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Akigawa Valley

Seasonal Series: Autumn Guide

Autumn Spots: Tokyo

We're covering some of the best hidden gems within the city to surround yourself in autumn leaves, walk rows of Gingko trees, or venture out for a day trip to some of the best nearby spots.

If you're coming later in the year you may be in luck as some of these spots will still have autumn foliage in December!

1. Akigawa Valley

2. Showa Kinen Park

3. Okutama

4. Gotokuji

5. Koishikawa Botanical Garden

6. Otaguro Park

7. Matsuchiyama Shoden

1. Akigawa Valley

2. Showa Kinen Park

3. Okutama

4. Gotokuji

5. Koishikawa Botanical Garden

6. Otaguro Park

7. Matsuchiyama Shoden

Where to Find Them

Akigawa Valley

How to get there:

By car: 90 minutes from Tokyo Station
By train: Take the Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Hajima Station, then take the Itsukaichi Line from Hajima Station to Musashi Itsukaichi Station (south exit) , then take 檜52 bus from to Jurigi and walk for 4 minutes

By car: 90 minutes from Tokyo Station
By train: Take the Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Hajima Station, then take the Itsukaichi Line from Hajima Station to Musashi Itsukaichi Station (south exit) , then take 檜52 bus from to Jurigi and walk for 4 minutes

Best time to visit: Early November to early December
Literally Autumn River in Japanese, this Tokyo spot couldn't get any clearer about when to visit in the name
It's hard to believe it is still in Tokyo in this hidden gateway
On your way back, stop by Seoto No Yu hot springs for a quick soak to warm up, or an ice cream to cool down and take in the last of the crisp autumn air before heading back into the city

Showa Kinen Park

Person in Showa Kinen Park during autumn

How to get there:

By foot: Approximately 20 minute walk from Tachikawa station (North Gate exit)

Best time to visit: Late October to late November
Entry fee: ¥450 for adults, ¥1,100 to ¥1,200 depending on the day for the inner garden light up
This expansive garden in western Tokyo has the best of both worlds, with rows of Ginko trees lining the entrance, to vibrant momiji leaves in the inner Japanese garden
Pack a picnic basket and spend the whole day there, people (and dog) watching for the most relaxing Tokyo autumn day!
Extend into the night with an illumination in the inner Japanese garden that almost feels like a park within the park itself

Okutama

How to get there:

By car: Approximately 2 hours from Tokyo Station
By train: Take the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Oku-Tama Station and walk for 2 minutes

By car: Approximately 2 hours from Tokyo Station
By train: Take the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Oku-Tama Station and walk for 2 minutes

Best time to visit: Late October to mid November
A surprisingly easy access retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo
For beginners, the trail between Okutama and Hatonasu station is mostly flat and is more of a stroll through the fall scenery rather than any real strenuous exercise. You can start your adventure from the Okutama Visitor Center
If you're willing to venture a little further afield, take a bus or drive out to the Mugiyama Floating Bridge to walk across the water! Check in advance as this floating bridge closes often depending on the weather conditions.

Best time to visit: Late October to mid November
A surprisingly easy access retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo
For beginners, the trail between Okutama and Hatonasu station is mostly flat and is more of a stroll through the fall scenery rather than any real strenuous exercise. You can start your adventure from the Okutama Visitor Center
If you're willing to venture a little further afield, take a bus or drive out to the Mugiyama Floating Bridge to walk across the water! Check in advance as this floating bridge closes often depending on the weather conditions.

Gotokuji

How to get there:

By car: Approximately 30 minutes from Tokyo Station and parking is available here
By public transport: Approximately 30 minutes from Shibuya or Shinjuku station and 45 minutes from Tokyo Station

By car: Approximately 30 minutes from Tokyo Station and parking is available here
By public transport: Approximately 30 minutes from Shibuya or Shinjuku station and 45 minutes from Tokyo Station

Best time to visit: Mid to late November
Known as the lucky cat (maneki neko) temple of Tokyo, this temple which boasts being the birth place of these lucky cats is particularly beautiful in the autumn months
You'll be hard pressed to find a luckier sight than the red autumn leaves with the red markings of the beckoning cats

Koishikawa Botanical Garden

Autumn foliage at Koishikawa Botanical Garden

How to get there:

By train: Take the Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Myogadani Station and walk for 15 minutes (exit 3)
From Shibuya, take the Hanzomon Line to Jimbocho Station then change to the Mita Line to Hakusan Station and walk for 12 minutes (exit A1)

By train: Take the Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Myogadani Station and walk for 15 minutes (exit 3)
From Shibuya, take the Hanzomon Line to Jimbocho Station then change to the Mita Line to Hakusan Station and walk for 12 minutes (exit A1)

Best time to visit: Late November to early December
Entry fee: ¥500
Associated with the iconic Tokyo university, this garden holds the honour of being the oldest botanical garden in Tokyo and one of the oldest in the entire world!
With over 1,400 plant species, it's no wonder that this is a prime spot to enjoy the autumn leaves, right in the heart of the city

Otaguro Park

How to get there:

By train: Take the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Ogikubo Station and walk for 6 minutes (south exit)

By train: Take the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Ogikubo Station and walk for 6 minutes (south exit)

Best time to visit: Late November to early December
Entry fee: Free during the day, but there may be a light up in late November (check their website for more details)
This traditional Japanese garden, complete with a teahouse is tucked away in a residential part of Tokyo
As soon as the leaves start turning, all the nearby residents will make their way over to this peaceful park where they are greeted with rows of Ginko, before being let into an inner sanctuary of red momiji

Best time to visit: Late November to early December
Entry fee: Free during the day, but there may be a light up in late November (check their website for more details)
This traditional Japanese garden, complete with a teahouse is tucked away in a residential part of Tokyo
As soon as the leaves start turning, all the nearby residents will make their way over to this peaceful park where they are greeted with rows of Ginko, before being let into an inner sanctuary of red momiji

Matsuchiyama Shoden

How to get there:

By foot: Approximately 12 minute walk from Asakusa Station (exit 5)

By foot: Approximately 12 minute walk from Asakusa Station (exit 5)

Best time to visit: Late November to early December
This temple is just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa and actually has a whole plethora of fascinating lore surrounding it
Most popularly known these days as the Japanese radish (daikon) temple, you'll find images of the daikon all around the temple and people will bring daikons as offerings to pray for good luck and health
In autumn, the Ginko lined temple is perfect for taking pictures in a kimono!

See our other guides for Autumn spots in Japan

Click to read

Kyoto & Surrounding

Best places to escape the crowds in Kyoto as well as nearby areas in Mie, Nagoya and Takayama

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Kyoto & Surrounding

Best places to escape the crowds in Kyoto as well as nearby areas in Mie, Nagoya and Takayama

Click to read

Tohoku

Some of the best spots to view autumn leaves in Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima and more!

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Tohoku

Some of the best spots to view autumn leaves in Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima and more!

Click to read

Central Japan

Perfect day or overnight trips from Tokyo to escape the city and immerse yourself in autumn beauty!

Click to read

Central Japan

Perfect day or overnight trips from Tokyo to escape the city and immerse yourself in autumn beauty!

Click to read

Tokyo

Hidden gems and the best spots in the city to see both Ginko trees and Momiji!

Click to read

Tokyo

Hidden gems and the best spots in the city to see both Ginko trees and Momiji!

Please note that this article is intended as a guide and for informational purpose only. All images and content are rights of Doko Discover Co., Ltd. and must not be used without permission.