The 10 Best Places to See Autumn leaves in Tokyo, Japan!

Do you like viewing the autumnal tints? When the season comes to autumn, the state of the colours is reported in the media, isn’t it? When you go to the famous place to view the autumnal tints, haven’t you had an experience where you came back home being exhausted by the traffic jam or huge crowds? Actually, you don’t have to drive that far in order to view the autumnal tints. There are many places which you can enjoy them in Tokyo. I’m introducing the 10 attractive spots. I’d like you who live near to or who are on holiday right now to check it out.

1. Speaking of the autumnal tints in Tokyo! Let’s stroll in the magical garden! [Rigugien]

The [Rikugien] which is situated near the Komagome station in the Bunkyo-ward was created by the butler for the 5th Shogun, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. It is the feudal lord garden which represents the Edo-era. The style is called [Yushiki Chikusan Teien Sensui]. You can stroll on the path around the large pond surrounded with lots of trees.

In late November, about 450 acers and maple-trees as well as about 600 wax-trees and ginko-trees start colouring the garden, so you can enjoy the autumnal tints from every angle in the garden together with the arranged hill and pond. The autumnal tints look beautiful in daytime, but at night you can enjoy the dreamy scenery of their reflection in the pond in the illuminated garden.

2. Strolling on the beautiful Golden-road The popular autumnal tints spot in Tokyo [Meiji-jingu Gaien]

The [Meiji-jingu Gaien] was landscaped in the Taisho-era. It is the place where you can enjoy various sporting facilities, including the Jingu Baseball Ground as well as the seasonal nature. Especially, the avenue of ginko-trees stretching for 300m from the Aoyama gate is the representative of the autumnal spot in Tokyo and many people visit there every year.

More than 140 ginko-trees are lined up on both sides of the street and at the end of November, you can feel as if you are walking through a golden tunnel. You can experience the scenery which is well named to be called the Golden-road. When you look into it from the Aoyama street side, the landscape just like the one scene from a film spreads out in front of you. It will overwhelm visitors. Please go there!

3. The colourful autumnal tints in the attractive oasis in Tokyo [Shinjuku Gyoen]

It is located in the middle of Tokyo, Shinjuku with its towering buildings. It is especially famous for the cherry blossoms, but at the autumnal tints time, many people visit there every day. The [Shinjuku Gyoen] was created as the garden for the Imperial Household’s use only in the Meiji-era. It is in the big city, Tokyo, but you can enjoy Japanese autumnal scenery itself there.

Starting with the cherry trees, ginko-trees, metasequoia etc. about 1200 trees in total have been planted, so you can enjoy the autumnal tints from early November until mid-December, moving along with the date. You can see the different colours and discover new fresh scenery at each visit.

4. Enjoy the autumnal tints in the large park The standard spot in Tokyo [Yoyogi park]

The [Yoyogi Park] in the Shinjuku-ward has a large site and it is the standard strolling as well as a dating spot. It is always crowded regardless of the season. Especially, in autumn, the zelkova-trees, ginko-trees and maple-trees a total of 130 start colouring and the scenery is so beautiful that it has been gaining popularity with many people. The best spot in the park is where the yellow ginko-trees surround the Harajuku-gate and the vermilion red maple-trees are near the fountain. The contrast of these trees impresses beyond description.

As many benches have been set up, you can enjoy and appreciate the autumnal tints with your family or friends, chatting on the bench. The cycling path has been maintained and there is the rent-a-cycle shop to enjoy both cycling and the colours. Why don’t you view the autumnal tints, lying down on the grass?

5. The spot to appreciate the miniature autumnal Japanese landscape [Koishikawa Korakuen]

The [Koishikawa Korakuen] was originally created on the Edo-site of the Tokugawa clan, branch family in the Mito-city. The garden expresses the nature with flowing water and various structures which were a copy of the scenic beauty from Japan as well as China. In the garden which is 1.5 times as big as the Tokyo Dome, the conventional beautiful Japanese scenery still remains.

The best time for the autumnal tints is from late November to early December. The acers, maple-trees, wax-trees, zelkova-trees and ginko-trees turn red and yellow. Especially, around the Ohi river which is the reconstruction of Arashiyama in Kyoto, the balance of colours of many trees is so attractive that it is the scenic beauty spot. You can enjoy Mother Nature in the middle of Tokyo.

6. Enjoy the dynamic panoramic scenery to the full! Enjoy the autumnal tints in the mountain! [Mt. Mitake]

Mt. Mitake is 929m above the sea and has been known for the mountain worship since a long time ago. It is in the Okutama area which is 1 and a half hours from Tokyo by train. It is famous for casual hiking or viewing the autumnal tints, using the cable-car. As the air-temperature is lower than the one in the city of Tokyo, the best time for viewing the colours is early to mid-November.

You can view the vast panoramic scenery of red and yellow maple-trees and acers which is different from the spots for the autumnal tints in Tokyo. As enough toilet-facilities have been installed, even females can climb up to the summit without worry. Why don’t you experience the nature in Tokyo?

7. Be fascinated by the mountains which are turned aglow by the autumnal tints. If you talk about climbing a mountain, it is [Mt. Takao].

Mt. Takao is located in the place which is an hour-ride on a train from the Tokyo station. It is a casual hiking spot which attracts many sightseers throughout the year. You can go halfway up using the cable-car or a lift where the observation deck is set. When you arrive at the summit of the mountain, after walking for 35 minutes, you can command the towering skyscrapers in Tokyo as well as the Kanto Plain.

The hight of the mountain is 599m above the sea. It is not a high mountain, but it is full of nature and during mid-November to early December, the red colour of various maple-trees covers the mountain and pleases many visitors’ eyes. It is said that this mountain attracts the largest number of visitors in the world. Why don’t you go there?

8. Admire the autumnal tints which are reflected in the water The spot full of nature in Tokyo [Okutamakohan]

The lake Okutama is in between the Tokyo and the Yamanachi prefecture. It is the artificial lake where the river Tamagawa was dammed back. (reservoir) You can view the wonderful autumnal tints on the mountain close to the lake. It is one of the greatest viewing spots for viewing changing colours. On the bridge above the river, you can see the 360°panoramic view from the middle of the lake. It is the most popular spot in the Lake Okutama area.

As the best season is from mid-October to mid-November, it is recommended for people who want to have a view earlier before others. There is the [Yama-no-furusato-mura] nearby and you can enjoy camping or fishing there. Please enjoy these activities as well.

9. Enjoy the autumnal tints, feeling the history The center of Tokyo[Kohkyo Higashi-gyoen]

The [Kohkyo Higashi-gyoen] is the garden on the east side of the Imperial Household and you can see both the beautiful nature and the ruins of the Edo Castle. Many visitors from all over Japan and from overseas come. On the stone wall of the moat, most trees are evergreen, but the autumnal tints are famous in the copse near the Ninomaru palace in the garden. It is so beautiful that it will make you forget that you are in Tokyo.

The best time of viewing is from late November to early December. In the copse, many trees such as oaks, Kunugi-oaks and wax-trees have been planted and the vivid red or yellow colours please visitors’ eyes. Would you like to enjoy the coloured maple-trees in the center of Japan, [Imperial Household]?

10. Strolling and appreciating the changing colours casually[Hibiya Park]

The [Hibiya Park] is the park in the Chiyoda-ward which opened in the Meiji-era, as the western-styled park by the first City Planning Project in Japan. Various flowers of each season bloom here and it has been the place of relaxation for the residents. The best time to view the autumnal tints is from mid-November to early December and ginko-trees, maple-trees and oaks turn red and yellow beautifully.

Especially, the ginko-tree avenue around the tennis-court and the maple-trees near the crane fountain are recommended. The reflection in the water is more beautiful and magnificent than you would expect. It would be nice to visit and have a picnic there. Why don’t you refresh yourself in this park surrounded by the towering buildings?

In the Big city, Tokyo, let’s be comforted by the beautiful autumnal scenery!

How did you find the 10 selected autumnal tints spots in Tokyo? There are many places where you can relax and have a view of the changing colours in the busy city. They are all suitable places to visit with your family, friends, partners or even on your own. When the autumnal tints season arrives, please visit, appreciate and enjoy yourself. There is no doubt that you’ll be fascinated by the Japanese-styled autumn and beautiful magical scenery.