Autumn Guide

Take advantage of the gorgeous views and comfortable weather, visiting traditional gardens, expansive parks, and the nearby mountains

In mid-November, leaves turn enchanting shades of red and yellow, and Tokyo’s parks and gardens attract hordes of visitors in search of the perfect autumn scene. For traditional views, you can’t beat Tokyo’s gardens. Viewing the crimson trees and reflective ponds at Rikugien Gardens and Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back to Japan’s feudal past.

Autumn is also a perfect time for picnics and outdoor recreation. Within the city, you’ll find numerous parks with ample space to relax or play. Alternatively, to really take advantage of the season, consider a day trip to one of the nearby mountains, which offer easy hikes and rewarding scenic views.

The best traditional gardens for autumn foliage

Arguably the most popular autumn destination is the Rikugien Gardens, a traditional garden immaculately tailored to provide the most serene views. The best time to see the autumn leaves here is late November to early December. For additional Edo-period views, head to Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Ninomaru Garden (at the Imperial Palace), or the Hama-riyku Gardens.

Rikugien Gardens

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Picnics and recreation

While the traditional Japanese gardens offer some of the most stunning sights, they are not particularly suited to leisure and relaxation. Consider a stroll through Icho Namiki in Meiji Jingu Gaien. Lined with hundreds of massive, yellow ginkgo trees, this avenue also makes for a perfect photo spot. For more active recreational activities, head to Yoyogi Park or Showa Kinen Park. Both parks provide expansive grounds for picnics, running, cycling, and sports, all while offering spectacular autumn views.

Meiji Jingu Gaien

Showa Kinen Park

Scenic adventures and day trips

Of course, the fall colors really shine outside of the city, as the densely forested mountains change into radical hues of red and orange. Those looking for a more scenic experience will enjoy taking a day trip to one of Tokyo’s nearby mountains. Some of the best trails and views can be found at Mt. Takao, Mt. Mitake, and Akigawa Valley. At Lake Okutama, you can see the autumn colors of the surrounding mountains beautifully reflected in the lake's surface. Even if you’d prefer to forego the hike, many of these areas are also suitable for leisure, with traditional inns and hot springs making for a peaceful overnight stay.

Mt. Takao

Lake Okutama

Autumn festivals

Whether you’re interested in traditional festivals or modern art events, Tokyo is full of fantastic autumn attractions. Nezu-jinja Shrine, designated as an Important Cultural Property, is especially lively during the "Annual Grand Festival" held in mid-September. Traditional dances, taiko drum performances, as well as stalls lining the vast shrine grounds provide a uniquely Japanese festival atmosphere.
"Tokyo Festival," is held in the Ikebukuro area, is an international performing arts festival where artists from Japan and abroad showcase theater, dance, music, art, and film. For info on other autumn activities, check our Autumn Local Festival Guide and our Autumn Art Event Guide.

Nezu-jinja Shrine

Tokyo Festival

Autumn flowers

In autumn, colorful flowers bloom across Tokyo beneath the clear sky. Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, the only remaining flower garden from the Edo period (1603-1867), is famous for its early autumn clover tunnel. During the "Hagi Matsuri (Bush Clover Festival)," a 30-meter-long bamboo tunnel is decorated with pretty clover flowers. For a walk through nature in Tokyo, visit the "Cosmos Festival" in Showa Kinen Park, one of the largest parks in the city. Beautiful cosmos flowers fill the fields with a variety of colors and shapes. The "Takahata Fudoson Chrysanthemum Festival" features around 1,000 chrysanthemums, the autumn flower beloved in Japan since the Heian period (794-1185).

Hagi Matsuri (Bush Clover Festival)

Cosmos Festival

Autumn cuisine

The autumn months are a time to enjoy seasonal produce such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, chestnuts, and mushrooms. The food looks just like the seasonal trees, with varied hues of red, orange, and yellow. Whether it’s a quick snack from a local food stall or an elaborate kaiseki banquet meal, Japan’s fall cuisine resonates with a subtle, soothing mood reminiscent of the changing seasons.