12 Can’t-Miss Autumn Attractions in and Around Tokyo

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Fall in love with the fall foliage in Tokyo and the rest of the region! To see the streets lined up with orange and red-coloured trees, visit from the end of November to early December. Because of the great, cooler weather, it’s even more pleasant to walk around and explore the city and its surroundings.

If you plan to make the most of your trip, you can get around faster with Klook’s services. You can hire a private car charter if you want a more private experience, but you can commute with the locals via the subway. Or, you can take a sightseeing bus around the city!

Got your mode of transportation all planned? Make the most out of your autumn vacation in Tokyo with these things to do:

1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Photo credit: Josh Wilburne (@joshwilburne) on Unsplash

From its beginnings as a feudal lord's domain, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden later became the garden for the imperial family, nobles, and invited guests. Sprawling over a massive 144 acres, it features three distinct styles of gardens and a greenhouse with tropical and subtropical flora. It’s also home to the iconic pavilion featured in the acclaimed film The Garden of Words.

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2. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Photo credit: Scott Law (@milhouseil) on Unsplash

One of the oldest gardens in Tokyo, Koishikawa Korakuen dates back to as early as 1629 as it was originally part of the residence of the Mito branch of the Tokugawa clan. Just like typical strolling gardens, it has a central pond that has a path that leads around it. The West Gate of Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is a three-minute walk from Iidabashi Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

3. Inokashira Park

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Inokashira Park in Kichijoji is a year-round hit with families, thanks to an abundance of playground facilities and a small zoo on-site. In autumn, however, the star attraction is the colorful foliage, best admired from aboard one of the swan-shaped pedal boats on the lake. If you’re a Hayao Miyazaki fan, you can pay a visit to the famed Ghibli Museum in the park's southern area—advance ticket reservations are required.

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4. Hibiya Park

Photo credit: Mylène Larnaud (@mylenela) on Unsplash

Hibiya Park is Japan's first Western-style park that has seasonal flowers, Japanese-style landscaping, and cozy spots to relax. With Tokyo in fall, the red maples and golden ginkgo trees create warm reflections in the tranquil ponds. If you’re planning to go here, Hibiya Park is a two-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station on the Marunouchi Line or from Hibiya Station on the Hibiya Line.

5. Yoyogi Park

Photo credit: Yoav Aziz (@yoavaziz) on Unsplash

Yoyogi Park boasts one of Japan's most impressive shrines and woods made for walking or a place for relaxing and people-watching. There's an observation deck with great views of the park's forested area, which makes it a beautiful autumn spot in Tokyo. The quickest ways to get to Yoyogi Park are via Harajuku Stations on the JR Yamanote Line, Yoyogi-Koen Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. Book your subway ticket with Klook to get to this beautiful park!

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6. Showa Memorial Park

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Known for the many kinds of flowers that carpet its grounds and rows of ginkgo trees throughout the year, Showa Memorial park is also a beloved fall sightseeing spot. Spanning over 160 hectares, the park was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign. This is a perfect thing to do in Tokyo during the autumn season as you can enjoy and admire nature peacefully.

7. Ginkgo Avenue (Icho Namiki)

Photo credit: yamasa-n (@heppoko_yama) on Unsplash

Make sure to visit here while it’s autumn in Tokyo! Icho Namiki means “a row of ginkgo trees.” Ginkgo Avenue is located between the office buildings of Aoyama's business district and Meiji Jingu Gaien Park. It is a 300-meter-long street lined with two rows of ginkgo trees on either side that is kept immaculately trimmed until autumn (around November) when all the leaves turn a brilliant yellow.

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8. Rikugi-en

Photo credit: Zhipeng Ya (@zhipeng_ya) on Unsplash

The Rikugi-en Garden was created around 1700 as a strolling garden at the request of Japan's fifth shogun, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. It depicts 88 scenic spots that are in Kishu Wakanoura and from Japanese poems. In this beautiful garden, you can cross the rustic stone Togetsukyo Bridge as carp swim underneath. Then at night, you can explore the garden to see the gorgeous fall illuminations.

9. Mount Takao

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Less than an hour's train ride from central Tokyo, Mount Takao is a popular hiking destination. At the summit, you can get a view of the great Tokyo plain. You can also see the Yakuoin Temple and the monkey park with Japanese macaques! To get there from Shinjuku Station, take the semi-limited express train bound for Takaosanguchi on the Keio Line and then get off at Takaosanguchi Station.

10. Todoroki Valley

Photo credit: Sebastian Hages (@sebastianhages) on Unsplash

Venture through Tokyo's only valley, an approximately kilometer-long stretch of forests, waterfalls, and temples and shrines. Todoroki Valley is a dense forest oasis teeming with wildlife, the quaint Setsugetsuka cafe, and picturesque shrines! You can easily reach the valley by train, followed by a short walk. The Tokyu Oimachi Line will take you to Todoroki Station, which is 20 minutes away from central Tokyo.

11. Hikawa Valley

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Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by forest, Hikawa Valley is a sight that must be seen to be believed—especially in the fall when the leaves turn to fiery red and glowing yellows and oranges. For the best views, take a stroll around Okutama Lake, across the floating bridge, and through the valley. It’s also conveniently located near great attractions like Mount Mitake, Lake Okutama, and Okutamaonsen Moegi Hot Spring.

12. Mount Mitake (Mitake Gorge)

Photo credit: kaori kubota (@kuuuudoooo) on Unsplash

Along with Mount Takao, Mount Mitake is one of Tokyo's two most popular hiking destinations. Mount Mitake, perfect for beginners, tends to be less crowded and offers visitors a breathtaking and unspoiled landscape. At six to eight kilometers, the hike takes a total of three to four hours, and the summit reaches an elevation of 929 meters. This is best to visit during autumn in Tokyo as you can catch the leaves turning red!

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