Where to Find Autumn Leaves in Tokyo : Maple & Ginkgo

From about mid November to first week of December, the autumn reds, oranges, and yellows color the city of Tokyo. There are many places you can find autumn foliage, and this isn't the first time I've introduced locations. After moving permanently to Tokyo this year, we finished quarantine just in time for the autumn leaves to start, and I researched a lot of new places I've never been before to visit.

How I found these locations: I searched for autumn foliage forecasts in Japanese and browse through all of the spots in and around Tokyo. Here are two example websites that give really good real-time updates on how the leaves are looking (from still green, time to see, to leaves falling etc): site 1, site 2. After I pick a few places I'd like to go, I'll evaluate the distance from me on google maps. I'll then also go onto Instagram to see example photos and geo-tagged locations of exactly where to spot the autumn leaves.

A lot of these places within Tokyo are very popular, so we usually arrive just before opening to avoid the crowds. I know it's not possible for everyone, however if you are able to, I would suggest to do weekday visits to the super popular locations such as Showa Kinen Park or Mt. Takao.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 新宿御苑

• Stroller friendly: yes
• What to see: Maple and Ginkgo
• Tips: bring a blanket and picnic basket, grab a garden map guide at the entrance

This is a perfect place for couples or families to do a weekend picnic at. The garden features a wide variety of flora and is a huge 144 acres. If you are looking for ginkgo and maple, after entering from the Shinjuku Gate, go straight for the east side of the garden and then work your way south. The last photo below shows the spots I took photos of circled in red.

Jingu Gaien 神宮外苑

From late November to early December (2024 dates: 11/23 ～ 12/01), not only can you see an avenue of golden ginkgo trees, you can also see it lit up at night. It's one of the most popular autumn spots in Tokyo, so it can be crowded. I highly recommend to go there for an early morning walk since it's open 24hrs.

Koishikawa Korakuen 小石川後楽園

This is one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens in Tokyo. It's full of traditional elements like tea houses, a red wooden bridge, and Japanese pine trees. You'll find Japanese maple reflecting over the pond.

Mejiro Gardens 豊島区立目白庭園

• Location: Mejiro Station (JR Yamanote Line, close to Ikebukuro)
• Hours: 9am – 5pm, night time light up 17:30 - 21:00 (only Nov 21 ~ 29)
• Entry: FREE for day time, night time light up ¥300 for adults

The light up period is very short and each year will have a different schedule so do search it on google before going. When you get to the Garden, if it's near night time opening at 17:30, approach the staff at the front who is handing out number tickets, this is just the order in which you are allowed in. They will let people in 10 at a time.

The garden is mostly rock or stone steps and stairs so a stroller is definitely a no-go. Park it outside the entrance on the street to the left where there's space for bikes. Use a carrier if bringing a small child who cannot walk well yet. I actually wore my son in a carrier even though he can walk, I didn't want to risk him slipping and falling into the pond in the middle.

The garden just a short circular walkway surrounding a small pond, so it doesn't take long to go all the way around, but the light up is incredible and surreal.

Showa Kinen Park 昭和記念公園

• Location: JR Nishi Tachikawa Station
• Hours: 9:30am ~ 16:30 for day visits, 16:30 ~ 21:00 for night light up (Oct 30 ~ Nov 30 https://www.showakinen-koen.jp/autumn-night-walk/ )
• Entry: ¥450 for adults, FREE for kids, Japanese garden entry ¥1,000
• What to see: Ginkgo, Maple, traditional Japanese garden

This is one of the most popular places to see Ginkgo trees in Tokyo area, so you'll find it pretty packed if you go there even 1hr past opening time. A lot of Japanese family will spend the whole day here with picnic gear, flying kites, and even doing BBQ (there is a BBQ pit area in the park).

To get to the famous picturesque line up of Ginkgo trees, use the Nishi Tachikawa entrance and heads towards the left to find it. There's also a Japanese garden which has a night time light up, but you do need to pay extra to get in (¥1,000)

Gotokuji

This is the original lucky cat temple. It's especially pretty in autumn when the temple grounds are covered in bright red and orange Japanese maple. You can get different sizes of lucky cats to bring home as souvenir or write a wish and leave it at the temple.

Station: Miyanosaka or Gotokuji Station

Hours: 8am – 4:30pm 

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

In west Tokyo, you'll find an absolute hidden gem of a collection of 20+ original historical buildings dating back to 1700s. It's heaven for architecture lovers and history lovers. Since it's an outdoor museum, there are lots of trees, and plenty of them are flaming red in autumn. You can easily spend a whole day there as there are restaurants and cafes inside, too.