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Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

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Our top 10 scenic autumn foliage locations in Tokyo include the famous Rikugien Garden, which is lit up at night, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and Inokashira Park.

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Tokyo's Fall Colors

Tokyo boasts many beautiful gardens and parks where visitors can enjoy the charm of each season. The best time to see the fall foliage in Tokyo is from late November to early December.

Read on to learn the top 10 fall foliage spots in Tokyo. Some of the gardens featured here hold light-up events that enhance the beauty of the foliage!

Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots in Tokyo

1. Meiji Jingu Gaien
2. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
3. Yoyogi Park
4. Rikugien Garden
5. Hama-rikyu Gardens
6. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
7. Inokashira Park
8. Showa Kinen Park
9. Mt. Takao
10. Mitake Valley

1. Meiji Jingu Gaien: Tokyo’s Most Famous Fall Foliage Spot

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

Photo by Pixta

Meiji Jingu Gaien is a street lined by gingko trees on both sides of the 300-meter road. These trees create a stunning landscape come autumn with their vibrant yellow foliage!

Meiji Jingu Gaien is just outside of Aoyama-Itchome Station (Ginza/Hanzomon Line) if you take the Aoyama Dori Street Exit. The approximately 146 trees on this road turn into a golden color during the peak season, creating a glimmering tunnel when illuminated by the sun.

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage on Meiji Jingu Gaien can be enjoyed from late November to early December


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2. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Fall Foliage at an East-Meets-West Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen in fall

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a famous Tokyo garden located near the bustling Shinjuku district. This area was the property of the Naito family, a feudal clan of the Edo period (1603-1868). The land became an Imperial garden in 1906 and was opened to the general public in the 1950s.

This expansive 58.3-hectare park showcases various garden styles, including French, English, and Japanese-style gardens. As a result, the fall foliage will appear different in each garden. In the French garden, there are also rose bushes that bloom beautifully in the fall.

The garden closes at 16:30 (final entry at 16:00) and has an admission fee of 500 yen (250 yen for junior high school students and under).

Special Light-up Event: NAKED Autumn Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen 2023

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

In 2023, Shinjuku Gyoen is hosting a special autumn foliage light-up event in collaboration with the creative unit NAKED, Inc.

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023
Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

NAKED Autumn Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen 2023 will be held November 22 - December 3 between 18:00 and 22:00 (last entry at 21:00, food and drink last order at 21:30, gate closing at 22:00).

The event features beautiful light installations and project mapping by NAKED, Inc. as well as booths offering autumn-themed delights and hot beverages.

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage in Shinjuku Gaien National Garden can be enjoyed from November to early December (the dogwood leaves change in October).


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3. Yoyogi Park: Enjoy a Picnic Under the Golden Trees

Tokyo's Beautiful Fall Leaves - The Best 10 Spots To Visit In 2021

Photo by Pixta

Yoyogi Park was part of the Olympic Village during the Tokyo 1964 Olympics. It then opened as a park in 1967.

Yoyogi Park is a classic location to view autumn foliage in the city. There are six tree varieties of trees, including 1,000 zelkova, 200 ginkgo, and 100 maple trees that grace the vast, 54-hectare park with their foliage in autumn.

Tokyo's Beautiful Fall Leaves - The Best 10 Spots To Visit In 2021

Photo by Pixta

The park can be easily accessed from Harajuku Station or Shibuya Station and is always full of people bicycling, picnicking, and practicing their instruments on the weekends. Many events and flea markets are also held here. How about spreading out a picnic blanket and enjoying nature while gazing at fall foliage?

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage in Yoyogi Park can be enjoyed from November to early December.


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4. Rikugien Garden: A Splendid Traditional Japanese Garden

Tokyo's Beautiful Fall Leaves - The Best 10 Spots To Visit In 2021

Photo by Pixta

Visiting an authentic Japanese garden is a must while in Japan. In Tokyo, the most famous one may be Rikugien Garden.

Rikugien was created in 1702 and was designed so that visitors can enjoy strolling around the garden. It was made by constructing a hill from flat land 8.9 hectares in size, then supplying water to its manmade pond. Records state that Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646-1709), the shogun of the time, visited the park at least 58 times upon its completion.

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

Photo by Pixta

There are 450 Japanese maple trees, as well as 600 other maple varieties and ginkgo trees bursting into color in autumn.

Rikugien is lit up at night during the fall foliage season, offering dreamlike scenery.

In 2023, the Rikugien Evening Autumn Foliage Ligh-up is held November 22 - December 3 between 16:00 and 20:30 (last admission at 19:30).
Online tickets: 900 yen (available on Asoview)
Same-day tickets: 1,100 yen (*cash only. The same-day tickets can be purchased only during the evening light-up hours.)

*Kaiyushiki Tsukiyama Sensui Teien: a Japanese-style garden where visitors stroll through the grounds. With a large pond at its center, this style of garden recreates scenic views from across Japan through landscaping features like artificial hills, islets erected in the pond, bridges, and exquisite stones that surround the pathways around the pond.

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage in Rikugien Garden can be enjoyed between late November and early December.

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5. Hama-rikyu Gardens: An Oasis amid Skyscrapers

Hamarikyu Gardens

Picture courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association

Hama-rikyu Gardens is located by the Sumida River amid the city office buildings near Tokyo's Shiodome Station. The water in the garden pond is seawater, which changes in level depending on the time of the low tide. This seawater pond is the only one of its kind found in Tokyo!

Trident maple and other maple varieties can be found in the garden, allowing you to take in the beautiful fall foliage.

The Japanese teahouse located on the islet can be accessed by its two bridges. Here, you can enjoy a bowl of matcha tea and Japanese sweets. How about enjoying the flavors of Japan while gazing up at the crimson foliage?

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage at Hama-rikyu Gardens can be enjoyed between mid-November and early December.

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6. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden: A Beautiful Pond and Fall Foliage

Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen is a garden made to recreate famous views from all across Japan. Its main attraction, the garden pond, is said to represent Lake Biwa near Kyoto.

Near the Oigawa River, modeled after its namesake near Kyoto's Arashiyama, is a view that splendidly combines the red Tsutenkyo Bridge with the autumn leaves. The reflection of the red and yellow foliage on the water is magnificent.

The garden has many other highlights during the season, such as the Fall Foliage Forest, which is a tunnel of leaves. There is an autumn leaves festival usually held in November.

Tokyo Dome City, an entertainment complex next to the Tokyo Dome stadium, has restaurants, amusement parks, and spa facilities. Be sure to stop by after viewing the foliage!

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden can be enjoyed between late November and early December.


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7. Inokashira Park: Enjoy a Stroll amid the Fall Colors

Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park is home to several facilities. These include Inokashira Pond, located at the center of the park, a promenade, Inokashira Park Zoo, and the Ghibli Museum.

In the fall, 600 trees dyed in crimson and yellow create gorgeous scenery! If you ride a boat at Inokashira Pond, you can gaze at the fall foliage from a unique perspective.

Strolling around the pond or sitting on a bench and peacefully observing the foliage are also pleasant activities to enjoy here. Come to Inokashira Park and enjoy the seasonal beauty!

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage at Inokashira Park can be enjoyed between mid-November and mid-December

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8. Showa Kinen Park: Enjoy the Fall Foliage at Tokyo's Largest Park

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

Photo by Pixta

Showa Kinen Park is the largest park in Tokyo with a total area of 180 hectares. The location is famous for its seasonal flowers, such as tulips, sunflowers, and cosmos. In particular, the ginkgo foliage is a major autumn highlight.

The Canal road stretches for 200 meters from the Fureai (Friendship) Field and is lined with ginkgo trees on both sides.

Tokyo's Fall Foliage: Top 10 Gardens and Parks in 2023

Photo by Pixta

Several Japanese maple trees are also located in the Japanese garden at the park. The Japanese garden is definitely worth a visit!

There are several cafes and teahouses where you can enjoy a break during your visit.

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage at Showa Kinen Park can be enjoyed from early to the end of November.


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9. Mt. Takao: Go Hiking amid the Fall Foliage

Mt. Takao in fall

Mt. Takao is accessible in about one hour by train from Shinjuku. You can choose from eight different trails based on hiking time and difficulty level. Visitors can observe the Japanese maple leaves on the summit of the mountain as well as along the cable car line.

The nearest station to Mt. Takao is Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Line. If you depart from Shinjuku Station, take a train on the Chuo Line to Takao Station and transfer to the Keio Line. Takaosanguchi Station is just on stop away from Takao Station.

Annual Autumn Leaves Season

The fall foliage on Mt. Takao can be enjoyed from early to late November.


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10. Mitake Valley: Stroll on a Path Surrounded by Fall Foliage

Mitake Valley in fall

Picture courtesy of Ome Tourism Association

The Mitake Valley can be accessed in about an hour and a half by train from Shinjuku. At this location at the foot of Mt. Mitake, you can walk through the forest and enjoy the beautiful foliage and fresh air. The well-maintained promenade is near Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line and is perfect for hiking.

The Ozawa Sake Brewery is located at the end of the promenade. Here you can sample tofu dishes and local Japanese sake. It's the perfect place for a refreshing meal after your hike!

Annual Fall Foliage Season

The fall foliage in Mitake Valley can be enjoyed from mid to late November.

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Enjoy Autumn in Tokyo 2023

In Tokyo, you can enjoy historical gardens painted red and gold by the fall foliage, as well as mountain scenery in the fall. We hope you enjoy the splendid seasonal scenery in Japan's capital.

Main image courtesy of Pixta

Written by

The MATCHA editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

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