 6:00-16:30 | About 4 minutes on foot from Kuhombutsu Station | Map |
| Todoroki Fudoson Temple | Recommended to go autumn leaves viewing at Todoroki Valley as well in the same trip | Late November to early December | 6:30-16:30 (Gates close at 17:00) | About 8 minutes on foot from Todoroki Station | Map |
| Takahata-Fudoson Temple | There are cultural assets and temple treasures with a history of more than 1,000 years | Late November to early December | 9:00-17:00 | About 5 minutes on foot from Takahatafudo Station | Map |
(basically the precincts are free to enter)
Autumn leaves spots where you can fully enjoy nature such as mountains, valleys and lakes
The vast nature of the mountains and lakes, and the spectacular view of the autumn leaves spreading wide before your eyes is very impressive. Let's spend an elegant time enjoying autumn leaves by activities such as mountain climbing and canoeing.
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year | Access | Address |
| Lake Okutama | You can also experience various activities such as cycling, canoeing, and rafting. | Early November to late November | About 20 minutes by bus from Okutama Station | Map |
| Mitake Gorge | Trails leading from the station are properly maintained. You can easily enjoy the scenery of autumn leaves in the valley. | Mid-November to late November | About 1 minute on foot from Mitake Station | Map |
| Mt. Takao | You can easily climb the mountain with the cable car lift. The view of autumn leaves seen from the top of the mountain is wonderful. | Mid-November to early December | About 5 minutes on foot from Takaosan-guchi Station | Map |
| Akigawa Valley | The 96m-long “Ishibune-bashi” suspension bridge is also a highlight | Mid-November to early December | About 10 minutes by bus from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station | Map |
Impressive straight roads lined with ginkgo trees
Autumn leaves spots often have scenery where red leaves and yellow leaves are mixed, but golden ginkgo trees by themselves are also popular. The single road lined with ginkgo trees is symmetrical and beautiful like a work of art. Especially when the leaves fall, the scattered leaves spread like a yellow carpet, creating a fantastic sight.
| Spot Name | Feature | Best Time (of the year) | Hours (commonly) | Entry Fee (General) | Access | Address |
| Hikarigaoka Park | Rows of about 40 trees, total length about 200m | Early November to mid-November | Always open | Free | 8 minute walk from Hikarigaoka Station | Map |
| Meijijingu Gaien | Lined with about 1,600 trees, total length about 300m | Mid-November to early December | Always open | Free | About 7 minutes on foot from Aoyama-itchome Station | Map |
| Komazawa Olympic Park | Total length about 800m | Mid-November to early December | Always open | Free | About 15 minutes on foot from Komazawa-daigaku Station / About 20 minutes by bus from Shibuya Station | Map |
| Yasukuni Jinja Shrine | Approximately 250m length in total (from the first torii to the second torii) | Late November to early December | 6:00-17:00 | Free | About 5 minutes on foot from Kudanshita Station | Map |
What kind of autumn leaves scenery do you like the most? If you have a favorite spot, please let us know in the comments!
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