Where To See The Best Fall Leaves In Tokyo
I hope you’re all rested up from our cherry blossom death march last spring, because it’s time to strap on your camera and a couple of extra batteries to hunt down the best autumn leaves in Tokyo! Here are my picks, from ginkgo season through momiji:
Arranged from earliest to latest:
SHOWA KINEN PARK - Tachikawa
The Japanese maples change color early in the Japanese garden at Showa Kinen Park, because it’s outside the heat island of central Tokyo. Look for them in early November.
The momiji are truly spectacular, with many varieties showing off the whole spectrum of leaves from yellow to red.
This gorgeous promenade of ginkgo trees hits it’s peak after the Japanese maples, around mid-November.
You can walk under the twin promenades through a tunnel of gold.
Bonus attraction: There is a really choice bonsai garden within the Japanese garden walls, and this open tea room displays the most spectacular specimens.
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GOTOKUJI TEMPLE – Gotokuji station
Gotokuji’s wooden pagoda is the perfect backdrop for splendid red and gold maple leaves in mid-November. You’ll find them here earlier than in central Tokyo.
The momiji here turn very satisfying colors of red and orange.
Added bonus: There is a shrine on the temple grounds where thousands of “good luck” maneki neko cat figures have been offered to ensure success in business.
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ICHOU NAMIKI – Aoyama-itchome
By late November, this famous boulevard is attracting thousands and thousands of camera-happy gawkers every day, but you can still enjoy the trees despite the crowds.
Ginkgo leaves at their peak, at Ichou Namiki
DIRECTIONS & MAP
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YOYOGI PARK – Harajuku Station
Towering ginkgo trees are bright yellow, starting in mid-November.
At twilight, you can scuff your feet through a sea of yellow leaves.
By late November, the maples are turning orange and red.
The trees at Yoyogi Park are big – in the fall it’s a forest of yellow and red right in the middle of Tokyo!
Bonus attraction: Yoyogi Park is home to all kinds of free entertainment every Sunday afternoon, from rockabilly dancing to traditional rakugo to the local husky club dressed in manga schoolgirl uniforms.
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HIKARIGAOKA PARK – Hikarigaoka Station
This promenade of ginkgo trees is quite majestic, and extends for several blocks in mid to late-November.
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TOKYO UNIVERSITY - Todaimae
Tokyo University’s gothic buildings are the perfect backdrop for a lovely line-up of ginkgo trees. They reach their golden peak in mid-November, and there’s never a crowd, so you can enjoy a peaceful walk under the canopy.
The entrance to Tokyo University is just outside the Todaimae subway station.
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NEZU SHRINE – Nezu Station
Golden ginkgo trees shade the red torii gate at the Nezu Shrine, starting in mid-November.
Usually the main gate is themost colorful thing around, but the ginkgos and maples make its red lacquer and gold leaf seem pale in comparison. They’re at their best in late November.
This is my favorite shrine in Tokyo, and autumn is one of the best times to see it.
Bonus attraction: you can walk though a glowing tunnel of orange torii gates.
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KORAKU-EN GARDEN – Koraku-en Station
The Japanese maples at Koraku-en Garden are like jewels in a setting of green. They’re at their peak in late November.
Maples of every color surprise you in each of the sub-gardens.
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RIKUGI-EN GARDEN – Komagome Station
Rikugi-en never disappoints, with its 88 views from famous waka poems.
Maple trees flame in all colors of the rainbow in late November.
Bonus attraction: From the third week in November through the first week in December, the garden is lit up at night until 9:00 for your leaf-viewing pleasure.
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SHINJUKU GYOU-EN GARDEN – Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyou-en is most beautiful in early morning, when the pond reflects the changing Japanese maples and cherry trees.
As November moves into December, the garden only becomes more colorful.
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ARISUGAWA PARK - Hiroo Station
This hidden gem of a park is perfect for a stroll before heading out for a night in Nakameguro, Ebisu or Roppongi.
Trees of all colors reflect in the serene pond by mid to late-November.
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Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series, published by Penguin/Intermix.
