Everyone comes to Tokyo for the cherry blossoms in spring. But the seasoned traveller knows Japan’s real secret: autumn.
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When the air turns crisp and the maples glow, Tokyo becomes a city of fire and light. Momijigari, or the centuries-old tradition of “leaf hunting”, isn’t just about spotting colour. It’s about slowing down, stepping off the pavement, and letting yourself be moved by a season that feels almost theatrical in its allure.
This guide is your key to discovering that deeper, more dramatic side of Tokyo’s natural beauty – a journey into the heart of a season that transforms the world’s biggest metropolis into a spectacular autumn wonderland.
Here, you’ll find the most stunning pockets of gold and crimson the city has to offer, from serene traditional gardens to vast parks just a short train ride away.
Hamarikyu Gardens
Set against the futuristic skyline of Shiodome’s skyscrapers, Hamarikyu Gardens offers a stunning contrast between old and new Tokyo. This former feudal lord’s estate features seawater ponds that rise and fall with the tide, and groves of golden ginkgo and deep red maple trees that frame views of modern architectural giants.
To truly appreciate the unique setting, stop at Nakajima no Ochaya, a traditional teahouse on an island in the main pond. Sipping matcha while looking out at the season’s transformation against the city skyline is an unforgettable experience.
The gardens are easily accessible, just a short walk from Shiodome and Shimbashi Stations.
Photos: Shusuke Murai
Rikugien Gardens
Considered by many to be one of Tokyo's most beautiful traditional gardens, Rikugien was designed in the Edo period to reflect scenes from classical Japanese poetry. Its true magic, however, comes alive after dark during its famous autumn nighttime illuminations.
Powerful lights turn the groves of Japanese maples into a glowing, magical tunnel of scarlet and gold, their fiery leaves reflecting perfectly on the still water of the central pond.
The event is incredibly popular, so it’s best to visit on a weekday evening to avoid the biggest crowds. The garden is a short walk from Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
Showa Memorial Park
While several Tokyo gardens offer beautiful illuminations, Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa is unique for showcasing a spectacular tale of two trees. The experience is a journey between two distinct worlds of color, both magically lit against the night sky.
First, you can walk the iconic Ginkgo Avenue, where towering trees are illuminated from below, creating a breathtaking tunnel of shimmering gold that feels both grand and surreal.
The atmosphere then shifts as you enter the traditional Japanese Garden. Here, the experience is more intimate and artful, with fiery maples brilliantly lit, casting a perfect, glowing reflection on the surface of the ponds.
This rare opportunity to witness both of autumn’s superstar trees in one dazzling display makes this park an essential visit, easily reached from Tachikawa Station.
Photos: Shusuke Murai
Machida Yakushi Park
For an authentic slice of suburban Tokyo life, escape the city centre and make your way to Machida Yakushi Park. This isn’t just a park; it’s the cultural heart of the neighbourhood, a beloved local treasure that offers a profound sense of peace.
The grounds are home to a historic Yakushi-do temple hall, and standing guard beside it is the park’s stunning centrepiece: a colossal, 500-year-old ginkgo tree. In autumn, this ancient giant transforms into a sacred, towering beacon of gold.
Standing beneath its sprawling branches as a brilliant carpet of leaves settles on the temple grounds is a genuinely inspiring experience.
For a delightfully quirky local experience, pair your visit with a stop at the nearby Machida Squirrel Garden.
Kinchakuda Manjushage Park
Just as the summer heat begins to fade, a spectacular event signals the true start of autumn in the scenic Hanno area of Saitama. For a fleeting few weeks in September, the forest floor of Kinchakuda Park erupts into an endless sea of crimson. This is the breathtaking bloom of five million red spider lilies (manjushage), a flower steeped in Japanese folklore.
Emerging on bare stems, the intricate red blossoms seem to float just above the ground, creating an unforgettable landscape that feels like stepping into another world.
To make it a full day trip, you can pair the experience with a crisp morning hike up the nearby Mount Tenranzan, which offers panoramic views and a more traditional “leaf hunting” experience through its colourful forest.
Photos: Shusuke Murai
Tsukinoishi Momiji Park
For the grand finale of your autumn leaf hunt, escape the city entirely and take a scenic train ride into the rugged mountains of Chichibu. Here, in the stunning Nagatoro river gorge, you’ll find Tsukinoishi Momiji Park, a place that feels like it was created solely for celebrating the Japanese maple.
To truly experience its magic, plan for a full day. Start your afternoon with a traditional wooden boat ride down the Arakawa River, drifting past dramatic rock formations and mountainsides ablaze with colour.
As dusk settles, make your way to the park. In November, it hosts a breathtaking illumination festival where hundreds of maple trees are lit up, creating a tunnel of living fire along the riverbank.
The sight of the glowing crimson leaves reflecting on the water’s surface in the crisp mountain air is an unforgettable, almost spiritual experience. It’s a short walk from Kami-Nagatoro Station and the perfect, dramatic conclusion to your Tokyo autumn adventure.
