14 best parks, gardens and streets to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo

Despite being right next to the amusement park of Tokyo Dome City, Koishikawa Korakuen feels so peaceful you almost forget you’re in the middle of a metropolis. First built in 1629, the garden is now only a quarter of its original size but still beautiful, with a range of walks, bridges, hills and vistas perfect for strolling and soaking in the autumn colours. During autumn, the maples and ginkgo trees transform the garden into a vibrant landscape, making it a serene spot for foliage viewing.

If you're around during the evening, don't miss the garden's incredible autumn illuminations running from October 10 to 20. 

The University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus, just a short walk from Ueno Park, is a surprisingly serene spot for autumn leaves in the city. Stroll along tree-lined paths where ginkgo and maple trees blaze golden and red, and take in historic campus buildings framed by vibrant seasonal colours. While you’re there, you might as well pop over to Ueno Park to enjoy even more koyo in a classic city-garden setting.

This tranquil garden, once a hunting ground for the Tokugawa shogunate, sits tucked in the shadow of Shiodome’s modern skyline. Its main draw is the unique mix of water and open space, giving the garden a surprisingly expansive feel thanks to clever landscaping. The best area for autumn foliage is the garden’s expansive pond, featuring two islands (one with a teahouse) linked by wooden bridges. Add to that a photogenic 300-year-old pine tree, accented by brilliant red momiji maples, creating a serene backdrop for your koyo photos.

Shinjuku, with its bustling station and popular nightlife district Kabukicho, is also home to one of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo. 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.

Enjoy 146 perfectly shaped, golden yellow ginkgo trees that form a 300m-long boulevard between Gaienmae and Aoyama-Itchome stations. This is Tokyo’s quintessential – hence also one of the most visited – autumn scenery, which has graced countless Instagram accounts.

Every year, the avenue also glows with a magical evening illumination. Dates for this year’s lights haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep you updated so you won’t miss it.

Showa Kinen Park is the most beautiful in autumn, with the maple and ginkgo trees blushing in fiery red and yellow respectively. The ginkgo trees are the first to turn and you can see two boulevards of the golden yellow trees as soon as you enter the park’s Tachikawa gate. These trees are expected to turn full yellow in mid-November. The momiji and kaede trees, however, present their signature vermillion hues a bit later towards the end of November.

During this season, the park stays open after dark, with special light-ups taking place at the Gingko Tree Avenue (near the futsal and basketball courts) and the traditional Japanese Garden from 4.30pm until 8.30pm.

Rikugien is one of the best gardens in Tokyo to immerse yourself in beautiful Japanese landscapes. There’s no bad time to see the garden, but we do admit it’s especially picturesque in autumn, when the leaves take on vibrant shades of red and yellow.

From November 28 to December 9, Rikugien stays open until 8.30pm for its annual light-up. The trees in the garden are bathed in golden lights so that the brilliant colours of the changing leaves stand out even more, providing stunning views.

Aside from admiring the autumn foliage, don’t forget to drop by the garden’s dozo (storehouse). Its earthen walls serve as the canvas for a beautiful daily projection show between 6pm and 8.30pm. 

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. 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.

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 guinea pigs 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.

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 demanding events such as flea markets and food festivals. 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. 

This is one of the most popular spots in the whole of Tokyo for autumn leaves. Stretching for 4km from Hachioji's Oiwakecho to the foot of Mt Takao (near north exit of Takao Station), this road is flanked by over 700 ginkgo trees (known as icho in Japanese), and they look stunningly yellow around this time of year.

The autumn colours provide the perfect backdrop for a range of activities at the annual Hachioji Ginkgo Festival on November 15 and 16. There will be a classic car parade on November 16 from 12noon to 1pm, as well as yosakoi dance and wadaiko drum performances, a stamp rally and more. The abundance of kid-friendly attractions makes it a good option if you're looking for something to do with the family, and naturally there will be plenty of food stalls to keep everybody well sated.

The festival starts at 9am and ends at 4.30pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

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.

Make the most of your trip: Mt Takao's annual autumn Momiji Festival is happening again this year

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.

Make the most of your trip: discover the best things to do in Okutama, where Mitake Gorge is