A beautiful Tokyo autumn. 5 spots you can go by train to see autumn leaves

photo by kiai

A sky so clear it’s transparent, a park decorated with bright red autumn leaves, and a yellow Gingko tunnel. Welcome to a beautiful Tokyo autumn! Japan has four seasons ‘spring’, ‘summer’, ‘autumn’, and ‘winter’,where you can savor the flavors of each season. This time is ‘scenes of a Tokyo autumn’. Here’s an introduction to the autumn leaves viewing spots you can get to by train from Tokyo. Don’t forget your scarf and coffee.

Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens autumn leaves

In autumn, the Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens are covered in yellow, becoming a popular date spot. Being a famous movie location, you too can feel like an actress when walking down the tree-lined street. There are benches here and there so you can slowly stroll through. A must-see is in front of the art gallery.

Best time: End of November ~ Beginning of December
Location: Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Kasumigaoka-cho1-1
Nearest station: Chuo-Sobu Line Shinanomachi Station

An illuminated Japanese garden Rikugien

Rikugien, a famous landmark location of Tokyo’s autumn leaves. You can enjoy matcha green tea while looking at the autumn leaves, in a tea room located in one corner of the park. Autumn leaves during the day are amazing, but the illuminated garden at night is downright fantastic! When it’s still light out relax with some matcha green tea, and at night enjoy the illuminated autumn Rikugien.

Best time: Late November ~ Beginning of December
Location: Tokyo Bunkyo-ku Honkomagome 6
Nearest Station: Yamanote Line-Nanboku Line Komagome Station

Autumn leaves with sweets in hand Todoroki Gorge

The one and only gorge in all of the 23 precincts of Tokyo,’Todorokikeikoku’. It is a city oasis that is only 20 minutes from Shibuya. It is a spot that exceeds expectations in terms of the amount of negative ions it possesses. The sweets tea house located on the promenade has a nice touch as well. Listening to the water with sweets in one hand, while watching autumn leaves. It is possible to experience a luxurious moment of autumn while still being in Tokyo.

Best time: Mid November ~ Beginning of December
Location: Tokyo Setagaya-ku Todoroki 1-22
Nearest station: Tokyu Oimachi Line Todoroki Station

Autumn leaves seen from a boat Inokashira Park

A popular date spot in Tokyo, ’Inokashira Park’. Though not really known, autumn in Inokashira Park is really nice too. It is pretty unique to see the autumn landscape from a boat. Even if you get bored of the autumn leaves, there’s lots to enjoy, like street performances, beer, or feeding the carp.

Best time: Late November ~ Beginning of December
Location: Tokyo Mushashino-city Gotenyama 1-18-31
Nearest Station: Keio Inokashira Line Inokashira Koen Station

Autumn leaves while hikingMt Takao

An hour by train from the city center is Mt Takao, the mountain with the most climbers in the world. The recommendedthings to see are the cable car and the area around the summit. You can reach the summit by walking just 2 hours so wouldn’t it be nice to be able to enjoy the autumn leaves while hiking?

Best time: Mid November ~ Mid November
Location: Tokyo Hachiouji City Takao machi
Nearest Station: Keio Line Takaosan-guchi Station

In closing

How was it? There are many places within Tokyo where you can feel autumn up close, right? A little trip on a day off. How about a little autumn excursion?