紅葉 · Autumn Foliage

Tokyo Autumn Foliage Guide: Best Koyo Spots & Peak Timing

Late November is Tokyo's secret peak season — gold ginkgo, red maples, and clearer skies than spring

KoyoAutumnFoliagePhotography

Spring gets the headlines — cherry blossoms, hanami, the famous two-week peak — but autumn is arguably the better Tokyo season. The maples (momiji) turn red and the ginkgo trees (icho) turn gold across the city, the air gets dry and clear, and the photographs you take rarely have rain in them. Best of all, the foliage window is longer than cherry blossom season — Tokyo's koyo runs from mid-November through early December, with different species peaking on different weeks.

This guide covers when to come, where to go, and how to combine a Tokyo koyo trip with day trips out of the city. If you want the iconic autumn shots — the gold ginkgo tunnel, the red maples reflected in a temple pond — late November is your week.

When Is Tokyo's Autumn Peak?

Tokyo's koyo timing is later than most international visitors expect. The city is far enough south that the trees do not turn until late autumn.

Ginkgo (icho)Late November (~Nov 20–30)

Maple (momiji)Early December (~Dec 1–10)

Mountain koyo (Hakone, Nikko)Early-mid November

City vs mountainMountain peaks 2–3 weeks earlier

Exact dates vary year to year — late autumn warmth pushes peak later, cold snaps pull it earlier. The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes a koyo forecast each September; major travel sites in English (Japan Guide, Tokyo Cheapo) update predictions through October.

Best week to plan a trip: the last week of November is the safest bet — late ginkgo, early maple, autumn weather settled. December 1–10 is also strong if you can be flexible. Earlier than Nov 15 is too early for Tokyo city; you would need to be in the mountains to see colour.

Best Tokyo Foliage Spots

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue (Aoyama)

The single most-photographed autumn spot in Tokyo. About 150 ginkgo trees line a 300-metre avenue, peaking late November in a tunnel of gold. Free to walk through, often crowded on weekends.

• Best time: late November, late afternoon for golden hour glow.
• Access: a short walk from Aoyama-Itchome Station (Ginza, Hanzomon, Oedo lines).
• The Icho Festival happens in mid-late November on a side street with food stalls and crafts.
• Photo tip: the "tunnel" shot looks best from the south end of the avenue, looking north.

Rikugien Garden (Komagome)

One of Tokyo's most beautiful traditional gardens, with around 450 maple trees that turn deep red in late November. Famous for its night illumination — for two weeks each autumn, the garden stays open until 21:00 and the maples are lit dramatically against the central pond.

• Peak: late November to early December.
• Admission: ¥300 daytime, ¥300 evening. Separate tickets if you want both.
• Access: 7-minute walk from Komagome Station (Yamanote Line).
• Reservation: not required for daytime; required online for some night sessions on peak weekends.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

One of the oldest surviving Edo-era gardens (built 1629), next to Tokyo Dome. The Engetsukyo "full moon bridge" reflected in maple-edged water is an iconic photo. Maple peak is early December; the garden is much less crowded than Rikugien.

• Peak: late November to early December.
• Admission: ¥300.
• Access: 8-minute walk from Korakuen Station.

Showa Memorial Park (Tachikawa)

165 hectares of park 40 minutes west of Shinjuku, with two avenues of ginkgo trees totaling about 200 trees. The "Canadian Garden" maple section turns brilliant red in early December. Less crowded than central Tokyo because of the distance.

• Peak: ginkgo late November, maples early December.
• Admission: ¥450.
• Access: JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa, then a 10-minute walk or shuttle.

Mt. Takao

Tokyo's day-hike mountain. The colour starts around 600 metres and works its way down — peak ranges from mid-November (mountain top) to early December (base). Combine the hike with the cable-car ride and Yakuoin Temple at the summit. The full hike takes 90 minutes up; many visitors take the cable car (¥490).

• Peak: mid-late November.
• Access: Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosan-guchi, ~50 minutes.
• Cable car: ¥490 one way, ¥950 round trip.
• Crowds: avoid peak weekends — expect 60+ minutes wait for the cable car.

Inokashira Park (Kichijoji)

The lake-centered park near the Ghibli Museum. The maples around Inokashira Pond reflect beautifully on calm mornings. Peak early December.

Imperial Palace East Garden

Free entry, central location, and a beautiful variety of trees. The maple groves near the inner moat are subtle but worth the walk. Closed Mondays and Fridays.

Other Tokyo spots worth knowing

• Hama-rikyu Gardens (Shimbashi): traditional garden with autumn maples and a teahouse on a pond.
• Kyu-Furukawa Garden (Kita-ku): Western-style mansion garden with rose bushes still blooming alongside maples.
• Mt. Mitake: a deeper hike than Takao with pristine maple gorge — Mitake Gorge.
• Yoyogi Park: wide open lawns with scattered ginkgo and maple. Less iconic but good for picnicking.

Day Trips for Peak Foliage

Tokyo city peaks late, but day-trip destinations peak earlier. If you visit in November and want the most colour, head to the mountains.

Nikko (early-mid November)

Two hours north of Tokyo by Tobu Line. The Toshogu Shrine complex is dressed in maple and cedar. The Lake Chuzenji area at higher elevation peaks late October to early November. The Kegon Falls + autumn foliage combination is one of Japan's most-photographed scenes. Plan a full day or overnight.

Hakone (mid-late November)

90 minutes by Odakyu Romancecar. The Hakone Loop (ropeway, lake cruise, mountain railway) takes you through changing colour and Mt. Fuji views. Combine with onsen for a warm-up.

Kawaguchiko / Mt. Fuji area (late November)

The famous "five-storied pagoda + Mt. Fuji + autumn maple" composition is at Chureito Pagoda in Fujiyoshida — peak late November, very photographed in the morning. Book a hotel night; the early-light pagoda shot is one of Japan's iconic photos.

Karuizawa (mid-late October)

The mountain resort 60 minutes north on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Peaks earlier than central Tokyo, with cool weather, walking trails, and onsen.

Photography Tips for Koyo

• Golden hour is best for ginkgo gold — late afternoon, around 15:30–16:30 in November.
• Overcast days are surprisingly good for maples — saturated red without harsh shadows.
• Polarizing filter reduces glare on leaves and saturates colour.
• Wide angle for ginkgo tunnels (35mm or wider on full frame).
• Telephoto for compressed maple stacking (85–200mm).
• Night illumination at Rikugien etc. — high ISO + image stabilisation since tripods are usually banned.
• Reflection shots — pond gardens look best on still mornings before wind picks up.

What to Wear

November-December weather in Tokyo is cool but not cold. Daytime highs 12–17°C, evenings 5–10°C, occasional rain.

• Layers: long-sleeve + light sweater + light jacket. Add scarf for evenings.
• Comfortable shoes: garden walks involve gravel and stairs.
• Compact umbrella: light rain is common in late autumn.
• For mountain day trips: add a warmer jacket — Mt. Takao summit is 5°C cooler than Tokyo.

Combining Koyo with Other Autumn Experiences

Late November is also Japan's seasonal food window. Beyond looking at leaves:

• Persimmon (kaki) season: at fruit shops and depachika.
• Chestnut (kuri) season: kuri kinton at wagashi shops, mont blanc desserts everywhere.
• Sake brewery openings (kuramoto biraki): some breweries open to the public for the new sake batch in late autumn.
• New rice (shinmai): November's first new-harvest rice is a small culinary event.
• Hot pot (nabe): izakayas start serving sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and motsu-nabe.
• Seasonal beer: Yebisu Premium Black, Kirin Akiaji.

Practical Tips

• Garden hours: most close at 17:00 in November. Plan accordingly.
• Illumination events (Rikugien, Showa Memorial, Mt. Takao) have separate later hours and tickets.
• Avoid weekends if possible — autumn weekends bring as many crowds as cherry blossom weekends in central Tokyo.
• Cash for garden entries — most still take cash only at the gate.
• The forecast is unreliable until 2 weeks out — peak timing shifts year to year. Plan for a 2-week trip if peak timing is essential.

Sample Two-Day Koyo Plan (Late November)

Day 1 — Central Tokyo

1. Morning: Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue.
2. Lunch: Aoyama or Omotesando.
3. Afternoon: Rikugien Garden (daytime maples).
4. Dinner: Komagome local izakaya.
5. Evening: Rikugien illumination (separate evening ticket).

Day 2 — Day trip option

Pick one: Mt. Takao for hiking + cable car, OR Nikko for shrines + Lake Chuzenji, OR Kawaguchiko for the Chureito Pagoda + Mt. Fuji shot.

Pair with the Other Tokyo Seasons

Tokyo's two great seasons are autumn foliage and cherry blossoms. See our Tokyo Cherry Blossom Guide for spring planning, and our Best Day Trips from Tokyo for the mountain destinations that peak earlier in autumn.