Tokyo Autumn Recommendations Needed

[apeape]

I've decided on a trip to Showa Kinen Park. Is there any other park that I could visit to see Koyo? dont mind the not so popular ones too if the foliage is fantastic. Going Tokyo 20/11 to 28/11 and based in Sugamo APA hotel.

 

[thwysg]

Try these URLs.
https://weathernews.jp/s/koyo/area/tokyo.html
https://koyo.walkerplus.com/list/ar0313/

 

[Entropy]

Meiji Jingu Gaien usually has a festival and excellent Ginko tunnel at this time similar to Showa Kinen.

Also you can pop by Takaosan which should have just peaked at this period.. but even if u miss the peak.. the lower slopes will still have koyo.

For koyo night illumination within Tokyo itself.. Rikugien is nice, you can prob walk over from Sugamo too.. though I must let you know that unless you have an excellent camera.. its hard to capture what the eye can see at night.

Showa Kinen is one of the best off the beaten path places to go for an entire day. Their secondary gardens are very nice too... I've yet to visit it during the spring/summer flowering months myself.

 

[thwysg]

Meiji Jingu Gaien usually has a festival and excellent Ginko tunnel at this time similar to Showa Kinen.

Also you can pop by Takaosan which should have just peaked at this period.. but even if u miss the peak.. the lower slopes will still have koyo.

For koyo night illumination within Tokyo itself.. Rikugien is nice, you can prob walk over from Sugamo too.. though I must let you know that unless you have an excellent camera.. its hard to capture what the eye can see at night.

Showa Kinen is one of the best off the beaten path places to go for an entire day. Their secondary gardens are very nice too... I've yet to visit it during the spring/summer flowering months myself.

Showa Kinen off the beaten path? Lol. Hardly. Anyway, I do agree it’s a nice place. Been there late spring and late summer last year, lots of flowers to see. Can spend the early evening at Tachikawa area to shop.

 

[apeape]

Try these URLs.
https://weathernews.jp/s/koyo/area/tokyo.html
https://koyo.walkerplus.com/list/ar0313/

thanks, had a look before and bookmarked some parks. was looking for anyone with experience and double check if its worth spending half a day or so.... definately spending almost a whole day for showa kinen.

Meiji Jingu Gaien usually has a festival and excellent Ginko tunnel at this time similar to Showa Kinen.

Also you can pop by Takaosan which should have just peaked at this period.. but even if u miss the peak.. the lower slopes will still have koyo.

For koyo night illumination within Tokyo itself.. Rikugien is nice, you can prob walk over from Sugamo too.. though I must let you know that unless you have an excellent camera.. its hard to capture what the eye can see at night.

Showa Kinen is one of the best off the beaten path places to go for an entire day. Their secondary gardens are very nice too... I've yet to visit it during the spring/summer flowering months myself.

thanks for the tip, forgot about the night illuminations, thanks for the heads up!

will definately look up mt takao. not too sure the distance will be tiring or not? as i have 3 other daytrips too hahaha

Yes definitely staying at least half a day at showa kinen

 

[apeape]

Showa Kinen off the beaten path? Lol. Hardly. Anyway, I do agree it’s a nice place. Been there late spring and late summer last year, lots of flowers to see. Can spend the early evening at Tachikawa area to shop.

thanks for the tachikawa tip, my wife and i are massive shoppers too

can you comment on the number of tourists there? crowded or packed like sardines? comparable to arashiyama crowd at 12 pm or nara park? it will greatly help manage my expectations

 

[eleutheromania]

Mitake and Todoroki Valley

 

[apeape]

mitake abit too far for me, but todoroki valley looks good! thanks!

 

[thwysg]

thanks for the tachikawa tip, my wife and i are massive shoppers too

can you comment on the number of tourists there? crowded or packed like sardines? comparable to arashiyama crowd at 12 pm or nara park? it will greatly help manage my expectations

For shopping or the park? Both times I went on weekdays.

Most families usually hang around at the open area みんなの原っぱ with the big keyaki tree in the centre of the field. Badminton and picnics. Haven’t been to Kyoto for almost 8 years so not sure about the crowds.

Tachikawa is a big station so there are many shopping malls surrounding it. Very crowded after the students are out from schools and office workers off work. I like to visit the different stories at Loft, BookOff (way bigger than the stores in Tokyo city), Nitori (whole level), Junkudo (bookstore). Ikea is within walking distance from the station too. Those are the few places I like to visit when I visit the park. Haven’t finished checking out the rest of the places. Too little time. Good enough for me.

If you’re looking for high end goods, stick to the stores in the city.

 

[apeape]

For shopping or the park? Both times I went on weekdays.

Most families usually hang around at the open area みんなの原っぱ with the big keyaki tree in the centre of the field. Badminton and picnics. Haven’t been to Kyoto for almost 8 years so not sure about the crowds.

Tachikawa is a big station so there are many shopping malls surrounding it. Very crowded after the students are out from schools and office workers off work. I like to visit the different stories at Loft, BookOff (way bigger than the stores in Tokyo city), Nitori (whole level), Junkudo (bookstore). Ikea is within walking distance from the station too. Those are the few places I like to visit when I visit the park. Haven’t finished checking out the rest of the places. Too little time. Good enough for me.

If you’re looking for high end goods, stick to the stores in the city.

The park i mean sorry. safe to assume crowds are comparable to Meiji Shrine, or more? sound like a nice atmosphere, badminton and picnics... can't wait!

Love secondhand stores so BookOff is always on my list. Ikea... dont talk about it... sad i have to miss the Virgil X Ikea collab

Thanks again!

 

[frozenvanilla89]

can try the route at Mount Takao, can see very small Mount Fuji in good days as well. We went a couple of years back early November only a few trees red, your date should be quite peak i think. but do check the forecasts. maybe okutama area as well?

 

[Kaypohji]

Meiji jingu gaien is big. Which area is the place that has the ginkgo tunnel ?

Meiji Jingu Gaien usually has a festival and excellent Ginko tunnel at this time similar to Showa Kinen.

Also you can pop by Takaosan which should have just peaked at this period.. but even if u miss the peak.. the lower slopes will still have koyo.

For koyo night illumination within Tokyo itself.. Rikugien is nice, you can prob walk over from Sugamo too.. though I must let you know that unless you have an excellent camera.. its hard to capture what the eye can see at night.

Showa Kinen is one of the best off the beaten path places to go for an entire day. Their secondary gardens are very nice too... I've yet to visit it during the spring/summer flowering months myself.

 

[thwysg]

Meiji jingu gaien is big. Which area is the place that has the ginkgo tunnel ?

Eh it’s not at the shrine. Right outside the Gaien-mae station 外苑前. Just use Google Maps and search for Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue 明治神宮外苑銀杏林.

 

[Kaypohji]

Found it. Thanks!

I will be going in end of nov

Eh it’s not at the shrine. Right outside the Gaien-mae station 外苑前. Just use Google Maps and search for Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue 明治神宮外苑銀杏林.

 

[apeape]

Eh it’s not at the shrine. Right outside the Gaien-mae station 外苑前. Just use Google Maps and search for Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue 明治神宮外苑銀杏林.

what a belter! this was also in my list. thanks for the tip for Google map to get the exact location

if you have time can also drop by inokashira koen in kichijoji - since it's on the way to tachikawa just a few stops away on the JR Chuo line.

i also enjoyed hamarikyu gardens - though i was there past-peak in dec just to bum and not for the foliage

ok on the list. thanks!

 

[kuma-mon]

Yoyogi park is a nice park to see autumn colors.

I’ve also heard about this street in kunitachi area where u can take nice photos of autumn trees. Its about 45mins from central tokyo.

 

[clementiboy]

Eh it’s not at the shrine. Right outside the Gaien-mae station 外苑前. Just use Google Maps and search for Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue 明治神宮外苑銀杏林.

fwah. thank you!!
i did not even know about this avenue.

still be sure to include this on my harajuku/shibuya/yoyogi garden day out.

 

[thwysg]

fwah. thank you!!
i did not even know about this avenue.

still be sure to include this on my harajuku/shibuya/yoyogi garden day out.

Take train easier. Shibuya is not that close to Gaien-mae. Just visiting along from Harajuku to Omotesando is already a full day for me. Tokyu Hands Shibuya is bigger than the other stores. We usually walk that stretch if we stopped at the JR station. If heading from Shibuya, take train should be easier for you, although there’s bus services for Harajuku/ Omotesando area.

 

[Entropy]

Showa Kinen off the beaten path? Lol. Hardly. Anyway, I do agree it’s a nice place. Been there late spring and late summer last year, lots of flowers to see. Can spend the early evening at Tachikawa area to shop.

Haha maybe when I went some years back... it seems my friend and I were the only non locals around... even had a dog show going on just outside the main entrance on the big field.

Didn't know about the shopping at Tachikawa though.. see if have time to check it out next time round.

 

[Entropy]

Eh it’s not at the shrine. Right outside the Gaien-mae station 外苑前. Just use Google Maps and search for Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue 明治神宮外苑銀杏林.

Thanks for highlighting the specific location

Oh and Shake Shack fans... you can have your lunch/dinner next to the gingko tunnel too.