My three favorite autumn spots in Tokyo

It's autumn foliage season in Tokyo already and you can see everywhere trees changing their dresses and becoming yellow/red or already losing all of their leaves. There are many places and parks in Tokyo where you can enjoy the colorful autumn days. Since I've already been to many places I want to introduce my three favorite spots for autumn leaves in Tokyo:

Koshikawa Korakuen Garden
The Koshikawa Korakuen Garden can be found in the heart of Tokyo just next to Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo ward.
The garden was originally built in 1629 by the founder of the Mito branch of Tokugawa. Many Chinese elements can be found in the Koshikawa Korakuen from the adviser Zhu Zhiyu, who helped create the garden's design. The beautiful full moon bridge (Engetsu-kyo) is for sure the most visible sign of that Chinese influence. If you visit the park in the morning you can see a beautiful reflection in the small canal under the bridge.

Also, the name Korakuen was derived from Chinese and means “Worry before all worries in the world and enjoy after all enjoyments in the world”.

Especially during the autumn season Koshikawa Korakuen is very beautiful, when all the Japanese maple trees around the bridges and the huge pond in the middle of the park are turning red.

Access: Iidabashi station (Oedo line, Tozai Line, Yurakucho Line, Namboku Line), Korakuen station (Marunouchi & Namboku Line), Iidabashi & Suidobashi station (JR Line)

Entrance fee: 300 yen (Please note, that using a wheelchair or stroller is not possible in the garden)


Mizumoto Park
Probably, you have never heard of the Mizumoto Park even though it is the largest park in Tokyo. Mizumoto Park lies at the northeastern side of Tokyo just next to the boarder with Chiba Prefecture. Large and small canals drawn from the Koaidame flood control basin run through the park giving it a nice riverside look.

Mizumoto Park has many things to offer for people who love nature and the outdoors, like bird watching, a beautiful Metasequoia forrest, which looks really amazing during the autumn season, sports fields, a camp ground and more.
Since the park is mostly known only to locals you don't have to expect many people there, even during the autumn and cherry blossom season.

Access:
Kanamachi station (JR Joban Line, Chiyoda Line and Keisei Line)
From the station it takes about 20 to 25 minutes on foot. (Approx. 2km). Bus services are also available.


Rikugien Garden
Like Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Rikugien is a kaiyu-style (circuit style) garden with small hills and a huge pond in the middle of the garden. The park was constructed in 1702 by the lord of Kawagoe.

During the autumn foliage season you can join a special event at the Rikugien garden. From the end of November to mid-December the whole garden will be lit up in the evening. Only during that time many trees in Rikugien are specially illuminated in different colors.

It is recommended to go to the light up event at Rikugien during the week and not at the weekend, otherwise it is amazingly crowded. The park has extra long opening hours during that time (until 9 pm).  You can also use the opportunity and visit one of the two tea houses, which offer delicious green tea with a small dessert in a beautiful atmosphere.

Even though the autumn season is one of the best times to visit Rikugien, you can find beautiful flower and plants the whole year around. Absolutely worth a visit!

Access: Komagome station (JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Mero Namboku Line) or Sengoku station (Mita Line)

Entrance fee: 300 yen (Wheelchair & stroller friendly)

Have you visit one of the garden/parks during the autumn season? Did you like it?