Fall is a beautiful season making you want to go out and appreciate the changing colors of nature. Luckily, even in central Tokyo, there are a lot of places that let you experience Japan’s gorgeous autumn colors.
In this article, we introduce Kitanomaru Garden and Hibiya Park – two parks that are perfect for an autumnal stroll in the city!
Kitanomaru Garden
At Mt. Momiji (Momijiyama in Japanese) on the west side of the park, you can see various kinds of autumn leaves. Momiji means autumn leaves or maple tree leaves in Japanese. In this area of the park, the low hills are ablaze with autumn tints. Here, you are completely surrounded by autumn leaves – like a 360-degree-tunnel. A wonderful spot!
Also, Kitanomaru Garden is an area with many excellent museums around. The view from the observation room called “Room with a view” of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT) is beautiful. Overlooking the moat and the autumn leaves of the Imperial Palace East Imperial Garden, MOMAT is Japan’s first national museum. It exhibits a collection of modern and contemporary artworks from the Meiji era (1868-1912) to the present day during special exhibitions. Hit two birds with one stone and enjoy both: art and autumn leaves!
Kitanomaru Garden
1-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/TiJaR2opzk35FqEV9
Nearest stations: Kudanshita Station, Takebashi Station
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT)
https://www.momat.go.jp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MOMAT60th
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momat.pr
3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7jXfEzFb2SommFaf6
Nearest stations: Takebashi Station, Kudanshita Station, Jimbocho Station
Hibiya Park
Completed in 1903, Hibiya Park is Japan’s first Western-style modern park. The old ginkgo tree that rises beside the Hibiya Matsumotoro restaurant is colored in bright gold, and the thick fallen leaves create a yellow carpet, making it another wonderful photo spot.
In addition, the autumn colors of “Kumogata-ike Pond” are stunning. It’s one of the most popular spots for autumn leaves in the park. With lots of benches around the pond, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the leaves and relax in the autumn sun.
Hibiya Park
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index037.html
1 Hibiya-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/GUh2WcWcRCFbPBqH6
Nearest stations: Kasumigaseki Station, Hibiya Station, Yurakucho Station, Uchisaiwaicho Station
* All photos and video clips were taken before 2020.