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.
Every year from October to December, hordes of Tokyoites make the exodus out of town to classic autumn-leaf destinations like Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone and even Kyoto.
However, if you prefer not to travel, there are still plenty of gardens and parks right here in the city to catch the brilliant autumn colours from mid-to-late November. Here are our top picks of historic retreats, lush parks and lesser-known viewing locations, all in or close to Tokyo. For the particularly energetic folks, we recommend these scenic bike routes and hikes.
BEFORE YOU GO: The 2022 autumn leaves forecast for Tokyo and Japan