The Best Locations for Amazing Autumn Photos in Tokyo

Taking autumn photos in Tokyo is just as amazing as photographing cherry blossom season

Let me explain.

Autumn, or fall, is considered one of the best seasons to visit Tokyo. Taking autumn photos in Tokyo is the best because the weather is mild and the air is crisp. After the very hot and humid summer, people celebrate with chestnut themed food, trench coats, and turning up the heater to 40.C on subway trains. 

Planning a Tokyo Autumn Trip?

The Tokyo autumn forecast for 2023 is late November to early December. Peak leaves are on schedule for the first week of December in Tokyo.

So pop on your best mustard coloured sweater, grab a spiced Pumpkin Latte, and your favourite camera (or canvas) and check out five of the best locations for Autumn photos in Tokyo.

Tokyo Tower during autumn

Tokyo Tower in autumn is the perfect spot for photos because nothing says “I took this photo in Tokyo” like Tokyo Tower! There are several locations around Tokyo Tower that are perfect for autumn photos. 

For beautiful golden yellow autumn leaves, the best spots in Shiba Park are outside Shiba Koen Subway Station Exit 4 on the Oedo Line, and Shiba Park 4th Block outside Onarimon Station Exit on the Toei Mita Line (take Exit A5 or A3a and cross the road back towards the park). Shiba Park 4th Block also has some amazing views of Tokyo Tower and a Christmas market in December. 

For striking red leaves, you’ll find the best spot right underneath Tokyo Tower at Autumn Maple Leaves Valley Park. There is a small waterfall called Momiji Waterfall. See gorgeous views looking straight up at Tokyo Tower!  Interested in more instagrammable locations to photograph Tokyo Tower? Head over to my post all about The Best Locations for Photos of Tokyo Tower.

Showa Kinen Park during autumn

Showa Kinen Park (or Showa Kinen Koen) is a massive park out west. It is located near Tachikawa Station, which is a large shopping hub. It is about a 20 minute walk from the park. Tachikawa is very much ‘Tokyo suburbia’ (they even have a massive IKEA!), so you’ll find Showa Kinen Park packed with families enjoying the fresh air on the weekends and during the peak autumn season. BBQs, bikes, and couples boats are available to rent out throughout the park but keep in mind this is only in Japanese.

During the autumn season, Showa Kinen Park has many beautiful autumn spots to check out. The most famous – and by far the most popular – spot is the Ginkgo Promenade. It is right at the gate entrance where you pay to enter. There are two lined paths that follow a canal, and both are filled with bright yellow leaves. This area gets very crowded during peak times so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get some good pictures! For more golden leaves you can find Gingko Tree Avenue located on the other side of the park.

If you’re looking for red leaves the best spot is by the Japanese Garden on the northern side of the park. There you will find a beautiful lake and picturesque views – the perfect backdrop for your autumn photos in Tokyo!

Omotesando Dori during autumn

You have probably seen photographs of this spot before but you might not know the name. Omotesando Dori is one of the most popular shopping streets in Tokyo. It is popular with tourists, high-end shoppers, and cafe-hunters. 

During autumn, you can use the pedestrian bridge above the road to snap gorgeous views of the whole street lined with autumn leaves. The pedestrian bridges close during the December Christmas illumination period. That means you’ll only be able to enjoy these views if the peak of the autumn leaves hits at the end of November.

Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park is one of my favourite locations for seasonal photographs as the park always has something going on! In autumn, the park is covered with gorgeous red and yellows all mixed in together (so… orange?). Even though Hibiya Park is known as Tokyo’s first ‘western park’, there are many Japanese elements. When you visit, be in awe of the beauty of nature juxtaposed with the densely packed city scape in the background. This makes for beautiful Autumn photos in Tokyo because you get city and nature rolled into one.

The best spot to visit is the small lake near the centre. It features a popular crane statue in the middle. Many cranes, herons, and egrets frequent this park and are waiting to be photographed by you!

Okutama during autumn

Okutama is one of the best kept secrets of Tokyo so SHHHH! A visit to Okutama would have you thinking you have escaped into the wilderness but it is considered to be part of greater Tokyo and Yamanashi prefecture. Okutama is a hiker’s paradise, with plenty of mountains to visit and trails to wander. Keep in mind Okutama is a whole day activity so leave home early. It will require a train to Okutama Station (it is the last stop on the Ome Line) and a bus trip to any of the locations. I advise comfortable shoes!

The easiest spot to visit is Lake Okutama, which is a short bus ride from Okutama Station. Lake Okutama is a man made reservoir and provides Tokyo with much of its water. Lake Okutama is vast, and there are plenty of walking tracks to cruise around the lake. You do not need to walk far from the bus stop at the viewing platform by the lake to start seeing the beautiful leaves.

The paths around the lake are mostly flat and easy to walk on but walking the whole lake would probably take me around 4 hours, so I spent about 1-2 hours walking part of it and enjoying the scenery. There are many picnic tables along the way so you can easily find a spot all to yourself.