MarchAutumn Leaves · Tokyo & Around
Rikugien Gardens
Central TokyoGarden🍁 Typical peak: Late Nov✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
A stroll-style garden with artificial hills and ponds that preserves the look of an Edo-period feudal lord’s garden. Though in central Tokyo, it is known for its autumn leaves, and in autumn 2026 the whole garden is illuminated for special evening viewing.
- Address
- 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0021
- Closed
- New Year holidays (12/29–1/1)
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Official website
- https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/rikugien/index.html
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
Peak Time
When to See the Leaves
Typical peakUsually late November
September
October
November
December
Varies with each year’s temperatures. The Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association’s Rikugien news gives regular updates on the colors
This year’s special openings & events
The 2026 special evening viewing, Rikugien of Garden Autumn Leaves, runs 11/25 (Wed)–12/6 (Sun)
Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
About 560 trees change color, mainly Japanese maples along with ginkgoes, enkianthus and more. In late November the area around the Tsutsuji Chaya tea house is wrapped in red maples, making a superb scene. Different trees color in different places, so walk all the way around the garden to enjoy the variety.
📷 Best views
Tsutsuji Chaya
Rikugien’s signature autumn view, surrounded by red maples in late November
Togetsukyo Bridge
A stone bridge named after a classical waka poem
Illumination
Illumination & night viewing
- Period
- 11/25 (Wed)–12/6 (Sun), 2026
- Hours
- 18:00–20:30 (last entry 19:30)
- Admission
- Advance ¥1,000, same day ¥1,200
Illumination of the whole garden, plus projection mapping on the storehouse and bamboo grove, and matcha served. Buying online is recommended
Hours
Opening hours
Opening hours9:00–17:00
Entry until 16:30
Special evening viewing (11/25–12/6, 2026)18:00–20:30
Last entry 19:30. After daytime opening the garden closes once, then reopens for the evening session
Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission
AdmissionGeneral ¥300, 65 and over ¥150
Free for elementary school students and younger and for junior high school students living or studying in Tokyo
Special evening viewing (2026)Advance ¥1,000 (online), same day ¥1,200
Elementary school students and younger free. Same-day tickets at the counter are cash only. Daily ticket sales are capped
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓In 2026, bank repair work is scheduled through November, and the water level of the Daisensui pond and other areas has been lowered for the work
- ✓Online advance tickets for the special evening viewing are cheaper and give access to a priority lane
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Komagome Station (JR Yamanote Line)About 7 min walk from the South Exit
- Komagome Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)About 7 min walk
- Sengoku Station (Toei Mita Line)About 10 min walk
- By car & parking
- No parking. Use public transportation
- Getting back
- After the special evening viewing, walking back to JR or Metro Komagome Station is the smoothest option
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- There are often waits to enter on weekends at the peak and during the special evening viewing
- Quieter times
- Weekdays, right after opening
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- November normals for Tokyo: high 16.7°C, low 8.8°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
- What to wear & bring
- It gets cold during the special evening viewing, so dress warmly with a coat and scarf
Rules
Photography & visitor rules
- !Sketching and drawing are not allowed during the autumn leaves season (11/1–12/15, 2026)
- !Model shoots and commercial photography require prior consultation with the Rikugien Service Center
- !No pets (except assistance dogs)
Facilities
Facilities
- Payment
- Cash only at the counter for same-day evening tickets
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Rikugien GardensPR
PR9.3アルモントホテル日暮里
★★★Check rates on Agoda16,046 reviews2.8 km from center
PR8.8アパホテル TKP日暮里駅前
★★★★Check rates on Agoda22,363 reviews2.7 km from center
PR8.7サンシャインシティプリンスホテル 池袋 東京
★★★★Check rates on Agoda17,709 reviews2.3 km from center
PR8.8アパホテル 山手大塚駅前タワー
★★★Check rates on Agoda13,692 reviews1.6 km from center
PR8.7アパホテル 巣鴨駅前
★★★★Check rates on Agoda12,586 reviews0.6 km from center
PR8.9DEL style 池袋東口 by Daiwa Roynet Hotel
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,689 reviews2.9 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
Mountain & highland
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
