Where to See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms aren’t the only seasonal scene stealers in Japan; autumn foliage gets a lot of love, too! Autumn leaves are such a beloved sight that there’s even a local term specifically for the pastime of going out to admire them: momiji-gari, or “maple leaf hunting”.

With the days getting cooler, momiji-gari season is upon us. If you’ll be in Tokyo during this time, get excited. Urban as Tokyo may be, you don’t need to venture far to see autumn’s dazzling colors. Tokyo proper also has its share of absolutely stunning places to visit in autumn, including parks, gardens, and more. Spend a day in late November or early December viewing colorful autumn leaves at these 13 scenic Tokyo destinations.

Located in the same neighborhood as Tokyo Dome is a little slice of paradise called Koishikawa Korakuen, a sprawling Japanese garden with a touch of Chinese-inspired aesthetics. Built in the 17th century, this is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most beautiful landscape gardens.

Thanks to the many maple and zelkova trees here, autumn is one of the best times to visit, as the park is bursting in red, orange, and yellow hues. The sight of the bright colors reflecting off the surface of the garden’s ponds is nothing short of magical.

Shinjuku Gyoen isn’t just a prime choice for cherry blossom viewing; it’s lovely in autumn, too. It consists of a Japanese-style garden, an English-style landscape garden, and a French-style formal garden — each of which offers its own unique autumn scenery.

Catch vividly colored leaves at Maple Hill (Momijiyama), bursts of yellow at the landscape garden where zelkova and ginkgo trees are aplenty, and autumn roses at the formal garden.

Another of Tokyo’s top Japanese-style gardens is Rikugien in Bunkyo Ward’s Komagome district. Inspired by ancient Chinese and Japanese poetry, this garden dates all the way back to the Edo period (1603–1867) and is home to hundreds of maple trees, as well as a variety of other trees that change colors in autumn: zelkova, ginkgo, wax trees, and more.

For the best autumn views, head to Tsutsuji-no-chaya, one of Rikugien’s three tea houses. Tsutsuji-no-chaya is strategically surrounded by maple leaves, making it the perfect vantage point for admiring autumn colors.

While you’re at it, stay until nighttime. On autumn nights, the garden is lit up from sundown until around 8:30 p.m. Rikugien’s autumn illuminations not only enhance the leaves’ colors, but they also give the scenery an added ethereal quality.

Red and orange aren’t the only autumn colors worth admiring; brilliant yellow leaves are just as stunning to behold!

One of Tokyo’s most iconic autumn sights is a 300-meter-long tunnel of yellow from Gaiemmae to Aoyama-itchome Station. This avenue is named Icho Namiki after the nearly 150 icho (ginkgo) trees that line it, and it extends from Gaien Park — Meiji Jingu Shrine’s outer park — to the swanky but low-key Aoyama business district. 

Take a leisurely walk down this row of trees, or quietly observe them from a nearby cafe. And, once the leaves start falling, the ground carpeted in yellow also makes for great photos.

Located near Meiji Jingu Shrine and Harajuku is Yoyogi Park, an oasis in the heart of the city. This lively urban park is great for people watching and picnics, but it’s large enough to contain some pockets of quietude for those who prefer to enjoy nature in silence.

Surrounding the park’s central fountain are rows of maple trees, so this part of the park mainly turns red and orange in autumn. But venture a bit farther to the south side, and you’ll find that the scenery is predominantly crisp gold and yellow, thanks to the park’s zelkova and ginkgo trees.

Lake Okutama is located on the border of Tokyo and Yamanashi, about two to three hours away from central Tokyo. Take a walk around the lake or even take a photo from the floating bridge. Besides Lake Okutama, nearby attractions include the Nippara Limestone Caves and refreshing hot spring baths.

Amid the skyscrapers of central Tokyo’s Shiodome district is Hama-rikyu, an Edo-period Japanese garden with a unique seawater pond, the water level of which rises and falls with the tide — the only one of its kind in Tokyo.

In autumn, the Hama-rikyu Gardens transform into a tranquil escape from the concrete jungle, with maple leaves blushing crimson and orange. Compact as this park may be, its size makes it perfect for some quick leaf viewing in the city. There’s also a tea house that appears to float on the water as you gaze at the autumn foliage around you!

Akigawa Valley is located one or two hours away from central Tokyo in Akiruno City. The valley is about 20 kilometers long, and a popular viewing spot is from the Ishibune Bridge, where you can look out at the flushed leaves along the river. Nearby, there’s a hot spring facility, Akigawa Keikoku Seotonoyu Spa, where you can relax in the cleansing waters while appreciating the scenic views.

In Tokyo’s west suburbs between the neighborhoods of Kichijoji and Mitaka is Inokashira Park, a favorite among families with small children thanks to its child-friendly facilities including a petting zoo and swan boats.

The park’s colorful foliage attracts numerous visitors — locals and travelers alike — hoping to unwind as they take in the season’s changing colors.

For a different way to view the leaves, hop aboard one of the park’s iconic swan boats and paddle your way around Inokashira Pond. If you’ve got a significant other, though, take caution; local superstition has it that the god Benzaiten, who inhabits the pond, curses couples taking the swan boats to break up. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)

A bit farther out than other options on this list is Showa Memorial Park (or Showa Kinen Koen) in Tachikawa, out in the west of Tokyo. Though Tachikawa isn’t exactly a place that most tourists visit, it’s worth your time if you’d like to find some autumn scenery away from the crowds, because this park is one of Tokyo’s largest.

Showa Memorial Park’s main draw in autumn is its rows and rows of ginkgo trees, with some ginkgo-covered walkways ranging up to 300 meters long. These mesmerizing tunnels of gold make for photogenic strolls down them, and you can have fun playing with and rolling in the fallen leaves, too.

But ginkgo trees aren’t all that this park has to offer; maple trees and scenic cycling trails abound, too. The maple trees are illuminated at night, so why not linger for a bit after sunset?

It might come as a surprise to some to know that Tokyo offers rural scenery, too. But yes, Tokyo isn’t all ultra-modern urban districts!

Just about an hour from Shinjuku on the rapid train is the nearly 600-meter-tall Mount Takao, located in Hachioji City. It’s a go-to spot for Tokyoites seeking a quick nature-filled recharge over the weekend. With beginner-friendly hiking trails and cable cars to take visitors up the mountain, even inexperienced hikers (or those who’d rather not hike at all) will be able to freely traverse Mount Takao.

Take a relaxing ride up the mountain via the Takao Tozan cable car and look out the window to spot the mountain’s gorgeous autumn colors. Or, hike your way up to the summit to observe nature’s beauty all around you throughout your journey.

For rustic natural beauty without intense hiking, head to Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line, about 90 minutes from Shinjuku. Here, you’ll find Mitake Gorge — a valley at the foot of Mount Mitake.

The gorge transforms into a natural canvas filled with red, orange, and yellow hues during autumn, and a walk down well-paved riverbank trails will invigorate your senses. Forget the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo as you take in the fresh air, the vibrant colors around you, and the relaxing sound of the flowing river. Don’t forget to preserve the memory by taking postcard-worthy photos of the view!

Todoroki Valley is located near Todoroki Station on the Oimachi Line, about a 20-minute train ride from Shibuya. There’s a walking trail along a small river that’s about one kilometer long, as well as a Japanese Garden and temple. During the summer, it’s a popular spot for locals to escape the summer heat, and in fall, the maple trees and zelkova combine to turn the valley into a colorful escape from the busy streets of Tokyo.

(As of October 2023, parts of the valley are temporarily closed off for safety examinations.)