Best Places to See Red Leaves in Tokyo

It is a most popular activity around Japan to see red leaves in autumn. Up to November, Tokyo ushers in the best time to enjoy the autumn leaves, especially the red maple leaves. A little later, at the end of November and early December, it’s the best time of yellow gingko leaves. The major parks and more places are all popular spots for the fall foliage around Tokyo.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

As a top garden in Tokyo city, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is absolutely the best place to see red leaves there. As long as you get out from the metro station, the red leaves would come into your sight directly. In autumn, it’s a great place to appreciate both red maples and yellow gingko, as you can also have a leisure time to stroll around the garden or have a picnic on the pawn as the locals do.

  Get there: Shinjuku-gyoemmae Sta. on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
  Opening hours: 09:00 - 16:00 (Oct. 1st-Mar. 14th) / 17:30 (Mar. 15th-Jun. 30th & Aug. 21st-Sep. 30th) / 18:30 (Jul. 1st-Aug. 20th)
  Closed: Mondays except for the national holidays & Dec. 29th - Jan. 3rd
  Best time to see maples: the middle & late Nov.
  Best time to see gingko: late Nov. - early Dec.
  Fare: JPY 500

Yoyogi Park

In autumn, the leaves of tens of thousands of trees around Yoyogi Park turn to red, yellow, or orange, making the place a colorful fairyland. In addition to the red maples, the gingko scene there is also stunning. In particular, it is dreamily beautiful near sunset, against the gorgeous evening glow and dim sky. Next to famous Meiji Jingu Shrine, it’s also convenient to reach and popular with lots of visitors.

  Get there: Yoyogi-koen Sta. on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line;
3-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station on Yamanote Line
  Opening hours: all day
  Closed period of the service center: end of Dec. & beginning of Jan.
  Best time to see fall foliage: mid-late Nov. - early Dec. (gingko is a little later than red maples)
  Fare: Free

Hibiya Park

Hidden in the city center, Hibiya Park is an old park in Tokyo in western style, famous for the large fountain pool. Next to the Imperial Palace and Ginza, it seems to be a city oasis in the bustling Tokyo downtown. Although it’s not big, it is a great place for the natural beauty in different seasons. When the clusters of red leaves appear among the towering buildings in the surroundings, it is a kind of spectacular scenery as well.

  Get there: Hibiya Sta. on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Hibiya Line & Toei Mita Line
  Opening hours: all day
  Best time to see autumn leaves: late Nov. - early Dec.
  Fare: Free

Rikugi-en Garden

Rikugi-en Garden is a typical Japanese-styled garden in Tokyo, completed in 1695 AD. During the day, it is clear to enjoy the autumn scenery while strolling around the garden. Otherwise, it is also great to sit at the tea house and see the pond and autumn leaves while trying the traditional cakes. It’s welcomed to see red leaves there after sunset likewise. Usually, there is an illumination at night during the maple season. As the lake water flickers against the red leaves and lights, creating a vibe of maple viewing different from the daytime.

  Get there: Komagome Sta. on Tokyo Metro Namboku Line & JR Yamanote Line
  Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00
  Best time to see autumn leaves: mid Nov. - early Dec.
  Fare: JPY 300

Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao, in the western outskirts of Tokyo city, is definitely a best place for red leaves in autumn. It’s somewhat far from the downtown, but it is the superb spot to enjoy fall foliage. There are several hiking trails, thus you can hike on the mountain while enjoying the scenery of autumn leaves. Also, it’s nice to overlook the scene on the ropeway. If it’s very clear, it’s possible to see world-known Mt. Fuji in a distance, on the mountain top.

  Get there: Takaosanguchi Sta. on Keio Takao Line
  Opening hours of ropeway: 08:00 - 17:15-18:30 (cableway) / 09:00-16:00/16:30 (chairlift)
  Best time to see red leaves: November (a little earlier than in the downtown)
  Fare of the ropeway: JPY 490 (one way) / JPY 950 (a round trip)

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is a traditional garden built in early Edo Period (1603-1868 AD). With a variety of maples and gingkoes, the leaves turn colors in late autumn. The imitated landscape of Arashiyama in Kyoto, is the most popular viewing spot for red leaves. With the pavilion behind, it is particularly imposing to enjoy red leaves from the “Togetsukyo Bridge”.

  Get there: Korakuen Sta. on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line & Namboku Line
  Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
  Best time for red leaves: late Nov. - early Dec.
  Fare: JPY 300

Lake Okutama

It’s an early maple viewing spot in Tokyo, as you can enjoy the red leaves since early November. Lake Okutama is actually a grand man-made lake in the west of Tokyo city, near the Yamanashi Prefecture. During the red leave season, many people rush there, to stroll along the shore or see the red leaves and the reflection on the water. The picturesque scenery with maples is incredibly splendid, especially the aerial view on the shore-side mountain.

  Get there: transfer to 15-minute bus to Lake Okutama at JR Okutama Sta. on JR Ōme Lime
  Opening hours: all day
  Best time for fall foliage: middle of Nov. and mid-late Nov.
  Fare: Free

Mt. Mitake & Mitake Gorge

Mt. Mitake and Mitake Gorge, in the western suburban area of Tokyo, is a natural spot to enjoy autumn leaves in Tokyo. Just out of JR Mitake Station, it’s the Mitake Gorge. You may go through the gorge to Mt. Mitake or take a bus to the lower station of cableway. On the railway there, you can see the magnificent landscape aboard. With waterfalls on the mountain, red leaves seem to be more beautiful. Meanwhile, it’s relaxing and interesting to explore the Japanese culture at the shrines and temples there.

  Get there: transfer to 10-min bus to stop from Mitake Sta. on JR Ōme Lime
  Opening hours: all day; 07:30-18:30 (cableway)
  Best time for autumn leaves: early Nov. - mid-Nov.
  Fare of the cableway: JPY 600 (one way) / JPY 1,200 (a round trip)
  Fare of the chairlift: JPY 100 (one way) / JPY 190 (a round trip)

More Gingko Viewing Spots in Tokyo:

  Gingko Avenue of Meiji Jingu Gaien, the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine: Gaiemmae Sta. on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line; Aoyama-itchome Sta. on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Ginza Line & Toei Oedo Line
  Gyoko-dori Avenue, the avenue connecting Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace: Marunouchi Exit of Tokyo Station
  Hongo Campus - University of Tokyo: big gingko trees with old architecture; Todaimae Sta. on Tokyo Metro Namboku Line
  Showa Memorial Park: west outskirts of Tokyo, 20-minute walk from JR Tachigawa Sta. on JR Chuo Line
  Komazawa Olympic Park: Tokyu Bus from JR Shibuya Sta. to East Exit of Komazawa Park; Tokyu bus from JR Ebisu Sta. to Komazawa Park stop

More Best Places to See Red Leaves near Tokyo:

  Lake Kawaguchi under Mt. Fuji
  Lake Ashi, Hakone
  Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzen-ji, Nikko
  Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura

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