Top 10 Tokyo Autumn Leaf Spots Chosen by Japanese Locals

When Can You See Fall Colors in Japan?

As the hot summer days gradually yield to cooler temperatures from September onward, the trees in Japan begin to don a mesmerizing array of vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. For Tokyo and other parts of the Kanto region, the optimal viewing period for fall foliage is said to be from late October to early December.

However, 2025 is predicted to be later than usual. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation forecast released on November 4, 2025, Tokyo is expected to see its peak foliage period for red leaves (typically maple) around December 2, with golden ginkgo leaves coming in a little earlier around November 27.

Check our fall foliage forecast for more information. We update it every year!

About Tokyo - The Most Popular Gateway to Japan

As one of the world's most dynamic cities, Tokyo attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, all keen to experience how it straddles tradition and innovation seamlessly. Centuries-old temples and serene parks are nestled alongside upscale shopping malls and futuristic skyscrapers, letting you immerse yourself in fall foliage in a completely different way.

Being a part of the Kanto region, Tokyo serves as an excellent launching point to explore the surrounding six prefectures: Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Why not soak in the atmospheric autumn vibes of Tokyo before exploring what fall looks like in the other Kanto prefectures?

Best 10 Tokyo Autumn Leaf Spots

Tokyo might be a big modern city, but there's plenty of spots to admire the fall foliage. Here are the top 10 Tokyo autumn leaf spots in 2025 according to data collected by Walkerplus and KoyoCh, two websites frequently used by the locals for travel and event information. (Please note that the two websites have different rankings, so what is written here will not 100% match either of them. We aggregate the data to give a general summary of the results.)

We hope that you'll use this article as a general guide for planning which places you ought to visit for autumn foliage views in Tokyo!

10. Otaguro Park

Otaguro Park is a Japanese-style garden that once housed the residence of Moto’o Otaguro, a renowned Japanese music critic who introduced the likes of Debussy and Stravinsky to Japan. Today, it stands as a quiet retreat free for everyone to enter. Visitors can wander around the central pond filled with colorful koi carp, admire his workspace (a rare Western-style structure that contains his favorite piano and phonograph), or even take part in tea ceremonies, ikebana, or "shodo" calligraphy in the traditional tea room (reservations required).

Otaguro Park is at its busiest in late autumn, when many people flock to enjoy its vibrant fall foliage. There's foliage no matter where you look, as the park has many kinds of trees - zelkova, red pine, and so on - including ginkgo, many of which are over a century old. The reflections of crimson and gold leaves on the pond are particularly breathtaking. Visit during the park's annual illumination event to see this beauty in an entirely new light.

9. Hibiya Park

Located just outside the walls of the Imperial Palace, Hibiya Park is arguably Japan’s oldest Western-style park, opened in 1903. Spanning 16.2 hectares - about four times the size of the Tokyo Dome - it’s a lush green oasis in the middle of one of Tokyo’s business districts. The park’s symbol is its large fountain in the south, near the main entrance, which is especially enchanting when lit up at night. However, the spotlight shifts over to the Crane Fountain at Kumogata-ike Pond in the autumn. Surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring and golden ginkgo leaves in autumn, it's a beloved spot for photographers and nature lovers alike.

With frequent weekend events and a relaxed atmosphere, Hibiya Park offers a refreshing blend of greenery, culture, and history right in the heart of the city.

8. Rikugien Gardens

There’s a special allure in exploring a destination at night as the buzz of the daytime gives way to a serene calm. If this resonates with you, make your way to Rikugien Gardens in the fall. It is one of the few spots in Tokyo where you can view autumn foliage at night, with special photo spots set up for those wanting to take photos that will last a lifetime.

The most popular spot for fall foliage photos in the Rikugien Gardens is the lake at the center. The radiant gold and red hues of the trees are reflected on its still waters, creating a surreal sight that draws in crowds every year. The old Tsutuji-no-Chaya teahouse, situated a bit away from the lake, offers a different yet equally ethereal view that we recommend you check out if you’d like to avoid the throngs of people.

7. Mount Mitake

Rising 929 meters above sea level, Mount Mitake is a scenic and spiritual retreat just outside Tokyo that is known for its lush hiking trails and deep mountain faith. Visitors can take a cable car partway to the summit where charming thatched-roof lodgings, souvenir shops, and panoramic views await.

During autumn, Mount Mitake welcomes the arrival of the Tenku Momiji Festival, when various paths and sites such as the 2,000-year-old Musashi Mitake Shrine are illuminated at night, creating a magical fall scene. This is complemented by a series of performances, such as kagura dance. Of course, the fall views are stunning in the daytime, too. For the best sights, take the cable car or head over to the Nagaodaira Observatory which provides an unbeatable viewpoint of the mountain's autumnal beauty from above.

6. Yoyogi Park

Passionate about sports and exercise? Or visiting with your canine companion and looking for a place to unwind? Yoyogi Park comes fully equipped with a cycling course, basketball court, soccer field, lawn area, and more. Grab your travel buddy and explore this park at your own pace.

One of the most photogenic fall scenes in the park is the Ginkgo Tree Avenue near the Rose Garden. It’s not covered by the cycling route, but if you’re looking for classic Tokyo fall scenery, this is a must-visit. Let yourself be enveloped in the rejuvenating tranquility provided by hundreds of zelkova, ginkgo, and maple trees as you traverse the park.

5. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Once an imperial garden, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is now one of Tokyo’s most beloved green spaces, spanning 144 acres in the heart of the city. The park blends Western-style and Japanese-style garden landscapes, offering beautiful scenery year-round - from vibrant cherry blossoms in spring to stunning autumn foliage. It also has a large Western-style greenhouse showcasing rare plants from around the world.

Autumn brings a special charm to Shinjuku Gyoen, especially around the Japanese garden and Momijiyama area on the park’s eastern side, where maple trees burst into color. There are many kinds of trees in the park, so you can see a wide variety of foliage at their autumnal best. During the first two weeks of November, the Chrysanthemum Exhibition adds another layer of seasonal beauty.

*Secure your ticket to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden online through Klook in your native language: Shinjuku Gyoen Ticket in Tokyo

4. Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

Just a short walk from Aoyama-itchome Station, Meiji Jingu Gaien’s Ginkgo Avenue spans an impressive 300 meters, flanked by 146 tall ginkgo trees spaced exactly 9 meters from each other. This was intentionally designed by Yoshinobu Orishimo, a master in early modern landscape architecture, to create a visual symmetry that truly pleases the eyes. This golden canopy is perhaps Tokyo’s most popular fall spot, with thousands visiting each year to capture the autumnal view.

For the best view, approach from Aoyama Avenue and head towards the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. Seeing the stately white structure of the museum at the end of the ginkgo tunnel will make anyone’s jaw drop. As for when to visit, we suggest mid-November to early December, as that’s usually when the Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival is held, though we currently don't have any information on if it will be held in 2025. Shop for souvenirs and eat all kinds of yummy food!

3. Mount Takao

Sometimes, you just want to escape the concrete jungle and seek solace in the midst of abundant nature. This may be a bit hard to believe, but Tokyo provides a convenient option for you to do just that. Simply hop on a train at Shinjuku Station and alight about 50 minutes later at Takaosanguchi Station. Here, you will be greeted by the majestic sight of Mount Takao in its full fall glory.

We highly recommend that you take the cable car from Kiyotaki Station at the base of Mount Takao to Takaosan Station at its summit so that you can fully absorb the gorgeous autumn landscape. November is also the month when the annual Mount Takao Autumn Leaves Festival is held. During the festival, you can witness a variety of performances against the fall backdrop.

*Save money and time by purchasing this online pass that'll cover your train trip from Keio Shinjuku Station and Mount Takao cable car seat: Keio 1-Day Ticket with Mt. Takao Cable Car and Chair Lift Ticket

2. Lake Okutama

Situated in a national park just two hours west of Tokyo’s city center, Lake Okutama is surrounded on all sides by mountains, so you’re guaranteed stunning autumnal views. There are multiple hiking trails that pass through the lake, but we recommend starting with the Miharashi no Oka course which takes just 1-2 hours. There are many opportunities to admire the red and gold foliage carpeting the surrounding mountains, with one of the most popular being the Happoiwa Observatory a relatively short distance away from the entrance to the lake.

Just remember to plan your visit to Lake Okutama during early to mid-November. Even though Okutama is still considered a part of Tokyo, the leaves change color faster here than in central Tokyo!

1. Showa Kinen Park (Showa Memorial Park)

Just a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park covers around 180 hectares of land and is so huge that you will need to spend one whole day exploring its every nook and cranny. It was constructed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa’s reign with the goal of revitalizing the greenery of the land and bringing a touch of nature to everyday life. As such, the park is full of spots where you can get close to nature, as well as facilities where you can dive deeper into Japanese culture and traditions.

For autumn scenery, the top two spots are the Katarai Ginkgo Tree Avenue, which forms a beautiful golden tunnel in the fall, and the Japanese Garden with numerous rest spots for sitting down and admiring stunning bright red foliage. During November at night, these two locations are beautifully lit up with all kinds of lighting, props, and even projection mapping equipment, transforming the spaces into works of art.

Enjoy Tokyo’s Autumn Foliage in a Myriad of Ways

Did your favorite autumn spots make the cut? Tokyo may be a giant metropolis with towering skyscrapers everywhere, but it is filled with pockets of nature that allow for autumn foliage to be savored pretty much anywhere and everywhere. So, while in Tokyo, why not relish the amazing beauty of Japan’s fall foliage by paying any one of these popular locations a visit?