Best spots for Ginkgo Viewing in Tokyo

As autumn paints Tokyo in vibrant hues, the ginkgo trees stand out with their brilliant golden foliage. These ancient trees, known as icho in Japanese, have been cultivated in Japan for centuries and are now an integral part of Tokyo’s urban landscape. Their distinctive fan-shaped leaves turn a dazzling yellow in fall, creating stunning golden canopies throughout the city.

Ginkgo trees are prized for their beauty and resilience. They thrive in urban environments, making them a popular choice for the streets in Tokyo. Every autumn, an abundance of ginkgo trees transforms the bustling metropolis into a golden wonderland, offering both locals and tourists a spectacular show amidst the world’s largest concrete jungle. Tokyo offers numerous locations to enjoy golden ginkgo leaves, each with its unique neighborhood charm.

The iconic ginkgo avenue in Meiji Jingu Gaien is perhaps Tokyo’s most famous spot for autumn colors. This 300-meter stretch, lined with around 146 ginkgo trees, creates a magnificent golden tunnel in late November. The contrast of yellow leaves against the blue sky is truly breathtaking.

Located in Tachikawa, Showa Kinen Park is an expansive park featuring a stunning ginkgo tree promenade. The long avenue of ginkgo trees turns golden in autumn, offering picturesque views and photo opportunities. The park has a small entrance fee, but it is well worth it as it also provides vast space for picnics, swan boat rides, bike trails, and various eateries.

This park in Nerima Ward is a popular spring-time destination, home to over 1,000 cherry trees. In autumn, however, Hikarigaoka Park transforms into a sea of gold, with its 40 large ginkgo trees carpeting the ground in extravagant hues of gold. It’s an excellent spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic surrounded by autumn colors. 

The historic Hongo campus of The University of Tokyo is home to numerous ginkgo trees, with its gingko avenue dating back to 1906, making it one of the older ginkgo avenues in all of Tokyo. The combination of bright yellow leaves and classical architecture makes for a sight to behold.

One of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks, Yoyogi Park, is home to a significant number of ginkgo trees. In autumn, the park’s ginkgo trees offer a stunning contrast to the park’s evergreen areas. The fallen ginkgo leaves create a golden carpet, the perfect ground-canopy for picnics and photography. The park’s vast open spaces and relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal spot for enjoying the autumn colors at a leisurely pace.

The best time to see ginkgo trees in their full glory in Tokyo is typically from mid-November to early December. However, the exact timing can vary depending on the weather conditions each year:

·       Early to Mid-November: Leaves begin to change color
·       Mid to Late November: Peak viewing period for most locations
·       Late November to Early December: Leaves start to fall, creating golden carpets

For those looking to immerse themselves in Tokyo’s autumn beauty fully, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel offers a perfect blend of luxury and convenient access to some of the city’s best ginkgo viewing spots.

Located in the heart of Shibuya, this hotel provides stunning panoramic views of Tokyo’s skyline, which takes on a golden hue during the ginkgo season. The hotel’s higher floors offer particularly impressive vistas, which can be enjoyed privately via your suite or publicly in one of the hotel’s multiple and outstanding fine dining establishments.

What makes the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel ideal for ginkgo enthusiasts is its proximity to key viewing locations. It’s just a short 12-minute drive from the famous ginkgo-lined avenue in Meiji Jingu Gaien, and a short train ride or walk from Yoyogi Park.