Fall Foliage in Tokyo 2024/2025: Best Autumn Leaves Spots

The fall foliage in Tokyo is a visual feast, with the fall palette contrasting beautifully with modern architecture. Prime locations like Rikugien Garden and Meiji Jingu Gaien offer a riot of breathtaking colors. Besides, temples, tea houses, museums, and a wealth of autumnal activities make a cultural immersion. For your excellent Japan tour in autumn, below are the best places to view the fall leaves in Tokyo.

When to See the Fall Colors in Tokyo

The fall foliage dots Tokyo with vibrant hues from late October to early December. The golden ginkgo trees are best viewed from mid-November to early December in places like Meiji Jingu Gaien and Imperial East Garden. The red maples are best viewed from late November to early December such as in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and Shinjuku Gyoen. The zelkova trees in Yoyogi Park offer a beautiful display in early December.

Why Is Tokyo's Fall Foliage Worth Visiting

A fall foliage trip in Tokyo means immersing yourself in the orchestrated music of nature and culture. You can stroll through gardens cradling centuries-old teahouses and pagodas, with all kinds of fall colors intertwined. In the mountains, every twist and turn on the trails reveals a different blend of autumn hues against the ancient temples. Besides, the cultural performances and food stalls on the alleys dotted with fall leaves will make your experiences deeper.

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Where to See the Best Autumn Leaves in Tokyo

Shinjuku Gyoen

Renowned for its harmonious fusion of meticulously landscaped Japanese, French, and English gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen is a must-visit for autumn leaves and cultural richness.

As you stroll through the enchanting paths of Shinjuku Gyoen, a tableau gradually reveals itself. The fiery red maples, golden ginkgos, and subtly hued sycamores, bathed in soft sunlight, paint a mesmerizing landscape. With each step you take, this living canvas with delicate textures unfolds.

Nestled within Shinjuku Gyoen, the Japanese landscape garden offers a haven to relish the autumn leaves. Its placid ponds mirror the canopy overhead, doubling the visual delight. Amidst this captivating landscape, elegant tea houses beckon you to savor the rich matcha tea.

Meiji Jingu Gaien

Meiji Jingu Gaien, celebrated for its iconic Ginkgo Avenue, emerges as an irresistible magnet for those who revel in the splendor of autumn leaves.

Adorned with around 150 towering ginkgo trees, this avenue undergoes a magical transformation into a golden tunnel as fall descends, delighting photographers. The golden trees strikingly contrast with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, marrying natural beauty with human artistry. A stroll down this golden avenue is the perfect way to immerse in the autumn atmosphere.

Moreover, Meiji Jingu Gaien pulsates with vibrant energy each November during the Ginkgo Festival. The avenue transforms into a bustling market, overflowing with stalls offering a smorgasbord of local culinary delights.

Immerse Yourself in Golden Leaves

Imperial East Garden

Imperial East Garden boasts a unique autumn experience where nature and history blend. Its fall foliage, historic structures, and rich cultural events create a sensory banquet.

The Ninomaru Grove, home to dense trees, is particularly a hotspot in fall. Speckled with sawtooth oak, wax trees, and ginkgos, draws a giant autumn canvas, set beautifully against the stark white Edo Castle ruins. Panoramic views of this striking scene can be captured from winding paths to spacious lawns.

Imperial East Garden also comes alive with the soulful melodies of traditional music concerts and the creativity of art exhibitions, both enriched by the backdrop of autumn leaves.

Ueno Park

Connecting the autumn leaves with its historical roots, Ueno Park transports you to the Edo period with its world-class museums.

Meander along the main pathway and feast your eyes on the fall hues with leaves crunching underfoot. The Shinobazu Pond, with its rustic-toned lotus, perfectly complements the surrounding fall foliage. You can also combine leaf-viewing with a cultural excursion to the esteemed Tokyo National Museum or the Ueno Royal Museum with ancient artifacts and timeless art pieces.

The allure of Ueno Park extends beyond its fall foliage. It hosts open-air music performances, weaving an unforgettable autumn memory.

Rikugien Garden

Rikugien Garden further accentuates the autumnal hues with its strategic lighting during the evening, creating a surreal experience.

The heart of the park is dominated by a vast pond, its surface reflecting the splendor of the surrounding maples and ginkgos. You can wander along the scenic paths, soaking in the vistas of autumn leaves reflected in the pond. The most exquisite views await at Fujishirotoge Hill and the Togetsukyo Bridge.

As night falls, the trees bathed in illuminations create a magical ambiance, in which you can taste authentic Japanese tea at the Fukiage Chaya.

Fall Foliage in Japan

Mount Takao

Mount Takao provides a refreshing escape from the urban frenzy. In fall, its natural charm is amplified by lively hues of sawtooth oak, Japanese zelkova, and maple leaves.

Embark on an invigorating hike along the demarcated trails, ascend in the comfort of a cable car, or experience the thrill of a chair lift ride to the mountain peak. From this lofty vantage point, you're treated to a sweeping panorama of the foliage below. As the sun sets, a golden glow over the sea of fall foliage will leave you in awe.

The mountain also houses the Yakuoin Temple, where you can learn about mountain asceticism, and hosts the annual Takao-san Autumn Leaves Festival in November, with traditional drum and dance performances.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park, famous for its laid-back vibe, offers sprawling grounds with myriad hues in autumn for picnicking, cycling, and simply strolling.

The ponds and wide walking paths are cocooned by a multitude of trees, their leaves metamorphosing into a riotous explosion of autumnal hues. Expansive lawns and picnic spots offer idyllic settings to bask in the fall spectacle. Further enhancing the park's allure are its whimsical fountains and a dedicated cycling course, offering a diverse range of recreational pursuits.

Beyond, Yoyogi Park throbs with an infectious vitality, serving as a dynamic stage for an eclectic array of street performances and flea markets that enliven its grounds.

Autumn Leaves

Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen, with its iconic arched bridges and teahouses, provides a poetic spot for admiring fall leaves.

Meandering trails, intricately carved stone bridges, and serene, lily-dotted ponds offer a myriad of vantage points to marvel at the fall leaves. The Full Moon Bridge, a charming attraction in itself, offers an unparalleled perspective, reflecting the fall colors on its glassy surface.

You can also immerse in the traditional tea ceremonies, held in the antiquated Biidoro Tea House while relishing the crisp essence of autumn.

Where to See Fall Foliage Near Tokyo

Mt. Fuji

Mount Fuji, with its majestic, snow-capped peak, forms an awe-inspiring backdrop for the fiery fall foliage. This blend of icy white and autumn colors showcases the natural grandeur.

Take a picturesque drive around Lake Kawaguchi, delving into sweeping vistas of the autumn-kissed landscape and the imposing Mount Fuji; venture into the dense Aokigahara Forest nestled at the mountain's base; or head to the Arakurayama Sengen Park with the perfect perspective for viewing Mount Fuji.

Besides, you can visit the Fujisan World Heritage Center to learn about the mountain's history and ecology, and try local food at the many restaurants around, boasting the forest and mountain view.

Mount Fuji

Hakone

Hakone, a mountainous town, becomes a fascinating kaleidoscope and provides enriching cultural experiences in autumn. After a day of exploring, soaking in its hot springs provides ultimate relaxation.

Hakone is resplendent with a rich variety of trees with blazing fall colors. Its panorama can be caught by embarking on a picturesque tour aboard the Hakone Tozan Railway, which winds along the rugged mountainous terrain, or by soaring high on the Hakone Ropeway, which offers an unparalleled bird's eye perspective.

Apart from that, you can feast on seasonal culinary delights like matsutake mushroom rice and chestnuts or visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where art pieces and autumn hues coexist.

Nikko

Nikko houses a medley of oaks, beech trees, and maples, with its autumn beauty enhanced by the backdrop of majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and wide lakes.

You can hike the numerous trails, each hiding a new facet of the fall colors, or set sail on a scenic boat ride across the serene Lake Chuzenji, with an impressive fiery mirror image. For those seeking a more sweeping view, ascend the Akechidaira Ropeway to absorb the full taste of Nikko's autumn.

Beyond leaf-peeping, Nikko also invites you to immerse in the historic Toshogu Shrine and participate in the Kawaji Onsen Autumn Leaves Festival.

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Capture Tokyo's Fall Colors With Odynovo

Let the fall foliage guide you through Tokyo, a living work of art. Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.