Visiting Tokyo in autumn can be very rewarding, not only because of its beautiful parks and gardens but also for fun things to see and do. Are you interested in exploring its top sightseeing destinations this autumn?
Leaves change their color across Tokyo from as early as late-October all the way through early December. Peak season is generally considered to be the end of November to early December.
If you are not sure how to plan a trip to Tokyo in autumn, then follow this suggested itinerary that we are going to share with you here in this article, and we hope you will have a very good time in and around Tokyo this coming autumn foliage season.
Day 1 – Explore the places around Asakusa
Asakusa is my favorite area to stay in Tokyo. Instead of staying around Shinjuku or Shibuya, you should stay your nights in the Asakusa area of Tokyo city. Located within a walking distance of Kuramae Station on the Oedo Subway Line, this hotel in Asakusa is where I stay whenever I travel to Tokyo.
When you are in Asakusa, be sure to spend your morning time by taking a leisurely stroll along the Sumida River Walk (Part of Sumida Park). This area is home to some of the most beautiful views of Tokyo Skytree, Japan’s tallest tower at 634 meters.
As you walk along the river, you will have great photo opportunities of Tokyo Skytree, Sumida River, and trains crossing the bridge over the Sumida River.
After spending a good time walking along the river, head towards the iconic Sensoji Temple. This is one of the best temples in Tokyo that you must visit and explore. Sensoji, the ancient Buddhist temple, is a must on any Tokyo itinerary, so explore each temple building, including the 5 story pagoda, garden, statues, gates, and halls you see there.
Another interesting attraction in Asakusa is Nakamise Shopping Street. This approximately 250m long approach leads you to the temple complex of Sensoji, filled with shops of different kinds. You will find many shops selling cute souvenirs and street foods.
Want to ride a rickshaw in Tokyo? There is no better place to enjoy this sort of popular cultural experience than in Asakusa. It is a fun and great way to explore the neighborhood of charming Asakusa and interact with a local guide.
Your next stop is Tokyo Skytree! Watch the amazing sunset views from the observation decks of Tokyo Skytree. In fact, the view from the top is absolutely gorgeous no matter which direction you stare at.
Wondering how to get to Tokyo Skytree from Sensoji Temple? Read this page and see the Skytree Shuttle timetable.
Day 2 – Enjoy a Day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko to see the Majestic Mount Fuji
Today you will be heading to Yamanashi Prefecture either by bus or train, where you will visit some nice spots to enjoy the views of Mount Fuji.
The main attractions are: Chureito Pagoda, and Oishi Park.
To access Lake Kawaguchiko, you should take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train from Shinjuku Station. It is faster, with no transfers needed to reach the stop.
Get off when the train makes a stop at Shimoyoshida Station. From there, you will have to walk for a while to reach the observation platform of the Chureito Pagoda, part of Arakura Sengen Shrine. The views up from there are incredible, with Mount Fuji in the background.
Spend a couple of hours there before you continue your journey to Oishi Park, located on the north shore of Kawaguchiko. This beautiful park features stunning views of the lake and Mount Fuji in the distance.
Discover the scenery and take pictures of the surroundings. You can enjoy your meal at Oishi Park Café while gazing at the snow-capped Mt. Fuji!
We hope that the day you visit Lake Kawaguchiko is sunny and you can see Mount Fuji clearly. You can check out these live cams to see if the mountain is visible.
If you have enough time to travel a little longer, then get off at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum Bus Stop as you depart from Oishi Park. From there, take a short walk to reach the site of the Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, which takes place from late October to late November every year.
This is one of the best places around Lake Kawaguchiko to take photos of the amazing view of Mt. Fuji and gorgeous autumn leaves.
If you fail to catch the last train of the Fuji Excursion, be sure to get back to Tokyo by direct highway bus. It is convenient and cheaper.
Day 3 – Visit Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa and Akihabara in Chiyoda
Today you will enjoy a day trip from Tokyo. Explore Tachikawa’s most popular park, called Showa Memorial Park or Showa Kinen Park. It is the largest park in Tokyo!
Take the Chuo Line from JR Shinjuku Station and get off at Tachikawa Station. From there, take a walk for about 15-20 minutes to reach the park.
Many locals and foreign tourists flock to this massive park for autumn color viewing every autumn. Here, the leaves begin to change colors in late October and peak in mid-November through the last week of November.
In autumn, rows of Ginkgo trees in the park will definitely make your trip unforgettable. Roam around the park on a bike, which you can rent for a fee. Alternatively, just use your feet and see how far you can go and discover.
Note that the park was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa’s reign.
If you plan on visiting Akihabara, today is the right time to do it. Whether you are a fan of anime and manga or not, a trip to Akihabara is worth your time and it will help you experience the otaku culture of Japan.
In Akihabara, you will find plenty of electronic and otaku goods sold by various stores across the neighborhood. You can also visit a maid café and enjoy food and live performances by adorable maids wearing cute dresses.
Day 4 – Enjoy a Day in Central Tokyo
There is so much to do in autumn in Tokyo. You can see beautiful autumn colors everywhere, but some places are quite extraordinary. Today you will explore some of the best sightseeing attractions in Central Tokyo, including autumn leaves spots and historical attractions.
The places you will visit are: Yasukuni Jinja, Kitanomaru Park, The Imperial Palace East Gardens, Hibiya Park, Zojoji Temple, and Tokyo World Trade Center Building.
Yasukuni Jinja is one of Tokyo’s best shrines to visit. The large torii gate of this shrine, known as Daiichi Torii will impress you a lot! This is one of the largest torii gates in Tokyo. The shrine was built in 1869 to commemorate the war veterans who fought for the Emperor of Japan.
Next to the shrine is the beautiful Kitanomaru Park. Enjoy the impressive autumn nature, history, and culture in this public park in Chiyoda Ward.
Most of the trees at Kitanomaru are ablaze with autumn colors in early December. Those who visit the Imperial Palace must pay a visit to this wonderful park and appreciate the gorgeous fall foliage.
Besides, if you want to learn about Japanese culture, then take the time to visit the Science Museum or National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
It takes time to see everything that the Imperial Palace offers, so to save your time, my suggestion to you is – spend an hour or more just roaming around the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Situated on Edo Castle’s ruins, this fascinating attraction features moats, entrance gates, lawns, walls, pond, and a Japanese style garden.
Have lunch at one of the restaurants located near JR Tokyo Station before heading towards Hibiya Park. Note that there are many restaurants and cafes you can find around Tokyo Station and Marunouchi.
Hibiya Park is a popular place to enjoy a walk and admire the autumn colors in Central Tokyo. When you are traveling around Chiyoda, it is worth a visit, especially in the autumn when the leaves change colors vividly. Take a peaceful stroll and experience the red maples and golden ginkgo tree!
Continue your walk to JR Tokyo Station and hop on a train to reach Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line. It is a short train ride. From Hamamatsucho Station, head over to Tokyo World Trade Center Building.
The building has an observation deck, from where visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Tokyo. The view of the iconic Tokyo Tower is particularly amazing from the observation deck. If you are looking for a perfect place to take pictures of Tokyo Tower, this is the place you must visit.
Day 5 – Visit Rikugien Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Shrine, and Harajuku
The above places can be accessed by JR Yamanote Line. So, instead of using the subways today, you should use this JR Line. If you have a JR pass, then enjoy a day with free rides on the trains along the Yamanote Line.
Rikugien Garden is your first stop on the third day of the 7 days in Tokyo itinerary. This is a beautiful Japanese landscape garden, which was built around 1500 by Japan’s fifth shogun, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. This garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen is often considered the most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens.
It is home to many maple trees. If you are seeking a place to see red maple leaves in abundance, consider taking a trip to Rikugien Garden. It does provide some of the best foliage scenes every autumn in Tokyo.
Offering spectacular views of autumn leaves, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the best places to visit in Tokyo in autumn. After spending your time at Rikugien Garden, move to Shinjuku Station by train, and then take a walk to Shinjuku Gyoen.
This spacious park in the Shinjuku area boasts an amazing display of cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn. You have to walk a lot in order to explore the entire park. Get ready to witness plenty of autumn’s most attractive shades as you take a stroll around and enjoy the fresh air.
Continue your today’s trip towards the famous Meiji Shrine. You have to get off at Harajuku Station from Yoyogi Station/Shinjuku Station. You must visit this sort of historical landmark in Tokyo, especially when you travel around Shinjuku.
The giant torii gates, the shrine wooden buildings, and the gates will make your trip worthwhile. Enjoy the surrounding views and take your photos.
Your next destination is Harajuku, particularly the Takeshita dori, which is known for its fashion. Harajuku is located between Shinjuku and Shibuya. This popular shopping street is a 400-meter-long narrow pathway filled with boutique stores selling trendy clothing and food outlets to try a variety of street food.
Note that Harajuku is one of the perfect places in Tokyo to buy a souvenir to take home. Spend the rest of the evening exploring this neighborhood, or if you are interested in spending your time exploring Tokyo’s nightlife, you should head to Roppongi.
Day 6 – Visit Inokashira Park and Koishikawa Korakuen
Inokashira Park is another renowned autumn leaves viewing spot in Tokyo. It is a 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo Line.
Consider traveling to the park in the third week of November. Though if you go there in the fourth week of November, the vibrant shades of autumn foliage will still impress you a lot.
Opened in 1917, even though Inokashira Park is considered one of the top 10 sakura spots in Tokyo, the autumn leaves there are incredibly mesmerizing. Take a leisurely stroll in the park, especially around the pond, where you will find many maple trees.
Feel its pleasant nature and relaxing atmosphere, as you walk around the park and discover a shrine, known as the Benzaiten shrine. Visitors can also spend a good time by renting a paddle boat, swan boat, or rowboat on the pond.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Ghibli Museum, which is located in the southern area of the park. If you have enjoyed watching Hayao Miyazaki’s anime films, then you must explore this museum.
Please note that an advance ticket reservation is necessary to enter the museum.
Next up is Koishikawa Korakuen! Similar to Rikugien Garden, this is also a famous Japanese landscape garden visited by many tourists and locals alike year-round, especially during the koyo season (late November-early December). The park is a 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station.
It was built in 1692 by Tokugawa Yorifusa. Being one of the oldest and best Japanese gardens, it attracts thousands of visitors during the hanami in spring, and in autumn when they want to catch a glimpse of the brilliant foliage in late November.
Discover its beautiful stone paths, bridges, ponds, and different kinds of plants.
In the evening, you may go back to the Sensoji Temple to see its night views. The atmosphere it creates after all those shops along Nakamisedori Street get closed is quite different and relaxing with fewer crowds visiting the temple.
Day 7 – Visit Ueno Park, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Tokyo National Museum, Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, and Shibuya
On the final day, we suggest visiting places like Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, and Jingu Gaien Gingko Avenue. And if your time permits, then you may think of visiting Shibuya in the evening.
Spectacular views of cherry blossoms and autumn foliage make this city park a famous tourist attraction. This is a spacious park where you can easily avoid the crowds and find a place to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery.
When you are in Ueno Park, there are two iconic landmarks that you must explore: the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Toshogu Shrine. The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Japanese arts, including roughly a hundred national treasures.
Tokyo National Museum is the oldest museum in Japan, where the first exhibition took place in 1872. So, be sure to wonder around for awhile and discover those important national treasures that the nation is proud of.
On the other hand, a walk along the stone path to Ueno Toshogu Shrine is needed a great experience. You will be impressed to see several rows of stone and copper lanterns as you walk to the main shrine building. The shrine was built in 1627 to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616).
The five-story pagoda that you see as you approach the shrine is actually located inside Ueno Zoo. This is an impressive pagoda of Kanei-ji Temple, which was built in 1631 and later donated to Toshogu Shrine.
The original version of the pagoda was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1639. In fact, this is the pagoda that remains today in Ueno Zoo, nearby Toshogu Shrine. It is photogenic, no doubt about that.
Visit the following places in the Afternoon and evening
The most visited destination in Tokyo in autumn from late November through early December is Jingu Gaien Gingko Avenue, part of Meiji Jingu Gaien Park. This approximately 300-meter-long avenue is home to about 146 ginkgo trees that turn a brilliant golden color!
For incredible autumn scenery in Tokyo, this spot is hard to ignore, and there you can take many wonderful photos of yourself under those golden-colored gingko trees and fallen leaves on the grounds.
It is time to complete the 7 days Tokyo tour with some shopping to take home. Let’s get to Shibuya then! It is a popular shopping district in Tokyo, and there are many things to buy, some of which could be unique to your country.
Are you ready to enjoy some shopping? Before you do that, you should experience the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing! You might have watched it many times on videos, have not you?
In order to experience a good shopping time with your beloved one, you can visit Shibuya 109, Shibuya Parco, Don Quijote, Shibuya Loft, Tokyo Hands, UNIQLO Shibuya Dogenzaka, Seibu Shibuya, and other well-known department stores.
