MarchAutumn Leaves · Tokyo & Around
Mount Takao
Takao, TokyoMountain & highland🍁 Typical peak: Mid Nov – Early Dec
Overview
Overview
A 599 m mountain reachable by train from central Tokyo, with a cable car and chairlift up to its mid-slopes. In the autumn leaves season the Mt. Takao Momiji Festival is held, making it the busiest time of the year.
- Address
- Takao-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo
- Time needed
- About half a day
- Official website
- https://www.hkc.or.jp/takaosan/
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually mid-November to early December
September
October
November
December
The timing of the colors differs slightly between the foot and the summit. See the Hachioji Convention and Visitors Association’s information for the latest conditions
This year’s special openings & events
The 2026 Mt. Takao Momiji Festival runs 10/24 (Sat)–12/13 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
Maples color the paths leading to the summit and Yakuoin Temple, peaking from mid-November to early December. The cable car climbs Japan’s steepest gradient (31 degrees 18 minutes) in about 6 min, and the chairlift takes about 12 min to the mid-slopes, with views of slopes covered in autumn leaves.
📷 Best views
Yakuoin Temple
An ancient temple founded in 744. A popular place to visit in the autumn leaves season
Chairlift
An approx. 12-min ride through the air to Sanjo Station on the mid-slopes, with views of slopes covered in autumn leaves
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓In the autumn leaves season, visitors are asked to avoid peak hours, weekends and holidays
- ✓During the Momiji Festival there are events such as a saito goma fire ritual in the plaza in front of Kiyotaki Station
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Takaosanguchi Station (Keio Takao Line)About 3 min walk to the cable car’s Kiyotaki Station
- Takao Station (JR Chuo Line, Keio Line)About 30 min walk
- Getting back
- The cable car and chairlift stations get crowded in the late afternoon, so allow plenty of time to come down
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- Weekends and holidays in the autumn leaves season are the busiest of the year, with long lines at the cable car station
- Quieter times
- Early weekday mornings
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- November normals for Tokyo: high 16.7°C, low 8.8°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Mt. Takao is a 599 m mountain, so it is colder than central Tokyo
- What to wear & bring
- You will walk mountain paths, so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket you can layer
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Mount TakaoPR
PR8.9タカオネ ACTIVITY&STAY
★★★Check rates on Agoda429 reviews2.6 km from center- PR8.6
Mt.Takao Base Camp
★★★Check rates on Agoda245 reviews2.7 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Central Tokyo
March
AprilBunkyo Azalea Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April
MaySanja Matsuri
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)
JulySumida River Fireworks Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyShiman-rokusen-nichi / Hoozuki Market
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
AugustTokyo Koenji Awa-Odori
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)
NovemberTori-no-Ichi
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day
2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)
November–FebruaryMarunouchi Illumination
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberHagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")
2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)
Attractions
Attractions in Central Tokyo
Theme parkTokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Located in Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, this resort centers on two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. It’s about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line, close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo. Park tickets are date-specific with variable pricing and must be bought in advance on the official website or official app.
Advance, date-specific tickets required
Studio tourWarner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
This indoor walk-through attraction takes you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. It opened in June 2023 on the former site of Toshimaen. There are no rides; instead, you explore sets, props, and costumes on foot at your own pace.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkSanrio Puroland
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Tama
A fully indoor theme park where you can meet Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters. Parades, musical shows, rides, and character greetings are packed into a four-story building, so you can enjoy a full day regardless of the weather.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
ExperienceteamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Toyosu
An immersive museum by the art collective teamLab where you walk barefoot into the artworks. It's a series of vast spaces, including works you wade through water to experience, where your whole body becomes one with the art. It's scheduled to run until the end of 2027.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ZooUeno Zoological Gardens
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Ueno
Japan's oldest zoo, located inside Ueno Park. With affordable admission, it's a central Tokyo zoo that's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums.
AquariumSumida Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Oshiage / Tokyo Skytree Town
An urban aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. It's entirely indoors and directly connected to the station, so you can drop by whatever the weather. It stays open into the evening, making it easy to pair with the Skytree observation decks or sightseeing in Asakusa.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
AquariumKamogawa Sea World
Tokyo & Around ・ Kamogawa, Chiba
An aquarium on the Pacific coast of the Boso Peninsula where you can see performances by four species: orcas, belugas, dolphins, and sea lions. Admission includes all performances. It's about 2 hours from Tokyo Station by the Limited Express Wakashio or the direct Akushi-go highway bus (アクシー号), so it works as a day trip.
Amusement parkYomiuriland
Tokyo & Around ・ Inagi
An amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with something to enjoy year-round: pools in summer and illuminations in winter. Inside the park is PokéPark KANTO, an area where more than 600 Pokémon live. It's about 10 minutes from Keio-yomiuri-land Station by the Sky Shuttle gondola.
AquariumSunshine Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Ikebukuro
An urban aquarium on the roof of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City. Themed as an oasis in the sky, it consists of indoor exhibits on two floors and the outdoor Marine Garden. It's within walking distance of Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro stations, making it easy to drop by between other Tokyo sightseeing.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Tokyo & Around
Park🍁 Typical peakKochia at Hitachi Seaside Park
Tokyo & Around ・ Hitachinaka, Ibaraki
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Lake🍁 Typical peak
Lake🍁 Typical peakMomiji Corridor, Lake Kawaguchi
Tokyo & Around ・ Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi
🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Mid Nov
✦ Illumination
Park🍁 Typical peak
Garden
Garden
Temple
Park
Temple
GardenKoishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
🍁 Typical peak: Late Nov – Early Dec
✦ Illumination
Garden
TempleHasedera Temple (Kamakura)
Tokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima
🍁 Typical peak: Late Nov – Mid Dec
✦ Illumination
Peak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-05