Autumn Leaves in Tokyo: When and Where to See Them

Rikugien at night 14Photo: Kakidai / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Culture
Photo: Kakidai / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sep 30, 2026

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 6, 2026

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Autumn is one of the best times to visit Tokyo. The weather is usually comfortable, and from November the city’s ginkgo trees turn bright yellow and the maples turn red. The Japanese have a word for going out to see autumn leaves: momijigari.

Quick answer

When: usually mid-November to early December in central Tokyo. The mountains start earlier, from late October.

Good now, in early to mid-November: the Canal ginkgo at Showa Kinen Park, or roses with the first autumn color at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.

Night viewing in 2026: Showa Kinen Park to November 29, Koishikawa Korakuen November 13–24 and Rikugien November 25 – December 6.

WhenIn central Tokyo, usually from mid-November to early December. It changes every year and from place to place
What to seeYellow ginkgo avenues in the city, red maples in gardens and the mountains
TipCheck the latest leaf reports before you go

When to go: autumn leaves by place

Use this table to match your dates to a place. These are the usual times, and GO TOKYO says the peak can move by one or two weeks with the temperature.

PlaceUsual peakGood to know
OkutamaLate October – mid-NovemberAbout 2 hours from central Tokyo by train
Showa Kinen ParkEarly – late NovemberGinkgo. Night illuminations to November 29, 2026
Kyu-Furukawa GardensFrom NovemberRoses and autumn leaves event, November 7 – December 6, 2026
Mt. TakaoMid-November – early DecemberA good hike in this season
Meiji Jingu GaienMid-November – early DecemberThe famous ginkgo avenue
Shinjuku GyoenMid-November – early DecemberNo alcohol allowed
Inokashira ParkMid-November – early DecemberSwan boats on the pond
Ueno ParkMid-November – early DecemberEasy to combine with museums
Yoyogi ParkLate November – early DecemberNext to Meiji Jingu
Koishikawa KorakuenLate November – early DecemberNight opening November 13–24, 2026
Hama-rikyu GardensLate November – early DecemberA garden with skyscrapers behind it
Ninomaru GardenLate November – mid-DecemberIn the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Inui-dori Street opens November 28 – December 6, 2026
RikugienLate November – mid-DecemberAbout 560 trees. Night viewing November 25 – December 6, 2026

Showa Kinen Park’s dates are from the park’s own 2026 guide. Most others are from GO TOKYO.

Where to see autumn leaves in Tokyo

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

About 150 ginkgo trees line both sides of the road, leading to the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery at the end. The leaves usually start to turn in mid-November and are golden in late November. A ginkgo festival with food stalls is sometimes held in the peak season, but we could not confirm 2026 dates, so check the official site. See more gardens in Tokyo parks and gardens.

Shinjuku Gyoen

This large garden has Japanese, English and French gardens, with both maples and ginkgo trees. It is closed on Mondays (the next weekday if Monday is a holiday). See our Shinjuku guide.

Japanese gardens

Traditional gardens such as Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen are beautiful with red maples reflected in their ponds. Some gardens hold evening illuminations in the autumn season. Check each garden’s official information for dates and hours.

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Street 2014
Photo: Kakidai / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beyond Tokyo

Red maple leaves against the light in Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens
Photo: Kabacchi / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Nikko: the leaves turn earlier in the mountains, from around October at higher elevations. See our Nikko day trip.
  • Hakone: autumn colors around the lake and the ropeway. See our Hakone day trip.
  • Kamakura: temples with maples, usually late in the season. See our Kamakura day trip.

Tips

  • Popular spots are very crowded on weekends at peak time. Go early in the morning or on a weekday.
  • Mornings and evenings get chilly from November. Bring a light jacket.
  • Autumn leaves season is also a busy time for hotels. Book your stay early.
See hotels in Tokyo

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FAQ

When are the autumn leaves in Tokyo?

In central Tokyo, usually from mid-November to early December.

Where is the famous ginkgo avenue?

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, with about 150 ginkgo trees. They are usually golden in late November.

Where can I see autumn leaves at night in Tokyo?

In 2026, Showa Kinen Park lights up its ginkgo and garden to November 29. Koishikawa Korakuen opens at night November 13–24, and Rikugien November 25 – December 6. Night tickets are separate at the gardens.

Where can I see autumn leaves earlier?

In the mountains, such as Nikko, where the leaves turn from around October at higher elevations.

Is Shinjuku Gyoen good for autumn leaves?

Yes. It has both maples and ginkgo trees. It is closed on Mondays (the next weekday if Monday is a holiday).

Keep reading

Sources

This guide is based on the official information below, not on our own visit (checked November 6, 2026). Timetables, hours and prices can change, so please check before you go.