Where to see the best autumn leaves spots in Tokyo? From parks, Japanese gardens, to shrines

  • Nov 30, 2018
  • Mar 7, 2023
  • Cody Ng

【Latest in 2022】A large collection of autumn leaves spots in Tokyo! Where to go to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo? park? Japanese garden? shrine?

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

Autumn leaves spot in quaint Japanese gardens
Koishikawa Korakuen 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 NameFeature
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

Relax and enjoy the autumn leaves in the parks
Hibiya Park

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 NameFeature
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

Rikugien Gardens

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 NameFeature
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

Old-fashioned autumn leaves spots such as temples and shrines
Example

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 NameFeature
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

Autumn leaves spots where you can fully enjoy nature such as mountains, valleys and lakes
Example

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 NameFeature
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

Example

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 NameFeature
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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