Inner City Splendour: Autumn Leaves in Tokyo

The autumn foliage is the time when japan turns in to a whirlin wind of natural colors, even in a metropolitan like Tokyo there are many places to watch and admire this beauty, but if you would like to get more of a natural experience in actual nature and not just in a park you might want to take a train a bit farther away to one of the more remote areas, where it is more of countryside than city. Here are couple of good places that you should try out instead of just staying in Tokyo.

Lake Kawaguchi Momiji Kairo (Maple Corridor)
Best viewing time: early - mid November Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji is the best autumn leaves viewing place of the Fuji Five Lakes. The vividly tinted maple leaves that cover Momiji Kairo, the promenade located at the north bank, are just splendid. The atmosphere is truly romantic. As an added bonus, the chance you’ll have a clear sight of Mt Fuji is quite high as the weather is finer in autumn.

Adress: Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture

How to get there:  From Shinjuku station take a express bus to Katsuyama (Yamanashi Bus Stop) about 2h30min

Cost: 2100yen

More info here


Yoro Valley 
Best viewing time: end November - early December
For those staying in Tokyo, the Yoro valley makes a perfect day trip. Located in the middle of the Boso Peninsula, it takes about two hours from Tokyo by train. Latecomers can enjoy this spot too: it is the last spot to have full autumn leaves in the season near Tokyo. Take a walk along the river or in the woods and enjoy the serenity of Japan’s natural splendor.

Address: Otaki-machi, Isumi-gun 298-0216, Chiba Prefecture

How to get there: From Tokyo take the JR sobu Rabid line to Goi station, and from Goi station take the Kominato Tetsudo line to Yorokeikoku Station. It takes about 2h – 2h30m to get there.

Cost: 2220yen

Tokyo University
Best viewing time: November - early December
Much closer to home, Tokyo University’s Hongo campus’ autumn leaves are also possible to visit if you have only a few hours. It probably won’t take you much longer too, since it is only the university grounds. The pond in the back of the campus, Sanshiro Pond, is especially pretty, but the lanes of campus, with their bright-yellow Ginkgo trees are also an attraction.  

Address: The University of Tokyo, 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654

How to get there: You need to take Marunouchi Line metro to Hongo-sanchome Station or a Bus to the Tokyo university stop.  The cost and time depends on where from Tokyo are you going there to.