The best autumn leaves in Tokyo in 2026 are the golden ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien, the illuminated maples at Rikugien, Koishikawa Korakuen and Shinjuku Gyoen, and the forested slopes of Mt Takao. Showa Kinen Park's ginkgos, Todoroki Valley and Tonogayato Garden round out the list; color usually peaks from mid-November to early December.
Autumn color (koyo) in Tokyo arrives later than in the mountains, usually peaking from mid-November to early December. Ginkgos turn gold first; maples turn red a little later.
A golden tunnel of ginkgo trees.
Icho Namiki is an avenue of ginkgo trees that turns brilliant gold, leading to the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery.
A ginkgo festival with food stalls runs nearby.
Good to know: Go early morning before crowds.
1-1 Kitaaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0061
Red maples lit up after dark.
Rikugien's maples around its pond are illuminated in the evening in late autumn.
It is the most atmospheric autumn garden in Tokyo.
Good to know: Arrive at opening of the evening session.
6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021
Maples around an old daimyo garden.
Koishikawa Korakuen's maples color around its ponds and bridges.
The red Tsuten-kyo bridge is a highlight.
Good to know: Weekday mornings are quietest.
1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004
Plane trees, maples and ginkgos in one park.
Shinjuku Gyoen's varied gardens give a long autumn season, with plane-tree avenues, maples and ginkgos.
It is spacious and calm.
Good to know: Visit the Japanese garden for maples.
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
A forested mountain an hour from Shinjuku.
Mt Takao has trails and a cable car through forest that colors in November, with a temple near the top.
It is Tokyo's most popular hike.
Good to know: Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku and go on a weekday.
2177 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844
A huge park with ginkgo avenues.
Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa has golden ginkgo avenues, a Japanese garden and wide lawns.
It is a full day out.
Good to know: Rent a bike to cover the park.
3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014
A green ravine inside the city.
Todoroki Valley is a short wooded ravine with a stream and temple, Tokyo's only valley inside the 23 wards.
Its leaves turn in late November.
Good to know: Walk it from Todoroki Station.
1-22 Todoroki, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0082
A hillside garden of maples and springs.
Tonogayato Garden in Kokubunji is a hillside garden with spring-fed ponds and maples, especially lovely in autumn.
It is small and quiet.
Good to know: Combine with a walk in Kokubunji.
2-13 Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-0022
Usually mid-November to early December in the city, earlier on Mt Takao.
Icho Namiki at Meiji Jingu Gaien, near Aoyama-itchome and Gaienmae stations.
Rikugien holds evening illuminations of its maples in late November.
Yes, it is about an hour from Shinjuku and very popular in November; go on a weekday.
The Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival usually runs with food stalls under the trees.