By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Autumn in Tokyo not only carries the fashionable vibe of a metropolis but also a romantic touch as crimson maple leaves color the branches. If you want to enjoy Tokyo’s beautiful scenery covered in maple leaves, this year’s best time to visit falls between mid-November and early December. As for famous “maple viewing spots” in Tokyo, here are six popular hotspots you shouldn’t miss.
● Yoyogi Park
Once a military training ground, Yoyogi Park is located in Shibuya and features vast wooded areas alongside the nearby Meiji Shrine, together forming a serene and lush landscape. In addition to cherry blossom viewing in spring, its autumn foliage is also quite famous.
Yoyogi Park. (Image source / torunotabi.at.webry)
● Rikugien Garden
Construction of Rikugien Garden began in 1965 and took seven years to complete. The garden features a classical style, with artificial hills and ponds creating a strolling-style landscape. It is also a well-known spot for both cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. During cherry blossom and foliage seasons, lighting is used in the evenings to offer a different kind of scenic experience from daytime.
Rikugien Garden. (Image source / banq)
● Mount Takao
Located in the suburbs of Tokyo, Mount Takao is situated within Hachioji City. It takes about an hour to get there from Shinjuku Station by train. The mountain is home to hundreds of plant and bird species, making it a very popular maple viewing destination in the Tokyo area.
Mount Takao. (Image source / guide.travel)
● National Showa Memorial Park
Accessible in just over 30 minutes from Shinjuku Station via a rapid train, the National Showa Memorial Park is a great choice if you want to avoid the crowds at more urban maple viewing spots. Dominated by ginkgo trees, the park’s 180 hectares not only offer rare openness and greenery within Tokyo, but renting a bicycle for a leisurely ride is also highly enjoyable.
Want to avoid the crowds at urban maple spots? Consider adding the National Showa Memorial Park to your list. (Image source / kouyou.nihon-kankou.or.jp)
● Meiji Jingu Gaien
In autumn, the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien is a widely renowned autumn scenic spot in Tokyo. The over 100 towering ginkgo trees lining both sides have made it a popular choice for locals during the fall season, often crowded on weekends and holidays.
The famous ginkgo avenue—the best time to visit is almost here. (Image source / kouyou.nihon-kankou.or.jp)
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