Where to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo

Located to the west of Tokyo, the area surrounding Mitake Gorge is a particularly popular destination with hikers between mid-October and late-November. Get off at Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line and stick to the walking trails along the river banks. Postcard views of vivid red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo trees await, and for the perfect shot, make sure you have in your frame the majestic bridge that presides over the crystal clear Tama River. Do visit the nearby Gyokudo Art Museum for classic Japanese paintings before making the trip back to town.

This Setagaya park served as a secondary venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and is home to a distinctive Kenzo Tange-designed tower that looks more like a Jenga set. The facilities are still used for sporting competitions today, as well as less physically challenging events such as flea markets. Come autumn, the park's avenue of zelkova trees is as picturesque as the one in Meiji Jingu Gaien, but much less crowded, giving you plenty of space to capture that perfect Instagram shot.

This ginkgo tree-lined avenue stretches from the central exit of Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace's Wadakura gate. It’s most picturesque during autumn, when the mustard-yellow trees set a beautiful contrast against the blue sky and the area’s towering high-rise buildings. 

Inokashira Park in Kichijoji is a year-round hit with families, thanks to an abundance of playground facilities and the small zoo on-site – kids will love the guineapigs at the petting area. In autumn, however, the star attraction is the colourful foliage, best admired from aboard one of the swan-shaped pedal boats on the lake. You’ll find the best views between the end of November and early-December.

Shinjuku, with its bustling station and popular nightlife district Kabukicho, is also home to one of the most beautiful parks in the city. Scenic all year round, the sprawling Shinjuku Gyoen features three distinct gardens, including a landscape garden and a traditional Japanese garden complete with a quaint little tea house serving matcha and wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery). Autumn colours are found throughout the park, but make a beeline for the Maple Hill for the best photo op.

Note: drinking alcohol as well as playing sports and musical instruments are prohibited in the garden.

Established in 1903 as Tokyo’s first Western-style park, Hibiya Park is one of the best spots in the city centre to admire koyo (autumn foliage). Blazing red maple trees and mustard-yellow ginkgo leaves can be found around the Kumogata-ike pond, which features a beautiful fountain inspired by the crane, the Japanese symbol for good luck. The reflection of the colourful leaves on the water set against a backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers is the perfect combination for some postcard-perfect photo ops. Next to the on-site restaurant Hibiya Matsumotoro, you’ll even find a 20m tall ginkgo tree that’s almost 500 years old.

Easily accessible from Shinjuku Station, Mt Takao is a popular weekend getaway for stressed-out Tokyoites looking to recharge their batteries surrounded by nature. From mid-November to early-December, the nearly 600m-tall elevation attracts hordes of cheerful hikers looking to admire the warm yellow and blazing red hues of the forest. The autumn foliage is best viewed from the cable car, which brings you up to the first observation deck, from where you’ll also be treated to a breathtaking panorama of the city. You can pick up souvenirs and snacks here, too.