Tokyo Autumn Foliage 2026: Peak Dates, 10 Spots & Light-Ups
Tokyo Mate
Tokyo's autumn foliage season usually runs from mid-November to early December. For 2026, Tokyo's yellow ginkgo trees are expected to peak around November 26 and the red maples around November 29. Around December 8, the best viewing periods of 9 of the 10 spots in this guide overlap.
Tokyo Autumn Foliage 2026: Expected Peak
Tokyo's autumn leaves usually look their best from mid-November to early December, and the first 2026 forecast isn't far off that.
The first forecast, released on September 2, expects Tokyo's ginkgo trees to peak around November 26 and its maples around November 29. Both dates are close to the usual average.
| Tree | 2026 forecast | Average year |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | Around Nov 26 | Nov 23 |
| Maple | Around Nov 29 | Nov 28 |
※ Japan Meteorological Corporation's first forecast, as checked on September 24, 2026.
✔️ Japan Meteorological Corporation expects Tokyo to be around average. Weathernews expects many spots in the Kanto-Koshin region to be later than average or a little late. The two forecasts cover different things: one looks at the city's sample trees, the other at spots across the whole region.
✔️ Weathernews expects foliage to be visible somewhere in Kanto from mid-October to mid-December, a range that includes mountain areas. Most of the Tokyo spots in this guide come later than that. Even Showa Kinen Park is expected to start looking good only from around November 18.
Forecast dates can still change
Depending on temperatures, the actual foliage can come a week or two earlier or later. Japan Meteorological Corporation plans to release its next forecast in early October. Two to three weeks before your trip, check the latest forecast and each spot's official notices again.
If you're visiting Tokyo in October, look at the festival calendar as well.
👉 Tokyo October Festivals 2026: Fireworks & Halloween
10 Tokyo Foliage Spots: 2026 Peak Timing Compared
Peak timing and the best viewing period vary a lot between these 10 spots.
In Weathernews' 2026 forecast, Showa Kinen Park is the first to reach its best viewing period, from around November 18, and Rikugien is the last, from around December 8.
| Foliage spot | Best viewing expected from | Leaves expected to start falling |
|---|---|---|
| Showa Kinen Park | Around Nov 18 | Around Dec 7 |
| Mt. Takao | Around Nov 22 | Around Dec 9 |
| Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue | Around Nov 30 | Around Dec 14 |
| Yoyogi Park | Around Dec 2 | Around Dec 17 |
| Ueno Park | Around Dec 4 | Around Dec 18 |
| Kitanomaru Park | Around Dec 4 | Around Dec 16 |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | Around Dec 5 | Around Dec 17 |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | Around Dec 6 | Around Dec 21 |
| Inokashira Park | Around Dec 7 | Around Dec 20 |
| Rikugien | Around Dec 8 | Around Dec 23 |
✅ Which spots suit your travel dates
In late November you can see Showa Kinen Park and Mt. Takao first, and Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue reaches its best viewing period from around November 30.
Around December 8, the best viewing periods of 9 spots overlap, all except Showa Kinen Park. That's when you have the most choice of the 10. Actual leaf color and leaf fall still depend on temperatures, so check the latest conditions before you go.
Among the central Tokyo spots, Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is the first to look its best. The 2026 forecast puts it from around November 30.
👉 Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue: Peak Timing & Light-Up
Mt. Takao is expected to reach good viewing from late November, earlier than central Tokyo. How to get there from Shinjuku, the cable car and chairlift, and the hot spring are all covered in the Mt. Takao guide below.
👉 Day Trip from Tokyo: Mt. Takao Access, Hot Spring & Food (incl. Gonsuke)
10 Tokyo Foliage Spots: Admission & Access
6 of the 10 spots are free. The other 4 charge adults 300 to 500 yen.
| Foliage spot | Admission (adults) | Location / access |
|---|---|---|
| Showa Kinen Park | 450 yen | 2 min walk from JR Nishi-Tachikawa 📍 View on Google Maps |
| Mt. Takao | Free | Keio Takaosanguchi Station |
| Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue | Free | Gaiemmae / Aoyama-itchome Station |
| Yoyogi Park | Free | 3 min walk from JR Harajuku |
| Ueno Park | Free | 2 min walk from JR Ueno |
| Kitanomaru Park | Free | Kudanshita / Takebashi Station |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | 300 yen | 3 min walk from Exit C3, Iidabashi Station 📍 View on Google Maps |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | 500 yen | 5 min walk from Exit 1, Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station |
| Inokashira Park | Free | 1 min walk from Keio Inokashira-koen Station |
| Rikugien | 300 yen | 7 min walk from JR Komagome Station 📍 View on Google Maps |
At 500 yen for adults, Shinjuku Gyoen has the highest admission of the 10. From October 1 to March 14 it closes at 16:30, with last entry at 16:00. It's normally closed on Mondays, but during the Chrysanthemum Exhibition on November 1-15, 2026, it also opens on Mondays.
👉 Shinjuku Gyoen: Admission, Hours, Gates & Starbucks
Tokyo Autumn Foliage Light-Ups 2026
As of September 24, 2026, Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien are the only spots in this guide with officially confirmed night foliage dates. Koishikawa Korakuen opens specially at night on November 13-24, and Rikugien on November 25 - December 6.
Both gardens are open 9:00-17:00 during the day, with last entry at 16:30, and adult admission is 300 yen. They close once at 17:00 and reopen at 18:00 for the night viewing, which needs a separate special ticket.
① Koishikawa Korakuen autumn light-up
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園): Enjoying the Glowing Autumn Leaves of the Deep Mountains (深山"光"葉を楽しむ) |
| Dates | November 13 (Fri) - November 24 (Tue), 2026 |
| Hours | 18:00-21:00 (last entry 20:00) |
| Price | Advance 1,000 yen / same day 1,200 yen (junior high school students and older) |
| Advance tickets | October 1, 10:00 - November 12, 23:59, sold online |
| Same-day tickets online | November 13, 0:00 - November 24, 19:30 |
| Same-day tickets on site | West Gate, 18:00-20:00, cash only, limited number |
| Route | Enter at the West Gate → exit at the East Gate |
| Location | 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 📍 View on Google Maps |
② Rikugien autumn light-up
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Rikugien (六義園): Special Night Viewing of Rikugien in Autumn Colors (庭紅葉の六義園 夜間特別観賞) |
| Dates | November 25 (Wed) - December 6 (Sun), 2026 |
| Hours | 18:00-20:30 (last entry 19:30) |
| Night entry | Closes at 17:00, reopens at 18:00; special night ticket required |
| Price | Advance 1,000 yen / same day 1,200 yen; elementary school children and younger free |
| Advance tickets | Online only (start date and sellers to be announced) |
| Same-day tickets | Online or at the Main Gate ticket office; on-site sales 18:00-19:30 |
| Paying on site | Cash only, limited number |
| Location | 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 📍 View on Google Maps |
✅ Metropolitan Gardens autumn stamp rally
Separate from the light-ups, an autumn foliage stamp rally covering 9 Metropolitan Gardens runs from October 10 to December 6. Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen are both part of it. The stamps are inside each garden's paid area, so you collect them after entering.
The 9 Metropolitan Gardens are Hama-rikyu Gardens, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen, Rikugien, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, Kiyosumi Gardens, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens and Tonogayato Gardens.
With 3 stamps you get a souvenir, and with 7 or 9 you can also enter a prize draw.
Before Your Tokyo Foliage Trip
1. Shinjuku Gyoen is expected to look good from around December 6, but the next day, December 7, is a Monday, when it's closed.
2. Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien close once at 17:00 and reopen at 18:00. Even if you visited during the day, you need a separate special night ticket.
3. Rikugien's advance tickets are sold online only. The start date and how to buy will be announced later on the official website.
4. Koishikawa Korakuen's on-site same-day tickets are sold at the West Gate ticket office for cash only, in limited numbers.
5. Showa Kinen Park is also among the earliest of the 10 to lose its leaves, with leaf fall expected from around December 7. In the second week of December, central Tokyo parks and gardens give you more choice than Showa Kinen Park.
6. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is expected to look good from around November 30, with leaf fall from around December 14. If yellow ginkgo is what you're after, aim for November 30 - December 13 based on the current forecast.
FAQ
Q. Can I see autumn leaves in Tokyo in October?
A. None of the 10 spots in this guide is expected to reach its best viewing period in October. Even the earliest, Showa Kinen Park, is expected to look good from around November 18, and Mt. Takao from around November 22. Most central Tokyo parks and gardens look best from late November to early December.
Q. Where can I see autumn leaves in Tokyo for free?
A. 6 of the 10 spots in this guide are free: Mt. Takao, Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, Kitanomaru Park and Inokashira Park. Hiking up Mt. Takao is free, but the cable car and chairlift cost extra.
Q. Where do I buy tickets for Tokyo's autumn light-ups?
A. As of September 24, 2026, Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien are the only spots in this guide with officially announced night dates. Koishikawa Korakuen sells advance tickets from October 1, 10:00 on Seven Ticket, KKday and asoview!. Rikugien's advance tickets are online only, and the start date and sellers will be announced later on the official website.
Q. Can I still see autumn leaves in Tokyo in early December?
A. Yes. Based on the 2026 forecast, the best viewing periods of 9 spots overlap around December 8, all except Showa Kinen Park. Spots such as Rikugien, Shinjuku Gyoen and Koishikawa Korakuen start looking their best in early December.
If you can only pick one date for Tokyo autumn foliage, around December 8 (Tue) gives you the most choice: the best viewing periods of 9 of the 10 spots in this guide overlap then. If yellow ginkgo is what you want, start with Meiji Jingu Gaien from late November.
🧡 Tokyo Mate Travel Guide