Enjoy flower tourism in Tachikawa during autumn

Tachikawa is easily accessible from central Tokyo, and is home to the capital’s biggest park, Showa Kinen Park, popular with locals and tourists alike. While the cherry blossoms in spring take most of the headlines, autumn is also a great time to visit Tokyo. The weather and climate are pleasant, and the natural scenery bursts into color when the autumn leaves (or “koyo”) turn spectacular shades of red, yellow and orange. Head to Tachikawa and Showa Kinen Park for the perfect autumn day out.

Tachikawa

Tachikawa is a pleasant area in the western suburbs of Tokyo, with the Tama River flowing nearby. It’s home to Tokyo’s biggest park, Showa Kinen Park, where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with the beauty of nature. One of the best times to visit is in autumn. Whether you’re by yourself or with friends and family, it’s the perfect season to enjoy the flowers and autumn leaves while taking a relaxing stroll.

Autumn flowers in Showa Kinen Park

With a total area of 180 hectares, Showa Kinen Park is the largest park in Tokyo, and the perfect spot to enjoy seasonal flowers and foliage. There are more than 800 kinds of flowers and plants which can be enjoyed in any season, but the autumn months are particularly impressive. The park has a range of flower hills with cosmos, red spider lilies, osmanthus, and dahlias. Other good flower spots include the Japanese Garden, Children's Forest, and cycling course.
The Cosmos Festival is held in the park from September to October, and flower lovers should look out for the pink Sensation cosmos. The sweet scent of the splendid osmanthus trees drifts through the park when they bloom from late September to mid-October. The Kotei (Emperor) dahlia can be seen in November.
From late October you can enjoy the ginkgo and maple trees. Don’t miss the golden tunnel of about 100 ginkgo trees which line the 300-meter stretch known as Ginkgo Avenue. An Autumn Night Walk has been held since 2019, which lights up Ginkgo Avenue and the traditional Japanese Garden.

Oka Cafe, Green Springs, and Galera Food Market Tachikawa

You’ll find the Oka Cafe on the east side of the Minna no Harappa open space in Showa Kinen Park. You might recognize the traditional wooden lattice style of the architect Kengo Kuma. It was built using cedar wood from the Tama region, and the side of the cafe is sloped like a grassy hill. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink or snack, relax and enjoy the nature of each season.
Located next to Showa Kinen Park, Green Springs is a green open space surrounded by restaurants, shops, an impressive cascading water feature of about 120 meters, and a large fountain. Artworks, plants and benches contribute to the relaxing atmosphere. The Tachikawa Stage Garden hosts cultural and musical events. Climb the stairs by the cascade to reach the Sky Deck overlooking Showa Kinen Park. The whole area is beautifully lit up at night.
Galera Food Market Tachikawa takes its name from the Portuguese word for “crowd” and features ten restaurants in one site. This gourmet food court has a great range of options for lunch or dinner, as well as craft beer from Tachikawa Brewery.

Showa Kinen Park

Address	3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo
URL	Showa Kinen Park

Oka Cafe

Address	3-1 Mokusei no Mori, Akishima City, Tokyo
URL	Oka Cafe (JPN)

Green Springs

Address	3-1 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo
URL	Green Springs (JPN)

Galera Food Market Tachikawa

Address	2-16-1 Akebonocho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo
URL	Galera Food Market Tachikawa (JPN)

For up-to-date information on opening hours and further details please check the official websites.