Tokyo Autumn Leaves Guide 2026: Must-See Spots, Transport and Food

2026 Tokyo Autumn Leaves Guide: Recommended Must-See Spots

Tokyo’s autumn is a world of rich color, with all kinds of maple leaves dressing the city like a poem or a painting. From the bustling city center to quiet gardens, Tokyo has many stunning leaf-viewing spots. Whether you are a young couple or a family, you can find your own autumn story here. This article recommends Tokyo’s must-visit autumn leaf spots so you can experience Tokyo’s unique charm in autumn 2026.

Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park is just south of Kichijoji Station and is a famous leaf-viewing spot. The park has a large lake and dense woods, and every autumn maples of every color compete in brilliance for stunning scenery. Visitors can stroll by the lake and admire the leaves reflected in the water, or rent a small boat and row leisurely across the lake to feel the quiet beauty of autumn.

The history of Inokashira Park goes back to 1917, when it opened as an imperial gift park. In addition to beautiful natural scenery, the park has many cultural facilities such as the the Inokashira Park Nature and Culture Garden, which has rich plant and animal resources and educational facilities and is an ideal spot for family trips.

The best time to visit Inokashira Park is mid to late November, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the park’s scenery. Admission is free, and rowboats, pedal boats and swan boats can be rented on the lake, with fees varying by boat type. Address: 1-1-1 Gotenyama, Musashino City, Tokyo. Hours: open 24 hours.

Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, and its grounds have broad woodland, where in autumn you can stroll the forest approach and admire the red leaves.

The shrine office on the grounds offers various omamori charms and goshuin stamps, which you can request as a keepsake after worshipping.

The best time to visit Meiji Jingu is early morning or evening, when there are fewer people and you can feel the shrine’s atmosphere more peacefully. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission to the grounds is free. Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo. Hours: sunrise to sunset, with opening and closing times varying each month, so check the official website before you go.

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest parks, with rich plant resources and beautiful garden scenery. Every autumn the maples in Shinjuku Gyoen compete in brilliance and draw large crowds of leaf-viewers. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the garden admiring the beautiful leaves, or sit on a bench and quietly enjoy the stillness of autumn.

The history of Shinjuku Gyoen goes back to the Edo period, when it was first built as a feudal lord’s garden. After many renovations and expansions it became the park it is today. In addition to beautiful natural scenery, the garden has many historic buildings and cultural facilities, an ideal place to learn about Japanese history and culture.

The best time to visit Shinjuku Gyoen is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the garden’s scenery. Admission is ¥500; from October to mid-March, hours are 9:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00), closed Mondays (open daily from November 1 to 15). Address: 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo.

University of Tokyo Hongo Campus

The University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus is the university’s main campus, with beautiful campus scenery. Every autumn the maples dress the campus in particular beauty, drawing many visitors for leaf viewing. Visitors can stroll leisurely around the campus admiring the beautiful leaves, or visit the historic buildings on campus to learn about the university’s history and culture.

The history of the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus goes back to 1877, making it one of Japan’s oldest universities. The campus has many historic buildings and cultural facilities, such as the University of Tokyo Museum and Yasuda Auditorium, which are must-visit spots for visitors.

The best time to visit the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission is free, but some facilities may charge a fee. Address: 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo. Hours: generally 9:00-17:00, but some facilities may have different opening hours.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s famous parks, with rich natural resources and cultural facilities. Every autumn the park’s maples make it particularly beautiful and draw large crowds of leaf-viewers. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the park admiring the beautiful leaves, or visit the museums and galleries in the park to learn about Japanese history and culture.

The history of Ueno Park goes back to the Edo period, when it was first established as the temple grounds of Kan’ei-ji. The park has many cultural facilities, such as the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo, which are must-visit spots for visitors.

The best time to visit Ueno Park is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the park’s scenery. Admission is free, but some facilities may charge a fee. Address: Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo. Hours: open 24 hours, but some facilities may have different opening hours.

Hama-rikyu Gardens

Hama-rikyu Gardens is one of Tokyo’s famous gardens, with beautiful Japanese garden scenery. Every autumn the garden’s maples dress it in particular beauty, drawing many visitors for leaf viewing. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the garden admiring the beautiful leaves, or visit the historic buildings in the garden to learn about traditional Japanese culture.

The history of Hama-rikyu Gardens goes back to the 17th century, when it was first built as a villa of the shogun’s family. After many renovations and expansions it became the garden it is today. The garden has many historic buildings and cultural facilities, such as the Shioiri-no-Gosho and Matsu-no-Midai, which are must-visit spots for visitors.

The best time to visit Hama-rikyu Gardens is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission is ¥300; hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Address: 1-1 Hamarikyu-teien, Chuo City, Tokyo.

Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo’s famous gardens, with beautiful Japanese garden scenery.

The history of Koishikawa Korakuen goes back to the 17th century, when it was first built as the secondary residence of the Mito Tokugawa family. The garden has many historic buildings and cultural facilities, such as the Engetsukyo bridge and Kantoku-tei, which are must-visit spots for visitors.

The best time to visit Koishikawa Korakuen is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission is ¥300; hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo.

Koishikawa Korakuen Special Night Opening: November 13 to 24, 2026

Koishikawa Korakuen holds a special night opening, “Enjoying the Deep-Mountain Glowing Leaves,” from November 13 to November 24, 2026, from 18:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00). Highlights are the autumn-leaf-themed lighting on Engetsukyo bridge, a projection show on the Tsuijibei wall, and night lighting of Hitotsu-matsu pine, Horai-jima island and the Kara-mon gate, while the “Vidro Tea House” at Kantoku-tei by the West Gate offers a night-only matcha and Japanese sweets set. For admission fees and reservation methods, please follow the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association’s announcements.

Rikugien

Rikugien is one of Tokyo’s famous parks, with rich natural resources and beautiful garden scenery. Every autumn the park’s maples make it particularly beautiful and draw large crowds of leaf-viewers. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the park admiring the beautiful leaves, or visit the historic buildings in the park to learn about traditional Japanese culture.

The history of Rikugien goes back to the 18th century, when it was first built as a feudal lord’s garden. The park has many cultural facilities, such as the Fukiage Tea House and Togetsukyo bridge, which are must-visit spots for visitors.

The best time to visit Rikugien is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission is ¥300; hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Address: 2-11-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s famous parks, with rich natural resources and beautiful scenery. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the park admiring the beautiful leaves, or join the park’s various activities, such as picnics and sports.

The site of Yoyogi Park was the athletes’ village for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and it opened as a metropolitan park in 1967. Next to the park, the National Yoyogi Stadium is a venue built for the Olympics.

The best time to visit Yoyogi Park is late November to early December, when the leaves reach their peak color. We suggest staying 1-2 hours. Admission is free; hours: open 24 hours. Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

The ginkgo avenue is inside Jingu Gaien, a different location from the main Meiji Jingu shrine. About 146 ginkgo trees line a promenade roughly 300 meters long and turn golden in autumn, making it Tokyo’s most representative ginkgo-viewing landmark.

The nearest stations to the ginkgo avenue are Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Shinanomachi Station on the JR Chuo Line, about a 5-10 minute walk. Weekends are crowded, so we suggest going early on a weekday morning.

The best time to see the ginkgo avenue usually falls from mid-November to early December. The promenade is open all year and free, and at its end is the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, a classic photo backdrop.

Mount Takao

Mount Takao is in Hachioji, about 599 meters above sea level, and has been awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. From Shinjuku it takes about 50 minutes on the Keio Line to reach Takaosanguchi Station, and the mountain is cooler than the city, so the leaves usually come 1-2 weeks earlier than in central Tokyo.

There are 7 hiking trails, and you can also go up by the cable car or chairlift of the Takao Tozan Railway. The most recommended Trail 1 passes the Monkey Park and the Octopus Cedar and finally reaches Yakuo-in on the mountainside.

The best time for autumn leaves on Mount Takao is roughly mid to late November. A round-trip cable car ticket (Kiyotaki Station to Takaosan Station) costs about ¥980 for adults (actual fares follow the Takao Tozan Railway’s announcements), and the mountain trails are open all year and free to enter. Address: Takaomachi, Hachioji City, Tokyo. We suggest planning a half day to a full day and wearing shoes suitable for hiking.

Showa Kinen Park (National Government Park)

Showa Kinen Park (National Government Park) is in Tachikawa in western Tokyo, covering about 180 hectares, one of the largest parks in the city, with large lawns, a Japanese garden and a large ginkgo avenue, and its autumn scenery is spectacular and layered. The best-known viewing spot is a straight boulevard called “Canal (Unga-dori),” lined with neatly planted ginkgo trees on both sides, which form a golden tunnel stretching hundreds of meters at full bloom.

The park can be reached on foot from Tachikawa Station on the JR Chuo Line or Nishi-Tachikawa Station on the JR Ome Line. The grounds are vast, so we suggest allowing more than half a day to take it slowly. Besides the ginkgo avenue, the park’s “Japanese Garden” area also has fine maple landscaping, suited to visitors who like a quiet atmosphere.

The best time for the ginkgo is roughly mid to late November. Admission is ¥450 for adults (high school students and over) and ¥210 for those 65 and over, free for junior high school students and under; hours from November to February are 9:30-16:30. Address: 3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo.