Tokyo: Peak Colors

Today, I was in Tokyo for our final autumn color report for 2019. To recap this year's season, we started our reporting all the way back in mid September in Daisetsuzan when the colors were at their peak. The warmer than usual temperatures in most cities in September and early October meant that the main autumn color season got off to a slower start. However, the leaves made their progress to display their stunning colors as the temperatures dropped steadily over the weeks. The autumn colors were at their peak in many cities in the later half of November.

We are now in the first half of December, and the colors in cities like Tokyo and some of the later-changing spots are still at their peak. Joe was in Tokyo exactly a week ago and reported that the colors were at their peak. I am pleased to report that the autumn colors at the places I visited today were still at their peak and should remain good till at least this coming weekend.

My first stop for the day was the Icho Namiki, a gingko tree lined avenue in Meiji Jingu Gaien Park and a popular place to see golden gingko leaves during the autumn color season. The leaves were at their peak colors when Joe visited a week ago, and today, they seemed to be starting to decline. There were still enough leaves on the trees for it to be an attractive place to see autumn colors. I expect the trees to remain attractive till the end of this week before the branches start looking very stark without their leaves.

Koishikawa Korakuen is a landscape garden in the middle of the city not far from Tokyo Dome. It is a popular autumn color spot in Tokyo, and the colors did not disappoint when I was there today. I found the autumn colors here to still be at their peak and expect the best viewing to continue through to at least this coming weekend.

My final stop for the day was Rikugien, a landscape garden not far from Koishikawa Korakuen. The garden is also another popular autumn color spot in Tokyo, and it is one of my favorite spots to see the seasonal color spectacular as well. Today, the autumn colors were still at their peak, and I expect the best viewing to continue through to this coming weekend and possibly into early next week. Until December 12, 2019, Rikugien is illuminated in the evenings from sunset to 21:00 (entry until 20:30).

Thanks for following our autumn color reports for 2019! All the reports for this season can be read here. Our next seasonal reporting, which is the cherry blossom season, will begin in approximately 100 days. Not too long now! Until then, Happy Holidays from all of us here at japan-guide.com.