Autumn in Tokyo offers a wide variety of seasonal scenery, from beautiful gardens in the city centre and golden ginkgo avenues to mountains surrounded by rich nature. 🍁
In central Tokyo, autumn colours usually reach their best from mid-Nov to early Dec. In mountainous areas such as Okutama and at Showa Kinen Park, however, the leaves begin changing from around late Oct. 🍂
For this reason, choosing your autumn foliage destination based on the timing of your trip is recommended.
Please note that the best viewing period may vary depending on the temperature and weather each year. Check the latest information on official websites before visiting.
- When Is the Best Time to See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo?
- 1. Lake Okutama | Late Oct–Mid-Nov 🏞️
- 2. Showa Kinen Park | Late Oct–Mid-Nov 🌳
- 3. Mount Takao | Mid-Nov–Early Dec ⛰️
- 4. Meiji Jingu Gaien | Mid-Nov–Early Dec 💛
- 5. Shinjuku Gyoen | Mid-Nov–Mid-Dec 🌿
- 6. Rikugien Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🏯
- 7. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🍁
- 8. Hama-rikyu Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🌇
- Where Should You See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo by Season?
- Tips for Enjoying Tokyo’s Autumn Colours Comfortably ⏰
- Conclusion | Enjoy Tokyo’s Autumn Colours from Late Oct to Dec ✨
When Is the Best Time to See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo?
The timing of autumn colours varies depending on the area.
| Period | Recommended Spots |
|---|---|
| Late Oct–mid-Nov | Lake Okutama, Showa Kinen Park |
| Mid-Nov–early Dec | Mount Takao, Meiji Jingu Gaien, Shinjuku Gyoen |
| Late Nov–early Dec | Rikugien Gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Hama-rikyu Gardens |
Tokyo’s official tourism website also introduces late Oct to mid-Nov as the typical best viewing period for Showa Kinen Park and Lake Okutama, and mid-Nov to early Dec for Mount Takao.
Official autumn foliage information:
https://www.gotokyo.org/jp/story/guide/autumn-leaves-forecast/index.html
1. Lake Okutama | Late Oct–Mid-Nov 🏞️
Typical best viewing period: Late Oct–mid-Nov
If you would like to enjoy autumn colours slightly earlier than in central Tokyo, Lake Okutama is recommended.
The mountains surrounding the lake turn red and yellow, creating magnificent scenery that feels completely different from autumn foliage spots in the city.
One of its greatest attractions is the opportunity to enjoy views of the lake together with the colourful mountains, making it ideal for visitors who want to walk slowly through peaceful natural surroundings.
Recommended points
- Autumn colours appear relatively early compared with central Tokyo
- Enjoy views of both the lake and colourful mountains
- Experience impressive natural scenery away from the city
- Recommended for visitors who want to enjoy autumn at a relaxed pace
Buses towards Lake Okutama are available from JR Okutama Station.
Google Maps:
View Lake Okutama on Google Maps
Official / Tourism Information:
Lake Okutama | GO TOKYO
2. Showa Kinen Park | Late Oct–Mid-Nov 🌳
Typical best viewing period: Late Oct–mid-Nov
If you want to see beautiful ginkgo avenues in autumn, Showa Kinen Park should not be missed.
Inside the park, there is the Canal Ginkgo Avenue, stretching for approximately 200 metres, as well as the Katarai Ginkgo Avenue, which extends for approximately 300 metres.
When the trees reach their peak, the entire avenue turns golden, creating scenery that resembles a tunnel of yellow leaves.
Because the park is very large, it is also recommended for families and couples who want to enjoy a slow walk surrounded by autumn colours.
Recommended points
- One of Tokyo’s representative ginkgo spots
- Beautiful golden avenues
- Spacious grounds for relaxed walks
- Easy to enjoy with children
The Nishi-Tachikawa Gate is around a two-minute walk from JR Nishi-Tachikawa Station. Tokyo’s official tourism website lists late Oct to mid-Nov as the typical best viewing period.
Google Maps:
View Showa Kinen Park on Google Maps
Official Website:
Showa Kinen Park Official Website
3. Mount Takao | Mid-Nov–Early Dec ⛰️
Typical best viewing period: Mid-Nov–early Dec
If you want to combine autumn colours with mountain walking, Mount Takao is recommended.
In autumn, the entire mountain changes to shades of red, yellow and orange, allowing visitors to experience the changing season while walking from the foot of the mountain towards the summit.
You do not need to take on a full hiking route, as cable cars and chair lifts are also available. This makes it easier to plan according to your fitness level and travel style.
Recommended points
- Enjoy autumn colours across the entire mountain
- Combine hiking with seasonal scenery
- Easy to visit as a day trip
- Cable cars are available
The official Takao-san Yakuoin website also introduces beautiful autumn foliage areas around the temple grounds, gates and Buddhist stupa.
During the autumn foliage season, weekends can become extremely crowded, so weekday mornings are recommended whenever possible.
Google Maps:
View Mount Takao on Google Maps
Official / Tourism Information:
Mount Takao | GO TOKYO
Autumn Foliage Information:
Takao-san Yakuoin Autumn Foliage Information
4. Meiji Jingu Gaien | Mid-Nov–Early Dec 💛
Typical best viewing period: Mid-Nov–early Dec
One of Tokyo’s most iconic autumn scenes is the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien.
The avenue stretches for approximately 300 metres from Aoyama-dori towards the Seitoku Memorial Picture Gallery.
According to the official website, 146 ginkgo trees line the avenue, creating a beautiful golden landscape in autumn.
Recommended points
- One of Tokyo’s best-known ginkgo avenues
- Easy access from central Tokyo
- Excellent for photography
- Easy to combine with nearby sightseeing
The area can become particularly crowded on weekends during the peak season, so weekday mornings are recommended if you would like to take photographs at a more relaxed pace.
Google Maps:
View Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue on Google Maps
Official Website:
Meiji Jingu Gaien | Ginkgo Avenue Through the Seasons
5. Shinjuku Gyoen | Mid-Nov–Mid-Dec 🌿
Typical best viewing period: Mid-Nov–mid-Dec
For a peaceful place to enjoy autumn colours in the heart of the city, Shinjuku Gyoen is recommended.
The spacious grounds contain many different trees, including maples, ginkgo trees, plane trees and metasequoias, which change colour at different times.
As a result, visitors can enjoy autumn scenery over a relatively long period.
In 2025, ginkgo trees reached their peak in late Nov, while maple trees in areas such as Momijiyama were still at their best in mid-Dec.
Recommended points
- A peaceful atmosphere despite its central location
- Many different types of autumn foliage
- Beautiful combinations of lawns, ponds and colourful trees
- Easy to combine with sightseeing around Shinjuku
If you would like to check the progress of the autumn colours in detail, the official seasonal information page is useful.
Google Maps:
View Shinjuku Gyoen on Google Maps
Official Website:
Shinjuku Gyoen Official Website
Autumn Foliage / Seasonal Information:
Shinjuku Gyoen Autumn Foliage Information
6. Rikugien Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🏯
Typical best viewing period: Late Nov–early Dec
If you want to enjoy autumn colours together with the beauty of a traditional garden, Rikugien Gardens is particularly recommended.
The garden is designed around a large pond with hills and trees arranged throughout the landscape. In autumn, maples and ginkgo trees turn red and yellow. Rikugien Gardens is also designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
In addition, the Rikugien Gardens Special Evening Autumn Viewing is scheduled to take place from 25/11/2026 to 06/12/2026.
Illuminated autumn leaves create a magical atmosphere that feels completely different from the garden during the daytime.
Recommended points
- Beautiful combination of a traditional garden and autumn colours
- Excellent place to see red maple leaves
- Special evening viewing scheduled for 2026
- Recommended for photography
Evening viewing may have different admission procedures from normal opening hours, so check the latest information on the official website before visiting.
Google Maps:
View Rikugien Gardens on Google Maps
Official Website:
Rikugien Gardens | Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
7. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🍁
Typical best viewing period: Late Nov–early Dec
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is recommended for visitors who want to enjoy autumn colours in a peaceful traditional garden.
In autumn, the maples turn vivid shades of red and orange, creating beautiful scenery together with ponds, stone bridges and the historic landscape.
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is designated as both a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty, offering a calmer experience than more energetic sightseeing areas.
Recommended points
- Beautiful red maple leaves
- Traditional garden scenery
- Relatively compact and easy to explore
- Recommended for visitors seeking a quieter autumn foliage spot
The garden is within walking distance of JR Suidobashi Station and Iidabashi Station.
Google Maps:
View Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens on Google Maps
Official Website:
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens | Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
8. Hama-rikyu Gardens | Late Nov–Early Dec 🌇
Typical best viewing period: Late Nov–early Dec
Hama-rikyu Gardens offers the chance to enjoy a traditional garden and Tokyo’s modern cityscape at the same time.
The grounds contain Japanese maples, trident maples and ginkgo trees, which create beautiful autumn colours around the ponds.
The view of high-rise buildings rising beyond the colourful garden creates scenery that feels very different from Tokyo’s other autumn foliage spots.
Recommended points
- See a traditional garden and high-rise buildings together
- Enjoy a peaceful autumn walk in central Tokyo
- Easy to combine with sightseeing around Ginza and Shiodome
- Suitable even for shorter sightseeing schedules
Google Maps:
View Hama-rikyu Gardens on Google Maps
Official Website:
Hama-rikyu Gardens | Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
Where Should You See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo by Season?
Late Oct–Early Nov
If you want to enjoy autumn colours earlier in the season, the best choices are:
- Lake Okutama
- Showa Kinen Park
Okutama, in particular, experiences autumn earlier than central Tokyo because of its mountainous location.
Mid-Nov–Late Nov
This is when the number of autumn foliage options increases considerably.
Recommended places include:
- Mount Takao
- Meiji Jingu Gaien
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Showa Kinen Park
Late Nov–Early Dec
This is an especially good period for seeing autumn colours in central Tokyo.
Recommended places include:
- Rikugien Gardens
- Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
- Hama-rikyu Gardens
- Meiji Jingu Gaien
- Shinjuku Gyoen
Many of these locations offer beautiful autumn scenery during this period.
Tips for Enjoying Tokyo’s Autumn Colours Comfortably ⏰
Popular autumn foliage spots can become crowded during the peak season.
Mount Takao, Meiji Jingu Gaien and Rikugien Gardens, in particular, can attract large crowds at weekends, so weekday mornings are recommended whenever possible.
Temperatures can also vary significantly between mountainous areas and central Tokyo.
When visiting Okutama or Mount Takao, prepare for cooler temperatures than in the city and bring an outer layer that is easy to put on or remove.
Useful items to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- An easy-to-layer jacket
- Mobile battery
- Drinks
- Small bag
Because the timing of autumn colours changes depending on the weather, it is recommended to check the latest foliage conditions on the official website a few days before your visit.
Conclusion | Enjoy Tokyo’s Autumn Colours from Late Oct to Dec ✨
One of the attractions of autumn in Tokyo is that not every location changes colour at the same time.
The season begins around late Oct at Lake Okutama and Showa Kinen Park, followed by Mount Takao and Meiji Jingu Gaien in Nov. From late Nov into Dec, gardens such as Rikugien Gardens and Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens become beautifully coloured.
Mountains covered in autumn colours, golden ginkgo avenues and red maples reflecting across peaceful gardens.
Even within Tokyo, the autumn scenery changes dramatically depending on where you visit.
Match your travel dates with the best viewing period and discover the autumn landscape that suits your journey.
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