Tokyo in autumn: fall colours, crisp air and fewer crowds
Tokyo in autumn, October to early December.
Autumn is many locals' favourite: crisp blue afternoons, comfortable temperatures, and the gardens turning red and gold through late November. It has much of what spring offers, the beauty and the good weather, with a little more room and slightly saner prices.
What to do in Tokyo in autumn
The fall colour (koyo) peaks from mid-November into early December. The gardens are the place to see it: Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen, the grounds around Ueno, and the ginkgo avenues near Tokyo Station and Meiji Jingu Gaien. It is also ideal weather for long neighbourhood walks in Yanaka and along the Nakameguro canal.
Tokyo in autumn: frequently asked questions
When do the autumn leaves peak in Tokyo?
In central Tokyo the fall colour usually peaks from mid-November into the first days of December, later than most of Japan because the city stays warmer. Late November is the safest bet for the gardens.
Is autumn a good time to visit Tokyo?
Many people, locals included, think it is the best: crisp weather, beautiful gardens, fall colour and slightly smaller crowds than spring. If you want the beauty without the peak-season crush, come in November.
Where are the best autumn leaves in Tokyo?
The classic gardens, Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen, plus Ueno Park, the Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue and the moat gardens near the Imperial Palace. Evenings at some gardens include special light-ups in peak season.