Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 15, 2026
When is the most beautiful time of year for autumn foliage in Tokyo? Where should you go to see the best views? Tokyo's streets are typically ablaze with color from mid-November to early December. During this time, maple and ginkgo trees in the city center come into full bloom one after another. This article provides a clear and thorough explanation of popular spots for reflection photography, such as the ginkgo tree-lined avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien and the nighttime illuminations at Rikugien Garden, as well as a slightly longer trip to see the autumn foliage in Nikko, a World Heritage site, and luxurious accommodations in the surrounding area!
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Tokyo's autumn foliage is appealing because it offers a wide variety of scenery, from vast parks harmonizing with modern buildings and historic Japanese gardens to the vast natural landscapes of the suburban mountains. Furthermore, thanks to its extensive network of rail access, you can efficiently visit multiple famous spots even with a limited number of travel days.
| Item | Key Points | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| The peak of autumn foliage in Tokyo | Mid-November to early December | Ginkgo trees change color a little earlier than maple trees. |
| Representative spots in the city center | Meiji Jingu Gaien, Rikugien Garden | The fantastical nighttime illumination of Rikugien Garden is a must-see. |
| Recommended routes in the surrounding area | Autumn leaves in Nikko | It reaches its peak a little earlier, around mid-to-late October. |
| Must-see breathtaking scenery | A tunnel shining with a golden light | Ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Meiji Jingu Gaien, Showa Memorial Park, etc. |
| Limited-time light-up event | Rikugien Garden, Showa Memorial Park | Special nighttime opening held for a limited time in autumn |
The ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Gaien is one of the most famous and iconic sights of autumn in Tokyo. The golden tunnel stretching for approximately 300 meters attracts countless tourists every year and has become a hugely popular photo spot on social media. In late November, a yellow carpet spreads underfoot, and the popular "Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival" is held in the surrounding area. It's an absolute must-see spot for any autumn trip to Tokyo, guaranteed to be photogenic.
Official website: https://www.meijijingugaien.jp/
This elegant strolling garden, built during the Edo period, is a magnificent daimyo garden. The nighttime illumination, held only during the autumn season, beautifully reflects the vibrant autumn leaves on the calm surface of the pond, creating an overwhelmingly fantastical beauty that is said to be the pinnacle of nighttime autumn foliage viewing in Tokyo. It is also very popular as a date spot for couples. It gets crowded on weekends, so it is recommended to visit on weekdays, right after the lights come on. At the tea house in the garden, you can enjoy a refined moment savoring matcha tea and Japanese sweets while admiring the beautiful garden.
Official website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/
This vast national park in Tachikawa City boasts stunning ginkgo tree-lined canals and picturesque maple trees in a Japanese garden, making it a must-see. Its spacious grounds make it ideal for family picnics or leisurely cycling while enjoying the autumn foliage. The two ginkgo tree-lined avenues, reaching their peak in late November, provide a perfect backdrop for family photos.
Located in the heart of the bustling metropolis of Shinjuku, this urban oasis offers a tranquil escape the moment you step inside. The expansive grounds feature a Japanese garden, an English landscape garden, and a French formal garden, with a beautiful interplay of various trees including maple, oak, plane tree, and ginkgo. Easily accessible on foot from Shinjuku Station, a major transportation hub, it's a precious green paradise where you can casually drop in between shopping and dining to fully enjoy Tokyo's autumn.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a historic and renowned garden in Tokyo, built in 1629 by Yorifusa, the founder of the Mito Tokugawa family, within his Edo residence. It features a design incorporating Chinese culture and landscapes, and in autumn, the area around the pond is dyed in vibrant reds and yellows. Meanwhile, Mount Takao, located about an hour by train from central Tokyo, is a popular mountain boasting the world's highest number of hikers. From the summit, on clear days, you can see snow-capped Mount Fuji in the distance, and from mid-November to early December, the entire mountain is enveloped in fiery autumn foliage.
Mount Takao Official Website: https://www.takaosan.or.jp/
The Oku-Nikko area of Nikko is home to many beautiful natural landscapes. Around Lake Chuzenji, which is at a high altitude, the area is surrounded by a fiery gradient of red and yellow in autumn. The contrast between Kegon Falls, one of Japan's three great waterfalls with a drop of 97 meters, and the autumn foliage is breathtaking. Due to its excellent climate and beauty, it was a popular summer retreat for many foreign diplomats from the Meiji to the early Showa period. During the autumn foliage season, sightseeing boats operate, allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views from the lake.
Nikko Tourism Navi Official Website: https://www.nikko-kankou.org/
This scenic drive connects Nikko city center and Oku-Nikko, featuring 48 sharp curves. Due to the significant elevation difference, you can enjoy watching the autumn foliage change color from your car window as you ascend the slopes. The view from the Akechidaira Observatory, overlooking the vast sea of autumn leaves as far as the eye can see, is a breathtaking sight worthy of being the highlight of any road trip or rental car adventure.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a magnificent landscape where the vermilion-lacquered shrine buildings, adorned with opulent carvings, blend seamlessly with the vibrant autumn foliage of the surrounding trees, embodying the traditional beauty and solemnity of Japan. Every year, from late October to mid-November, during the autumn foliage season, a special nighttime illumination event is held, allowing visitors to experience a different, more fantastical and majestic view of the shrine compared to the daytime.
Official website: https://toshogu.jp/
Located in the beautiful Nasu Highlands of northern Tochigi Prefecture, this is a top-class glamping facility where every unit is equipped with authentic private amenities. Each guest room dome is equipped with a natural hot spring bath boasting excellent water quality, a private sauna, a cold water pool, and a fire pit to create a bonfire atmosphere at night. In autumn, you can enjoy the ultimate relaxation time while having the beautiful autumn foliage all to yourself. For your enjoyable dinner, we offer a BBQ set, steak, or sukiyaki using the locally proud premium brand of Wagyu beef, "Nasu Kogen Wagyu." After dinner, spend a special autumn evening in your private room, enjoying board games and other activities with your loved one.
Nestled in Nasu, blessed with beautiful nature throughout the seasons and renowned hot springs, this luxury villa is surrounded by forest. In addition to natural hot springs, private open-air baths in the rooms, and private pools, it is also equipped with a private sauna and kitchen space, allowing you to spend your time as you please indulge in luxury. For dinner, you can fully enjoy local brand wagyu beef such as Nasu Kogen Wagyu sirloin, Nasu Kogen Wagyu shoulder loin, and Tochigi Wagyu.
Located just a 90-minute drive from central Tokyo, this luxurious, secluded accommodation is surrounded by nature and boasts excellent accessibility. All guest rooms are equipped with private open-air baths where you can enjoy a luxurious soak while admiring the vibrant autumn foliage. For dinner, a lavish BBQ is served, featuring an abundance of carefully selected high-quality ingredients from Tochigi Prefecture, allowing you to savor Tochigi beef fillet, juicy pork loin, and more in the privacy of your own space. After dinner, you can work out at the on-site fitness gym, or enjoy complimentary welcome drinks at the management building (center house) and delicious soft-serve ice cream made with fresh, locally produced Tochigi milk—all highly popular services.
When photographing autumn leaves, it's best to aim for "early morning" or "evening" when the sunlight shines in at an angle. By being mindful of backlighting (shooting towards the light), the beautiful, translucent red of the maple leaves will be emphasized. When photographing ginkgo tree-lined streets such as Gaien, try to create depth by being mindful of symmetry (left-right symmetry) from near the middle of the road to highlight the grandeur of the endless golden tunnel. Also, unfortunately, "cloudy days" are actually excellent opportunities to photograph the autumn leaves themselves, as shadows are less pronounced, resulting in the deepest and most vivid colors. When photographing maple leaves at night, firmly hold your smartphone or camera and set the sensitivity (ISO) low to beautifully capture the "reflection" (inverted autumn leaves) on the surface of the moat or pond.
You can fully experience the feeling of autumn through the food, from the cute ginkgo-leaf-shaped Japanese sweets you can enjoy at cafes around Meiji Jingu Gaien, to Nikko's specialty "yuba" (tofu skin) dishes, and rich matcha sweets. A steaming hot bowl of soba noodles enjoyed in the slightly chilly autumn air is incredibly comforting. At the end of your trip, why not buy some maple leaf-shaped sweets (such as momiji manju) or autumn-limited Japanese sweets as souvenirs for family and friends?
A. Yes, you can definitely enjoy it! If you have limited time, focus on easily accessible central Tokyo areas. A daytime stroll along the ginkgo tree-lined avenue of Meiji Jingu Gaien and an evening visit to see the nighttime illuminations at Rikugien Garden will allow you to experience the highlights of autumn in Tokyo in just one day. If you have two or more days, the best plan is to spend one day in central Tokyo and the other day venturing out to the Nikko area, where magnificent natural landscapes unfold.
A. No, many of Tokyo's major autumn foliage spots are within easy walking distance from the nearest station, making them safe and enjoyable even for families with elderly members. In particular, Showa Memorial Park has a convenient park train that runs through the park, allowing you to travel at your own pace. Autumn evenings can get chilly, so be sure to bring a warm jacket and take frequent breaks at cafes and other places while you enjoy your visit.
Mid-November in central Tokyo is the golden age of autumn foliage, with ginkgo and maple trees changing color all at once. In addition to routes that include "Meiji Jingu Gaien" and "Rikugien's Night Maple Leaves," if you extend your trip to "Nikko," which reaches its peak in mid-to-late October, you can experience the beautiful autumn of Japan all at once. Make smart use of various discounted one-day passes and sightseeing passes to efficiently visit everything from the oasis of central Tokyo to the great outdoors of Oku-Nikko. For an even more fulfilling autumn trip, instead of a day trip, stay at a luxurious glamping facility such as "Glamping B&V Nasu Kogen" or "Bettei Shiki" located in the Nasu or Sano area near Tokyo, and enjoy a luxurious night surrounded by a sky full of stars and beautiful autumn leaves!
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
