Tokyo & Kanagawa Autumn Leaves: Your 2025 Guide to Japan's Fall Foliage!

As the summer heat fades, Tokyo and Kanagawa transform into a breathtaking canvas of fiery red, vibrant orange, and brilliant yellow. Experiencing kōyō (紅葉, autumn leaves) in the Kanto region is a quintessential Japanese experience, blending ancient temples, modern landscapes, and serene gardens with nature's most spectacular show.

This guide provides everything you need to plan your momijigari (leaf hunting) adventure in and around Japan's capital, including prime locations, 2024 peak预测 forecasts, and the types of stunning leaves you'll discover.

When to See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo & Kanagawa (2025 Forecast)

The autumn color front moves from north to south. In the higher elevations of Kanagawa and the inner gardens of Tokyo, the season typically begins in late November and peaks through early December.

• Tokyo Peak Viewing: Late November to Early December

• Kanagawa Peak Viewing: Mid-November to Early December (earlier in mountainous areas like Hakone)

• Key Factors: Annual weather variations can shift these dates by a week. A cooler summer often leads to an earlier, more vibrant season.

The Stars of the Show: Tokyo & Kanagawa's Autumn Leaves

• Japanese Maple (Irohamomiji): The iconic star. Its delicate leaves turn a profound, fiery red and are the centerpiece of most Japanese gardens.

• Ginkgo (Icho): Known for its stunning, uniform yellow hue. These towering trees create magnificent golden tunnels and carpets of leaves, offering a different but equally spectacular beauty to red maples.

Best Tokyo Autumn Foliage Spots

1. Rikugien Garden

• Foliage Type: Massive, weeping Japanese maple trees that light up in deep crimson and orange.

• Why Visit: Often called Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden. The light-up illumination event held during peak season is magical, with reflections shimmering on the central pond.

• Peak: Late November - Early December.

2. Meiji Jingu Gaien (Ginkgo Avenue)

• Foliage Type: Over 140 magnificent ginkgo trees creating a nearly 1 km long tunnel of solid gold.

• Why Visit: This is one of Tokyo's most iconic and Instagrammable autumn scenes. The annual Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival features food stalls and festive lights.

• Peak: Late November - Early December.

3. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

• Foliage Type: A diverse collection of trees, including maples (red), ginkgos (yellow), and bald cypresses (orange).

• Why Visit: Experience three different garden styles (English, French, and Japanese) all adorned with fall colors. Its vast space means you can always find a peaceful spot.

• Peak: Late November - Early December.

Best Kanagawa Autumn Foliage Spots

1. Hakone: Lake Ashi & Kowakidani

• Foliage Type: A magnificent mix of maple and other deciduous trees painting the mountainsides in a patchwork of red, orange, and yellow.

• Why Visit: View the colors from the iconic Hakone Pirate Ships on Lake Ashi for a stunning contrast with Mt. Fuji. The Kowakidani Yunessun hot spring resort is famous for its brilliant maple tree tunnel.

• Peak: Late October - Mid-November (Due to its higher elevation).

2. Kencho-ji Temple (Kamakura)

• Foliage Type: Classic Japanese maples turning brilliant shades of scarlet.

• Why Visit: As Japan's oldest Zen training monastery, Kencho-ji offers a profoundly serene setting. The autumn colors framing its historic buildings create a picture-perfect scene of old Japan.

• Peak: Late November - Early December

3. Sankeien Garden (Yokohama)

• Foliage Type: Beautiful maple trees throughout its sprawling, traditional landscape garden.

• Why Visit: This garden features historic buildings relocated from across Japan, including Kyoto and Nara. The fall colors provide a stunning backdrop to these architectural treasures, making for incredible photography.

• Peak: Late November - Early December.

Pro Tips for Your Tokyo & Kanagawa Leaf Hunting

• Check the Forecast: Before your trip, search for "日本紅葉前線" (Nihon koyo zensen) for the official Japan Autumn Color Forecast.

• Visit on Weekdays: Popular spots like Rikugien and Shinjuku Gyoen get extremely crowded on weekends. For a peaceful experience, aim for a weekday visit.

• Enjoy Night Illuminations: Many gardens (e.g., Rikugien, Sankeien) host special evening light-up events. This offers a completely different and enchanting perspective on the fall colors.

• Try Fall Delicacies: Warm up with seasonal street food like aki no namagashi (autumn sweets), shigureni (simmered sweet fish), and sweet potato treats sold at festivals.

Plan your unforgettable autumn journey to Tokyo and Kanagawa and witness one of Japan's most beautiful natural wonders!