Autumn in Ueno Park & Fall Foliage Spots 2024: Ueno's 10 Best Places
Ueno, located in Taito Ward, is famous for Ueno Zoo, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno Onshi Park (ueno onshi koen), and the lively drinking district of Ameyoko (ameyoko). With numerous landmarks scattered throughout, it's one of Tokyo's most popular tourist spots. It's conveniently accessible from Asakusa, another popular tourist destination, making it perfect for combined sightseeing.
Did you know that Ueno Onshi Park, highly rated among tourists, is renowned as one of Japan's premier autumn foliage spots? Along with the ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien (meijijinnguugaien) and Shinjuku Gyoen (shinjukugyoen), it's a prime fall viewing location that becomes increasingly crowded as temperatures drop.
The shrines, temples, museums, and art galleries within the park are beautifully adorned with fall colors, offering scenic views. This article will thoroughly explain the highlights and ways to enjoy Ueno Park during the autumn foliage season.
Ueno Onshi Park: Tokyo's Premier Fall Foliage Spot Bustling with Tourists Every Autumn
Ueno Onshi Park is one of Tokyo's finest spots for viewing autumn colors, drawing numerous visitors each fall. As temperatures begin to drop, green leaves start turning yellow, then transform through orange to red. When the fall colors reach their peak, so does tourist attendance.
Different trees change colors at varying rates, allowing visitors to enjoy a gradient of yellow, orange, and red foliage depending on the timing. The colors also evolve with temperature changes, making you want to visit daily to witness the ever-changing autumn scenery.
Ueno Park's Fall Foliage Boasts Unmatched Scale and Impact Among Tokyo's Autumn Spots
Source: Tokyo Kensetsukyoku
The autumn colors at Ueno Onshi Park offer an impressive scale unmatched by other Tokyo fall spots. Spanning 530,000 square meters, the park features multiple foliage viewing spots perfect for leisurely strolls. This precious season allows visitors to enjoy fall colors alongside famous landmarks like Shinobazu Pond , Ueno Toshogu Shrine (uenotoushougu), the Five-Storied Pagoda (gojunoto), Tokyo National Museum, and the Saigo Takamori (saigo takamori) statue, making it extremely popular among photographers.
The combination of tourist attractions and fall foliage creates a powerful, life-affirming spectacle that visitors highly praise. These special seasonal views are absolutely must-see.
Best Season for Ueno Park's Fall Colors: "Mid to Late November"
The prime viewing period for autumn foliage at Ueno Onshi Park is typically from mid to late November. The leaves begin changing rapidly as temperatures drop.
While the park contains various plants, the ones that display fall colors include ginkgo, cherry trees, wax trees, maple trees, and tulip trees. The maple trees in front of the Haiseiden (haiseden) typically change color first, making them a good indicator for planning your visit.
However, foliage conditions can vary depending on the year's climate, so please check weather forecasts and autumn leaves reports before your visit.
I'll translate this article about autumn spots in Ueno, maintaining all the important information including links and tourist details.
5 Must-Visit Spectacular Fall Foliage Spots in Ueno Park
Autumn Leaves at Shinobazu Pond
Let me introduce 5 must-visit spectacular autumn spots in Ueno Onshi Park that you shouldn't miss when visiting Ueno.
First is the fall foliage at Shinobazu Pond. This pond, located in the southern part of the park, has a circumference of about 2 kilometers and is home to various wildlife including birds, fish, and turtles.
The autumn colors viewable from Shinobazu Pond include cherry trees, ginkgo, zelkova, and Japanese maple. While enjoying the fall colors from the walkway alongside the pond is wonderful, my recommendation is to view them while riding a boat. Viewing the autumn foliage from the pond offers a uniquely different atmosphere from viewing on land, making it an innovative momijigari (autumn leaf viewing) experience.
My recommended photo spot is a composition with the boat dock in the center and Tokyo Skytree on the right. The collaboration between the natural fall colors and this urban symbol creates a stunning view that will captivate you.
Tourist Information:
- Address: 5-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 8:30-17:30
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3828-5644
Ueno Toshogu Shrine and Fall Foliage
Source: Tripadvisor
The second spot is Ueno Toshogu Shrine and its autumn leaves. Ueno Toshogu Shrine, built in 1627, is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu (the founder of the Edo Shogunate) and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The fall foliage viewable from Ueno Toshogu includes ginkgo and maple trees. The highlight is the contrast between the vivid colors of the yellow ginkgo leaves, the red maple leaves, and the serene atmosphere of the shrine. The landscape created by these opposing impressions is spectacular, offering visitors the true essence of autumn's splendor.
For photography, it's recommended to compose your shot with part of the Toshogu Shrine on the right and the yellow foliage on the left. Since the ginkgo trees are smaller than the shrine, capturing the shrine in a smaller frame will result in a well-balanced photograph.
Tourist Information:
- Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:00-17:30
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3822-3455
- Official Website: https://www.uenotoshogu.com/
Kaneiji Temple Five-Story Pagoda and Fall Foliage
Source: TAITO Odekake Navi
The third spot is the Kaneiji Five-Story Pagoda and its autumn leaves. The pagoda stands 36 meters tall with a five-layer structure and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The pagoda is surrounded by ginkgo and maple trees. The highlight is the collaboration between this historical structure and the fall colors. Viewing the autumn leaves alongside this Edo-period building creates a sensation of traveling back in time to old Japan.
The pagoda's height makes it visible from various spots, allowing for diverse photography opportunities. Why not explore the park and find your perfect shot?
Tourist Information:
- Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:30-17:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Phone: 03-3828-5171
Tokyo National Museum and Fall Foliage
Source: ORICON NEWS
The fourth spot is the Tokyo National Museum and its autumn colors. The Tokyo National Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits cultural properties including Japanese and Oriental art pieces and archaeological artifacts.
At the Tokyo National Museum, you can enjoy the fall foliage from the garden on the north side of the main building. The viewable autumn leaves include ginkgo, Japanese maple, and maple trees. The garden has benches where visitors can relax while appreciating the fall colors, making these spots highly sought after during autumn.
My recommended photo spot is a composition with the pond in the foreground and fall foliage on both sides. The bright red maples reflect on the pond's surface, creating high-impact photos. The view is picturesque and extremely photogenic.
Tourist Information:
- Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:30-17:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 050-5541-8600
- Official Website: https://www.tnm.jp/
Saigo Takamori Statue and Fall Foliage
The final spot is the Saigo Takamori statue and its autumn leaves. The bronze statue was erected in Ueno, a place connected to Saigo, to honor his achievements as a key figure in the Meiji Restoration (the reform that transformed Japan from the feudal shogunate system to a centralized state).
The fall foliage visible around the Saigo statue includes ginkgo and maple trees. For photography, it's recommended to compose your shot with the large ginkgo tree directly behind the statue as the focal point. The vibrant yellow leaves make the statue appear more dynamic and enhance its beauty.
On clear days, the contrast between the blue sky and yellow autumn leaves is spectacular, allowing even beginners to capture professional-looking photos. Try visiting on a cloudless day for the best results.
Tourist Information:
- Address: 1 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 5:00-23:00
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3828-5644
- Official Website: None
This translation maintains all the essential information about these beautiful autumn spots in Ueno, perfect for tourists looking to experience fall colors in Tokyo. Each location offers unique opportunities to appreciate the contrast between historic architecture and vibrant fall foliage, making them must-visit destinations during autumn.
3 Popular Autumn Foliage Spots Rivaling Ueno Park in Tokyo
Tokyo has many popular tourist spots during the fall foliage season. Here are three classic autumn spots that rival Ueno Park.
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
The ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien features 146 ginkgo trees planted at 9-meter intervals along a 300-meter path. The leaves typically begin turning yellow in mid-November, reaching their peak in late November.
The highlight is walking through the golden tunnel formed by the ginkgo trees at their peak. The entire area glows with a golden brilliance that perfectly embodies the word "spectacular." The fallen golden leaves create what's known as a "yellow carpet," making you feel like you're walking through a movie scene.
Tourist Information:
- Address: Near 2-chome, Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3401-0312
- Official Website: http://www.meijijingugaien.jp/walk/sight/season.html
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Park offers autumn colors ranging from yellow to red across its 160,000 square meters, featuring ginkgo trees, dogwoods, and Japanese maples. The best viewing time is typically from late November to early December.
The highlight is the ginkgo-lined "S-shaped pathway," which has maintained its original design since the park's opening in 1903. As you walk along this unique S-shaped path, the changing angles of sunlight create various expressions in the yellow foliage.
Why not enjoy the changing autumn leaves in Hibiya Park, an oasis in the heart of Tokyo?
Tourist Information:
- Address: 1-6 Hibiya Park, Chiyoda-ku
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 03-3501-6428
- Official Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/hibiya/index.html
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen showcases autumn foliage from ginkgo trees, maples, and metasequoia across its vast 580,000 square meters. The peak viewing season is typically from late November to mid-December.
The highlight is the spectacular illumination event held from 18:00-22:00 during a limited period. The lighting of Momiji-yama (Maple Mountain) and the sycamore avenue, among the park's most popular spots for autumn foliage, creates a magical atmosphere. The illuminated fall colors in the darkness create a wonderful ambiance, making this my favorite spot for autumn leaf viewing.
The park also features projection mapping, adding a modern touch to the experience.
Tourist Information:
- Address: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku
- Hours: 9:00-16:00 (18:00-22:00 during illumination period)
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone: 03-3350-0151
- Official Website: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/
Many Spots to Enjoy Along with Autumn Foliage in Ueno Park
Ueno Zoo
Ueno Park has many scattered spots that are worth enjoying alongside the fall colors. First is the Ueno Zoo, which is popular with everyone from children to adults.
Ueno Zoo is Japan's first urban zoo, home to about 3,000 animals of 300 different species. The zoo is largely divided into two areas: East Garden and West Garden. The East Garden features elephants, gorillas, tigers, and Japan's first monkey mountain, while the West Garden houses pandas, a vivarium, and the Children's Zoo STEP where visitors can interact with animals - making it a treasure trove of attractions.
The zoo grounds are planted with many plants and flowers, and being close to nature is another highlight. I've visited many times myself, and it's always soothing to observe the relaxed animals in their nature-rich environment.
<Tourist Information>
- Address: 9-83 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:30-17:00
- Closed: Irregular
- Phone: 03-3828-5171
- Official Website: https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/ueno/
TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM
Source: FASHION PRESS
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is Japan's first national art museum and leads Japanese art through initiatives like operating a public submission art library.
The biggest highlight is that it hosts about 280 exhibitions annually, including both in-house planned exhibitions and public submission exhibitions by art groups. The special exhibitions allow visitors to casually enjoy masterpieces from both Japan and abroad, making it an irresistible facility for art lovers.
I never fail to check the exhibition schedule on the official website and visit during the periods of exhibitions that interest me. When visiting Ueno Park, please take the opportunity to experience Japanese art.
<Tourist Information>
- Address: 8-36 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:30-17:30
- Closed: 1st & 3rd Monday
- Phone: 03-3823-6921
- Official Website: https://www.tobikan.jp/
National Museum of Nature and Science
Source: Wikipedia
The National Museum of Nature and Science, opened in 1877, is one of Japan's most historic museums. The permanent exhibition features about 25,000 items spanning from ancient dinosaurs to the latest scientific technology - so much that it can't be fully explored in just one day.
The dinosaur zone is a must-see attraction. You can thoroughly examine dinosaur skeleton reconstructions and fossils of impressive scale. I've visited many times, and I'm always overwhelmed by the faithfully recreated models that look like they could start moving at any moment.
The museum is packed with exhibits that spark curiosity. Please take this opportunity to learn about Earth's history alongside valuable materials.
<Tourist Information>
- Address: 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
- Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Phone: 050-5541-8600
- Official Website: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/