Top places to see Tokyo’s fall colors

By Patrick St. Michel, for CNN
4 minute read
Updated 8:46 PM EDT, Wed September 27, 2017
November is the best time to see Tokyo's stunning fall colors, so we've rounded up the capital's most magnificent viewing spots. This shot of Showa Kinen Park's Japanese Garden was taken by Tokyo resident Takashi Hososhima.
Showa Kinen Park —
November is the best time to see Tokyo's stunning fall colors, so we've rounded up the capital's most magnificent viewing spots. This shot of Showa Kinen Park's Japanese Garden was taken by Tokyo resident Takashi Hososhima.
courtesy Takashi Hososhima, creative commons
Located in Tachikawa, a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park has lakes, playgrounds and attractions. It takes a full day to explore.
Showa Kinen Park —
Located in Tachikawa, a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park has lakes, playgrounds and attractions. It takes a full day to explore.
courtesy Patrick St. Michel
Rikugien is one of the capital's most stunning locations in late autumn. The best spot to see fall colors is around the Togetsukyo Bridge (pictured) on the northwest side of the park.
Rikugien Gardens —
Rikugien is one of the capital's most stunning locations in late autumn. The best spot to see fall colors is around the Togetsukyo Bridge (pictured) on the northwest side of the park.
courtesy Kimon Berlin
This avenue inside Meiji Jingu Gaien Park -- in the heart of Tokyo -- is lined with golden gingkos, making it one of the best and easiest places to see autumn foliage.
Icho Namiki Avenue —
This avenue inside Meiji Jingu Gaien Park -- in the heart of Tokyo -- is lined with golden gingkos, making it one of the best and easiest places to see autumn foliage.
courtesy Patrick St. Michel
Next to the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a city center park bursting in fall with red and orange maple trees.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden —
Next to the Tokyo Dome City entertainment complex, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a city center park bursting in fall with red and orange maple trees.
courtesy Naoki Nakashima
Part of the massive Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, Mount Mitake is a 75-minute train ride from the city center, but the beautiful maple foliage is worth the trip.
Mount Mitake —
Part of the massive Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, Mount Mitake is a 75-minute train ride from the city center, but the beautiful maple foliage is worth the trip.
courtesy Guilhem Vellut
A cable car takes visitors halfway up Mount Mitake. From here it's a 30-minute walk to the peak where Musashi-Mitake Shrine (pictured) and a great view await.
Musashi-Mitake Shrine —
A cable car takes visitors halfway up Mount Mitake. From here it's a 30-minute walk to the peak where Musashi-Mitake Shrine (pictured) and a great view await.
Yasufumi Nishi/JNTO
It's a 90-minute hike to the top of Mount Takao. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the top. As with Mount Mitake, there's a cable car service that takes visitors halfway up the hill.
Mount Takao —
It's a 90-minute hike to the top of Mount Takao. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the top. As with Mount Mitake, there's a cable car service that takes visitors halfway up the hill.
courtesy Dick Thomas Johnson
A 50-minute drive away from the city center, Mount Takao is a popular weekend getaway for Tokyoites, especially in November.
Weekend escape —
A 50-minute drive away from the city center, Mount Takao is a popular weekend getaway for Tokyoites, especially in November.
Yasufumi Nishi/JNTO
Tokyo's autumn colors
Tokyo, Japan CNN  — 

Japan’s islands have a long list of places famous for red, yellow and orange foliage. As an urban center, Tokyo might not leap out as a top viewing spot.

However, the nation’s capital has plenty of fantastic places to check out autumn atmosphere, both in the city center and farther afield.

Here’s a roundup of Tokyo’s most magnificent autumn viewing destinations, which are usually at their best in mid- to late-November:

Icho Namiki Avenue

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One of Tokyo’s best spots to take in autumn leaves is right in the city’s downtown area.

Sandwiched between bustling business districts, Icho Namiki Avenue is home to a stretch of gingko trees that are especially breathtaking from late November to early December, when the leaves turn a bold yellow.

The avenue is great for a walk, but you can take a seat at the Royal Garden Cafe to enjoy the leaves as well as the snacks baked in the shop.

From November 14 to December 6, a festival celebrates the season, with goods for sale from across Japan and street performers.

How to get there: A five-minute walk from Aoyama-Itchome Station or six-minute walk from Gaienmae Station.

Rikugien Gardens

Built in the early 1700