Tokyo autumn leaves 2026: when to go, where to go, and the evening worth planning around
Autumn in Tokyo is quieter and more reliable than cherry blossom season: the colour arrives later than most visitors expect, it lasts for weeks, and the best spots are a mix of old landscape gardens and free city parks. Here is when to go in 2026, which places are worth your day, and the one evening event that's worth planning a trip around.
Plan Tokyo autumn leaves for the last week of November through the first week of December 2026. The Japan Meteorological Corporation's October forecast expects Tokyo's ginkgo to turn by Nov 26 and its maples by Nov 28; the next update is due in early November. The easiest first-timer picks are Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500) and the free Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue. The best evening is Rikugien's night illumination, Nov 25 – Dec 6 (¥1,000 online in advance).
When to go in 2026
Forecasts and spot-by-spot guides disagree by a few days, which is normal for autumn colour. The key point is that it's late: Tokyo's peak is usually late November into early December, well after the leaves in the mountains. If your trip is mid-November, you will often be a week early in the city and should go up to Mt. Takao instead. If it's the first week of December, you'll still catch most of the gardens. Check the early-November forecast update before you book anything non-refundable.
The spots, at a glance
Fees and typical timing below come from a 2026 spot guide and should be confirmed on each site before you go.
| Spot | Entry | Typical colour | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku Gyoen | ¥500 | Mid-Oct to mid-Dec (long season) | Shinjuku-Gyoemmae, 5 min |
| Rikugien | ¥300 (day) | Late Nov to early Dec | Komagome (JR Yamanote), 7 min |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | ¥300 | Late Nov to early Dec | Iidabashi, 8 min |
| Hamarikyu Gardens | ¥300 | About Nov 30 – Dec 9 | Tsukijishijo (Oedo Line), 5 min |
| Meiji Jingu Gaien (ginkgo avenue) | Free | About Nov 24 – Dec 6 | Shinanomachi (JR Chuo-Sobu), 5 min |
| Ueno Park | Free | About Nov 27 – Dec 8 | Ueno, 1 min |
| Yoyogi Park | Free | Late Nov to mid-Dec | Harajuku, 3 min |
| Hibiya Park | Free | Late Nov to early Dec | Hibiya, 3 min |
| Mt. Takao (day trip) | Free to climb; cable car/lift ¥490 one way | About Nov 19 – Dec 1 | Takaosanguchi (Keio), 5 min |
Rikugien: the evening worth planning around
Rikugien is an Edo-period stroll garden in Bunkyo, built around a pond and a hill, and it is one of the best-designed places to see maples in the city. For 2026, it opens in the evening for a foliage illumination from Nov 25 to Dec 6, 18:00–20:30 with last entry at 19:30. Note that the garden closes at its normal time in the afternoon, then reopens for the evening session.
| Rikugien night illumination 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Advance ticket | ¥1,000, online only |
| Same-day ticket | ¥1,200, online or at the gate (cash only at the gate) |
| Children | Elementary school age and younger free |
| Access | Komagome Station (JR Yamanote), about 7 minutes on foot |
Buy the advance ticket online. It's ¥200 cheaper, and on peak weekend evenings the gate queue is the thing that spoils the evening. Weekdays are calmer than weekends.
A simple one-day plan
Morning: Meiji Jingu Gaien's ginkgo avenue is free and best before the crowds. Afternoon: Shinjuku Gyoen, which has the longest season and mixes Japanese, English and French garden styles. Evening: a short Yamanote Line ride up to Rikugien for the illumination (on days it's open). If your trip is earlier in November, swap the evening for Mt. Takao in the day.
If you'd rather combine leaves with a museum, Ueno Park is the easy pairing: the Edo in Focus exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum closes Oct 18, but the park's trees colour from late November.
Practical notes
Gardens usually close in the late afternoon (Rikugien's regular hours end at 5 pm), while the parks are free and open longer. Cash is still useful at garden ticket machines. If you are staying in Ikebukuro, Rikugien is the closest of the big names, and the evening pairs well with a late dinner afterwards; see our Otome Road guide for the daytime side of the neighbourhood.
Common questions
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Tokyo in 2026?
Late November to early December. The Japan Meteorological Corporation's October forecast expects Tokyo's ginkgo to turn by November 26 and maples by November 28, with an update due in early November.
What are the best places for autumn leaves in Tokyo?
For first-timers: Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500, long season), the free Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue, Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen gardens (¥300 each), Hamarikyu Gardens (¥300), and Ueno Park (free).
Is there an autumn leaves illumination in Tokyo in 2026?
Yes. Rikugien's night illumination runs November 25 to December 6, 2026, from 18:00 to 20:30 (last entry 19:30). Advance tickets are ¥1,000 online; same-day tickets are ¥1,200.
Is it too early for autumn colour in Tokyo in mid-November?
Often, yes. Mid-November is usually early in central Tokyo. Mt. Takao, a day trip from Shinjuku, tends to turn earlier, around November 19 to December 1 according to a 2026 spot guide.
Do I need to book anything?
Not for the parks. For Rikugien's evening illumination, advance online tickets are cheaper and avoid the gate queue.