12 best things to do in Tokyo this autumn

This one's a no-brainer. One of the best things about autumn in the city is the landscapes boasting vibrant autumn foliage. Different places feature a variety of different trees, which means they all have a unique set of colours. Shades range from the golden-hue of ginkgo trees to the intense red of Japanese maple (momiji). For daytime viewing, check out this list of our favourite autumn foliage spots in and around the city. Alternatively, you can make the most of the cool sunny days by laying a picnic mat at Tokyo’s best parks.

One of the greatest luxuries Japan has to offer is its abundance of hot spring baths. Both public bathhouses and high-end ryokans are popular weekend destinations at any given time of year, but there are few things better than soaking in a rotenburo (open-air bath) as you admire surrounding natural scenery during the cooler seasons. Natural onsen in areas like Beppu are touted for their health benefits such as alleviating body aches, but there are also plenty of hot springs in the city that can improve your well-being by promoting blood circulation and easing sore muscles.

Autumn is the best time of year to go hiking with its hospitable climate and richly coloured mountain foliage. So exercise your lungs and go for a rewarding hike at some of Tokyo’s greenest forests and nature attractions. Trails vary in difficulty so there are options for both avid mountaineers keen for adventure as well as those who like to keep things short and sweet.

Thick chewy udon noodles make the ultimate comfort food – it’s the perfect meal to warm your belly on a chilly night. We can’t get enough of al dente wheat noodles at Yamacho. Its subtle spice and meaty richness is just the thing to keep you warm and it’s surprisingly addictive. Lunch sets here go for roughly ¥1,000 and include freshly steamed bowls of rice cooked with seasonal produce.

We also love the udon at Shin, particularly the crowd-pleasing tempura udon as well as the inventive carbonara-inspired udon complete with a piece of bacon tempura.

Chestnuts are as quintessential to autumn in Japan as the brightly coloured foliage that adorns the country’s landscapes. There are plenty of chestnut sweets that pop up during this time of year but few are as classic as the Mont Blanc, which has long dominated the display cases of Japanese cake shops. Vie for a spot at Mont Blanc Style, where whipped cream and fresh chestnut puree is diligently layered in front of you. Or, stop by an acclaimed patisserie and take the dessert home for later.

Glamping, aka ‘glamorous camping’, is the perfect way to enjoy Japan’s nature hassle-free. If an afternoon of walking through vibrant autumn foliage isn’t quite enough, why not spend a weekend in a tent surrounded by the leaves at their peak? At these luxurious glamping sites, you won’t have to know how to fend for yourself in the wilderness. With proper beds and catered barbecues, you can get the most out of being in nature without compromising your creature comforts.