Ginkgo tree-lined spots to enjoy in Tokyo
Speaking of autumn leaves in Tokyo, there are many famous places of ginkgo trees and easy access, so it is easy to go out for a walk when you think of it. The scenery of the streets and parks that turn yellow gives a romantic feeling and creates an unusual Tokyo atmosphere. Let’s go out to enjoy the beautiful ginkgo row of trees.
Meiji Jingu Gaien
The Meiji Jingu Gaien was founded in 1926 as the Birth of the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is popular with many people as a sports facility such as Jingu Stadium, centered on the Seitoku Memorial Picture Gallery, and an urban oasis where you can enjoy the seasonal nature.
Ginkgo row of trees from Aoyama Street to Meiji Jingu Gaien is famous around the world. It is often used as a location for dramas and commercials, and its urban and stylish atmosphere is a popular reason. At the “Jingu Gaien Icho Festival”, held at the best time, many street stalls are lined up.
| Best time of year | Late November to early December |
| Event | 2019 Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival |
| Address | 1-1 Kasumigaoka-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 10 minutes on foot from Sendagaya Station on the JR Chuo / Sobu Line |
Showa Memorial Park
National Showa Memorial Park, located in Tachikawa City and Akishima City, Tokyo. In the lush garden, many people visit throughout the year, such as enjoying seasonal flowers and enjoying leisure. It has good access from the city center and has been selected as one of the 100 best city parks in Japan.
Ginkgo biloba, which is in full bloom from early November to late November, is particularly popular, and the tree-lined road that has been planted for about 200 meters turns golden. The “Yellow Leaves / Autumn Leaves Festival” is held at the best time, and the lights are also on. You can enjoy a different view from the daytime.
| Best time of year | Mid-November to late November |
| Event | Yellow Leaves / Autumn Leaves Festival 2019 |
| Open | 9: 30-16: 30 * Varies depending on the season |
| Charge | Adult (over 15 years old) 450 yen, dwarf (elementary and junior high school students) free |
| Address | 3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa-city, Tokyo |
| Access | About 2 minutes on foot from JR Ome Line Nishitachikawa Station |
Koshu Kaido(Street)
About 770 ginkgo trees are planted approximately 4 kilometers from the Koshu Kaido Oiwake intersection to the north entrance of Takao Station. It was planted in Showa 4 in commemoration of the Imperial Mausoleum of Taisho Emperor, and it is dyed in a soft pale green in spring and a bright golden color in autumn, delighting the eyes of the people on the road.
It is a popular spot that many people visit during the autumn leaves season because they can enjoy autumn leaves as soon as they get off the station. The best time to see is the “Hachioji Ginkgo Festival” held by the citizens, and it ’s filled with various events such as stalls and parades.
| Best time of year | Mid-November to early November |
| Event | The 40th Memorial Hachioji Ginkgo Festival |
| Address | Takao Town, Hachioji City, Tokyo |
| Access | Close to JR / Keio Takao Line “Takao” Station or JR “Nishi Hachioji” Station |
Marunouchi
There are many spots where you can enjoy ginkgo in Tokyo’s Marunouchi area. “Yukiyuki Street” is a city with a contrast between the buildings in the business district and ginkgo. It is a street that connects the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. You can see ginkgo in a spacious space. Illuminated at night and beautifully combined with the lights of the building.
Wadakura Fountain Park is also a spot where you can enjoy autumn leaves such as ginkgo and zelkova. You can enjoy the scenery of the ginkgo against the backdrop of the Imperial Palace and Marunouchi building. In addition, in Wadakura Pass, where the ginkgo trees planted on both sides of Hibiya Street are stunning, vivid ginkgo trees reflected on the water surface create a beautiful landscape.
| Best time of year | Mid-November to mid-December |
| Address | 3-1 Imperial Gaien, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 5 minutes on foot from JR Tokyo Station |
Yasukuni Shrine
Yasukuni Shrine is located in Kudanshita, Chiyoda-ku. It is popular as one of the most famous autumnal spots in Tokyo. In autumn, the ginkgo on the approach from Otorii to No.2 Torii will change color. You can see beautiful ginkgo biloba shining in the night and shining golden.
The contrast with the stone lanterns along the approach leads to the ginkgo and creates a divine world view. In addition, there are many viewing spots such as the maple autumn leaves from the Shinike Garden and tea house.
| Best time of year | Late November to early December |
| Open | 6: 00〜17: 00 * Depends on the season |
| Address | 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 5 minutes on foot from Kudanshita Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line / Toei Subway Shinjuku Line |
Komazawa Olympic Park
“Komazawa Olympic Park” in Komazawa, Setagaya-ku is a park where jogging courses, sports facilities and playground equipment for the whole family can be enjoyed. It is popular as a place of relaxation for the local people as it is exposed to various scenery and nature throughout the seasons.
Ginkgo is colored from the beginning of November to the beginning of December, and the ginkgo trees along Komazawa Street like a golden tunnel is a must-see.
| Best time of year | Early November to early December |
| Address | 1-1 Komazawa Park, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 15 minutes on foot from Tokyu Denentoshi Line Komazawa University Station |
The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo Hongo Campus boasts a vast site for 11 Tokyo Domes. In the autumn leaves season, the ginkgo trees that run from the main gate to the Yasuda Auditorium shine golden, and you will be impressed by the beauty that you will appreciate.
There is a big ginkgo tree that is a little away from the ginkgo row of trees. There are also statues of Hachiko and Dr. Ueno standing in the Faculty of Agriculture area.
| Best time of year | Late November to early December |
| Address | 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | 1 minute walk from Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line |
Hikarigaoka Park
Hikarigaoka Park in Nerima-ku, Tokyo is a large park with sports facilities and a botanical garden. In the autumn leaves season, the ginkgo trees that are about 200 meters long, the symbol of the park, are dyed in gold.
In addition, you can enjoy beautiful ginkgo trees on the “Fureai no Michi” from Hikarigaoka Station to the park on the Toei Oedo Line. All ginkgo biloba transplanted in front of the old city hall in 1985 is about 130 years old. The powerful beauty of a huge tree that feels history is worth seeing.
| Best time of year | Early November to mid November |
| Address | 4-1-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | 8-minute walk from Hikarigaoka Station on the Toei Oedo Line |
In front of Seijo Gakuen
A row of ginkgo trees in front of Seijo Gakuen, which has been selected as one of the “100 Setagaya 100 Views”. A tall ginkgo towers along the sidewalk in front of the main gate of Seijo Gakuen, and it turns into a ginkgo tunnel colored in the autumn leaves. Because the road is narrow, it feels like it is wrapped in ginkgo.
Also, there are many large ginkgo trees along the same street as the row of trees, and it is designated as a conservation tree. Although the ginkgo tree itself is short, please enjoy the beautiful scenery and atmosphere of Ginkgo that blends into a well-maintained cityscape.
| Best time of year | Late November to early December |
| Address | 6 Seijo, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | Odakyu Electric Railway Odawara Line “Seijo Gakuenmae” station about 6 minutes on foot |
Yoyogi park
Yoyogi Park, located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, is the fifth largest park in the 23 wards, and is a popular spot for its ease of access and various events. Many people visit throughout the year, including those who enjoy exercise and walks, and those who spend a leisurely time.
There are many broad-leaved trees where you can enjoy autumn leaves, such as about 1,000 zelkova trees, about 260 ginkgo trees, and about 100 maple trees. The row of ginkgo trees that spread around the Harajuku gate on the east side is usually in full bloom from late November to early December. Trees line up like a forest, so the ginkgo carpet that is dyed yellow on the whole surface is also wonderful when the leaves fall.
| Best time of year | Late November to early December |
| Address | 2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 3 minutes on foot from JR Harajuku Station and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Yoyogi Koen Station |
