Autumn Leaves in Tokyo: 6 Amazing Spots We Almost Don’t Want to Share

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Tokyo.

The summer heat finally disappears, walking around the city becomes much more comfortable, and Tokyo slowly turns from green to shades of yellow, orange, and red.

But there is one thing many travelers get wrong:

October is usually still too early for peak autumn colors in central Tokyo.

While October already feels like autumn, the best colors in Tokyo usually arrive from mid-November through early December, depending on the weather and location.

So, where should you go?

Instead of giving you another endless list of autumn spots, we've divided our recommendations into two groups:

3 famous spots that deserve their reputation — and 3 quieter places for travelers who want to discover a different side of Tokyo.

3 Must-Visit Autumn Classics

1. Meiji Jingu Gaien — Walk Through Tokyo’s Golden Tunnel

2. Rikugien Gardens — The Picture-Perfect Japanese Autumn

3. Shinjuku Gyoen — An Autumn Escape in the Heart of Tokyo

3 Hidden Autumn Gems

4. Kuhonbutsu Joshinji Temple — A Little Kyoto Hidden in Tokyo

5. Higo-Hosokawa Garden — A Quiet Autumn Oasis Most Tourists Miss

6. Tonogayato Garden — Tokyo’s Autumn Secret Worth the Extra Train Ride

1. Meiji Jingu Gaien

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★★☆

If you've seen photos of autumn in Tokyo, there's a good chance you've already seen this place.

The famous Icho Namiki, or ginkgo avenue, at Meiji Jingu Gaien is lined with tall ginkgo trees that turn brilliant yellow in autumn.

What makes this spot special isn't red maple leaves — it's the golden tunnel created by the ginkgo trees.

Walk toward the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and you'll get one of Tokyo's most recognizable autumn views.

The downside?

You're definitely not the only person who knows about it.

Expect plenty of visitors and photographers during peak season, especially on weekends.

Best time: Mid-November to early DecemberNearest station: Gaienmae StationBest for: Photography, first-time visitors, golden ginkgo trees.

Japanguin Tip🐧 : Go on a weekday morning if possible. The difference in atmosphere can be huge.

Best time: Mid-November to early December

Nearest station: Gaienmae Station

Best for: Golden ginkgo trees, photography, iconic Tokyo autumn views

📍 Location: Google Maps

2. Rikugien Gardens

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★★½

If Meiji Jingu Gaien represents modern Tokyo autumn, Rikugien represents the traditional side.

Created during the Edo period, Rikugien is a traditional Japanese landscape garden built around a large pond, small hills, bridges, and carefully designed walking paths.

In late autumn, the maple trees turn deep red and orange, creating exactly the kind of scenery many travelers imagine when they think of autumn in Japan.

The reflections of the leaves on the pond make it especially beautiful.

Rikugien has also traditionally held special evening autumn events, when parts of the garden are illuminated after sunset.

For 2026, the special nighttime autumn viewing is scheduled for November 25 to December 6.

Best time: Late November to early DecemberNearest station: Komagome StationBest for: Japanese gardens, red maple leaves, traditional scenery.

Japanguin Tip: If your schedule allows it, autumn is one of the rare times when visiting Rikugien after dark can offer a completely different experience.

Best time: Late November to early December

Nearest station: Komagome Station

Best for: Japanese gardens, red maple leaves, traditional scenery

📍 Location: Google Maps

3. Shinjuku Gyoen

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★½☆

Staying in Shinjuku?

Then this is probably the easiest place on this list to add to your itinerary.

Shinjuku Gyoen is only a short walk from one of the busiest areas in Tokyo, but once you're inside, the atmosphere changes completely.

The huge garden contains different styles of landscaping and a wide variety of trees, meaning the autumn colors are more varied than at many smaller gardens.

It's also spacious enough to slow down, walk around, and take a break from sightseeing.

You can easily spend an hour or two here before heading back into Shinjuku.

Best time: Mid-November to early DecemberNearest station: Shinjuku-gyoenmae StationBest for: Easy access, relaxing walks, travelers staying in Shinjuku.

Japanguin Tip: Don't rush through it just because it's in central Tokyo.

Grab a coffee beforehand and treat it as a break from your sightseeing schedule.

Best time: Mid-November to early December

Nearest station: Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station

Best for: Relaxing walks, colorful foliage, easy access from central Tokyo

📍 Location: Google Maps

Want to Experience the Tokyo Most Tourists Miss?

Tokyo’s famous spots are famous for a reason — but there’s so much more to the city than what you’ll find in a typical guidebook.

At Japanguin, we help travelers go beyond sightseeing through local experiences, Japanese language, and real connections with people in Japan.

Learn a little Japanese, explore local neighborhoods, grab a drink at an izakaya, and experience Tokyo from a different perspective.

Don’t just visit Japan. Connect with it.

→ Explore Japanguin Experiences

4. Kuhonbutsu Joshinji Temple

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★★½

This might be our favorite hidden autumn spot on the list.

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Setagaya, Kuhonbutsu Joshinji Temple feels surprisingly far removed from central Tokyo.

The temple was founded during the Edo period and is known for its nine Amida Buddha statues — the origin of the name Kuhonbutsu, or "nine Buddhas."

But come in autumn, and the temple grounds become something completely different.

Large trees surrounding the traditional temple buildings turn yellow and red, creating a scene that almost feels like something you'd expect to find in Kyoto.

Except you're still in Tokyo.

And unlike some of Tokyo's most famous autumn destinations, the surrounding neighborhood itself is part of the experience.

Take your time, walk around Kuhonbutsu, and you'll see a quieter, residential side of Tokyo that many visitors never experience.

Nearest station: Kuhonbutsu StationArea: SetagayaBest for: Temples, quiet walks, traditional atmosphere.

Japanguin Tip: Don't just visit the temple and immediately leave. Explore the neighborhood afterward — nearby Jiyugaoka is also an easy addition to the same trip.

Best time: Late November to early December

Nearest station: Kuhonbutsu Station

Best for: Temples, maple leaves, peaceful local atmosphere

📍 Location: Google Maps

5. Higo-Hosokawa Garden

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★★★

You don't always have to leave central Tokyo to escape the crowds.

Higo-Hosokawa Garden sits in Bunkyo City near the Kanda River and Waseda area.

It was once connected to the residence of the Hosokawa family, the feudal lords of Kumamoto, and today it remains a beautiful traditional Japanese garden centered around a pond.

During autumn, the surrounding trees turn red and yellow and reflect across the water.

The interesting part is the contrast.

You're still surrounded by Tokyo, but once you're walking around the pond, the city suddenly feels much farther away.

If you like the idea of Rikugien but want somewhere smaller and less famous among international visitors, this is a great alternative.

Nearest area: Waseda / EdogawabashiArea: BunkyoBest for: Quiet gardens, photography, slow travel.

Japanguin Tip: Combine it with a walk along the Kanda River or explore the Waseda neighborhood instead of immediately heading back to Shinjuku.

Best time: Late November to early December

Nearest station: Waseda Station / Edogawabashi Station

Best for: Japanese gardens, reflections, quiet autumn scenery

📍 Location: Google Maps

6. Tonogayato Garden

Yohei’s Rating: ★★★★★

Our final recommendation requires a little more effort.

And that's exactly why we like it.

Tonogayato Garden is located in Kokubunji, west of central Tokyo.

Originally developed as a private residence in the early 20th century, the garden uses the natural differences in elevation of the Musashino landscape.

Walking through it feels much more natural and intimate than walking through a large city park.

One of its highlights is the area around the pond, where red maple leaves create a beautiful contrast with the surrounding greenery.

Because Kokubunji isn't on the standard sightseeing route for most international visitors, coming here also gives you an excuse to see another side of Tokyo.

No Shibuya Crossing.

No giant screens.

No endless souvenir shops.

Just a quiet garden in western Tokyo.

Nearest station: Kokubunji StationArea: Western TokyoBest for: Slow travel, repeat visitors, escaping central Tokyo.

Japanguin Tip: This one makes the most sense if you've already seen Tokyo's major attractions and want to spend half a day exploring somewhere more local.

Best time: Late November to early December

Nearest station: Kokubunji Station

Best for: Maple leaves, traditional gardens, escaping the tourist crowds

📍 Location: Google Maps

When Should You See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo?

One final warning:

Don't arrive in early October expecting Tokyo to be covered in red leaves.

October is a fantastic month to visit Tokyo because the weather becomes much more comfortable, but central Tokyo usually doesn't reach its best autumn colors until later.

As a general guide:

• Mid-November: Ginkgo trees and some early autumn colors begin looking good.

• Late November: One of the best periods for autumn foliage across Tokyo.

• Early December: Many Japanese gardens and maple spots can still be spectacular.

Of course, autumn colors depend on temperatures, so the exact timing changes every year.

If seeing autumn leaves is one of the main reasons for your trip, check the latest foliage information shortly before you arrive.

Discover the Tokyo Beyond the Guidebooks

Tokyo isn't just Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa.

Some of the best experiences happen when you leave the standard tourist route, walk through a residential neighborhood, visit a tiny local restaurant, or try speaking a little Japanese with someone you meet along the way.

That's the Tokyo we love at Japanguin.

We create experiences that combine Japanese language, local culture, and real interaction — helping you experience Japan not just as a tourist, but a little more like a local.

Speak Local. Experience Local. Connect Local.