Top Spots to See Autumn Foliage in Tokyo and Yokohama
When autumn sets in, Tokyo and Yokohama glow up with their yellow, orange, and red leaves. If you visit these great cities in autumn to watch the changing of the foliage, there are many attractive places to take in the scenic beauty of the season.
This changing color can be viewed in various locations, such as parks, historic gardens, riversides, and mountain trails.
Whether you like nature and photography or just like to see the beauty of the Japanese autumn, if you are wondering, “where to find autumn foliage near me?”, then our guide has you covered for the best places to see autumn leaves in Tokyo and Yokohama!
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Foliage in Japan
1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Tokyo)
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most popular places in autumn Tokyo to see the changing of leaves. This vast garden contains elements reminiscent of both French and English gardens and elements of a classic Japanese garden, and it creates a beautiful atmosphere at the onset of the fall.
During November, the maple and the ginkgo trees provide quite a distinguishable hue of red and yellow, respectively. The garden has ponds and bridges, and the overall view gives an impression of serenity that would calm the mind while walking around.
Entrance Fee: 500 JPY
Wanting even more? Head to our blog to find things to do in Shinjuku!
2. Rikugien Garden (Tokyo)
Rikugien Garden is an authentic Japanese garden that was constructed during the Edo period. Famous for the beautiful weeping cherry trees, especially in spring as the town goes green, it is equally picturesque during autumn.
The garden includes a large pond in the center, spacious surrounding hills, and beautiful tracks for strolls. During the autumn, many maples and other trees reflect in the pond, making it very beautiful to look at.
Like many other places in Japan, Rikugien also has night tours; however, during autumn, the garden displays its beauty the most during the evening time.
3. Meiji Jingu Gaien (Tokyo)
The area is most noted for its avenue with beautiful ginkgo trees. In the autumn Tokyo season, the ginkgo trees shed their leaves, which turn radiant gold, creating a tunnel of yellow.
Photographers especially cherish this destination since the yellow leaves contrasting with the blue sky make the pictures look great. Taking a walk down the avenue is a great tradition, and it should be performed by every tourist visiting Tokyo in autumn.
4. Mount Takao (Tokyo)
For those travelers who are interested in hiking, this spot is perfect for viewing the beautiful autumn landscape right at Mount Takao. Mount Takao is a very popular place for a day trip as it is only around an hour’s drive away from central Tokyo.
The entire mountain is filled with deciduous trees that turn bright red, orange, and yellow in the fall. There are several trails that anyone can take to the top of the mountain, where they will see autumn scenery and have a nice view of the surrounding environment.
You can learn more about the mountain range by clicking here.
5. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (Tokyo)
This park is one of the oldest and most picturesque parks in Tokyo. This garden is from the Edo period, and it has a pond in the center with paths that visitors follow as they get to see different views.
During autumn, the garden has maple trees with shades of red and orange on the leaves, giving the best reflections on the water. This is an environment free from noise and pollution since it is a garden, which gives one the feeling of being away from the city.
6. Showa Kinen Park (Tokyo)
Showa Kinen Park is one of the biggest parks and it is situated in Tachikawa which is just outside Tokyo. The park is famous for its flowers, and during autumn, one can see how many trees in the park turn yellow, orange, and red.
The park has many ginkgo trees that evoke the golden paths in the middle and a Japanese garden full of varieties of maple trees. Visitor attractions also include autumn festivals and events that are held in the park.
7. Sankeien Garden (Yokohama)
Sankeien Garden is one of the most popular Japanese gardens built in Yokohama, Japan. The traditional Japanese garden established in 1600 has an artificial lake connecting to a pond, a stone path, and several structures which were transported and reconstructed in the park from various parts of Japan.
The beautiful red and orange leaves of the maple trees and other trees in the garden are particularly visible during autumn. Because of its splendid appearance and a calm environment, the garden is uniquely suitable to see autumn and its beauty.
Entrance Fee: 700 JPY
It is important to be respectful of these cultural sites, especially with garbage disposal. If you are confused about the guidelines in Japan, take a look at our blog where we go through the complete garbage disposal guide in Japan!
8. Yamashita Park (Yokohama)
Yamashita Park is a park found on the coast of what is known as the Yahata area of Yokohama. The park provides a scenic view of the city, especially the bay side of Tokyo and Yokohama, and its foliage turns red and yellow during autumn.
The relatively large lawns and flower beds within the park are fascinating and double up as areas for people to lay picnics and stroll. One can see autumn foliage from the Hikawa Maru, the ocean liner built in 1937, which is now moored nearby.
9. Negishi Forest Park (Yokohama)
Negishi Forest Park is a large park with large forest areas but has many open spaces and vantage points. During autumn, there are varieties of trees within the park that shed their leaves, including maples and ginkgo trees.
The park has trails lined with trees, good for a nice, calm walk while enjoying the site and watching the leaves turn orange. There is also a colonial horse racing track and a stunning rose garden that also forms part of the park’s attractions.
10. Minato Mirai 21 (Yokohama)
The Minato Mirai 21, a modern bay area of Yokohama, is famous for its contemporary buildings and lively pace of life with numerous business and entertainment facilities.
Despite the skyscrapers and busy traffic days, you will have several places to view the autumn colors. You can see autumn trees of different types around Kishamichi Promenade and the waterfront parks where trees are colored in red, orange, and yellow during autumn.
It paints a beautiful picture of yellow and red leaves in contrast with the architecture of futuristic structures and the glistening waters of Yokohama Bay, thus presenting a wonderful opportunity to view the autumn leaves. There are also many restaurants and shops, making it perfect for even more activities.
Still want to explore further? Check out: How to Enjoy Yokohama in Fall.
The Final Word - See Autumn Foliage in Real Life!
Both Tokyo and Yokohama provide many areas where people can come to see autumn and its beautiful scenery with the brilliant autumn leaves. It ranges from centuries-old gardens to modern parks, from mysterious mountains to neon-lit cities. With this article, we hope we have answered your question of, “where do I find autumn leaves near me?”.
Whether you enjoy a calm walk in a park or a strenuous climb up the mountain, these cities offer countless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the autumn season.
If you’re impressed by these breathtaking sights and want to discover them in person, the perfect opportunity of working part-time with OCE as an English Conversation Teacher awaits you!
So, avail the opportunity and dive into the warm colors and the peacefulness of autumn in Tokyo and Yokohama. Do please note, that some of these parks have an entry fee ranging from 300 - 700 yen, and it’s subject to change. We recommend that you look up the price before planning your visit.
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