Ueno in Autumn: A Tapestry of Color and Culture
When I walk through Ueno Park in November, I can feel the arrival of autumn. Yellow ginkgo leaves have fallen on the path, making a rustling sound with each step. Ueno Park is a place where you can suddenly feel the changing seasons while in the middle of the city.
I first realized the beauty of autumn in Ueno during my student days. It all started when I was captivated by the autumn foliage of Shinobazu Pond on my way back from visiting museums. Since then, I've made it a habit to visit every autumn.
The charm of autumn in Ueno isn't just about nature. There are various ways to enjoy it, including delicious seasonal food and fun events.
In this article, I'll introduce some of my recommended foliage spots, autumn gourmet spots, and interesting events. Why don't you join me in enjoying Tokyo's autumn in Ueno?
Table of Contents
・Autumn Scenic Spots in Ueno Park
・Autumn Gourmet Spots in Ueno
・Autumn Events and Festivals to Enjoy in Ueno
・Precautions for Enjoying Autumn in Ueno
Autumn Scenic Spots in Ueno Park
While Ueno Park is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring, it also has many notable spots for autumn foliage. Here, I'll introduce some of my recommended scenic spots that I've visited many times.
Best Time to See Autumn Foliage in Ueno
The autumn foliage in Ueno Park is typically at its best from mid-November to early December. During this period, the entire park is painted in red and yellow, presenting a very beautiful scenery.
Shinobazu Pond
Shinobazu Pond is one of the most beautiful autumn foliage spots in Ueno Park. As you walk around the pond, you'll encounter a spectacular view of autumn leaves reflected on the water surface. Especially at dusk, the red and golden leaves reflected on the water surface blend with the color of the sky, creating a fantastical landscape.
My recommendation is to enjoy the autumn foliage from a boat on the lake. The time spent slowly moving across the water surface while viewing the autumn leaves along with the water birds makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
Takeno-dai Square
Takeno-dai Square is one of the most open spaces in Ueno Park. Trees with autumn foliage line up around the central fountain, giving you the illusion of being in the midst of nature.
The night view with illumination is particularly spectacular. The contrast between the fountain's water spray and the autumn leaves creates a fantastical atmosphere. It's also popular as an Instagram-worthy spot, with many people bringing cameras.
It has become a tradition for me to take commemorative photos here with my friends every year against the backdrop of autumn leaves. Takeno-dai Square, which shows completely different expressions during the day and night, is an attractive spot that can be enjoyed all day long.
Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple
Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple is a place where you can particularly feel the history within Ueno Park. The highlight is the scenery created by the architectural beauty of the temple, which has continued since the Edo period, and the vivid autumn leaves.
What I particularly like is the quietness when I visit early in the morning. The temple and autumn leaves emerging from the morning mist create a mystical atmosphere.
This is also an ideal spot for commemorative photos with autumn leaves in the background. The beauty of Tokyo's traditional architecture and nature captured in a single photograph will surely become a good memory of your trip.
Website: https://kiyomizu.kaneiji.jp/
Statue of Saigo Takamori
The statue of Saigo Takamori, a key figure in Tokyo's modern history, is an iconic presence in Ueno Park. The historical bronze statue standing against a backdrop of autumn leaves tells the story of Tokyo's modernization.
The scene of the bronze statue illuminated by the setting sun with autumn leaves in the background is particularly spectacular, especially at dusk. You can enjoy a unique atmosphere that can't be experienced elsewhere, where the weight of history and the beauty of nature merge.
Garden of the Tokyo National Museum
The garden of the Tokyo National Museum is a special space within Ueno Park. Here, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the beauty of Japanese gardens intertwined with autumn leaves.
I also recommend taking a stroll in the garden after enjoying the museum's exhibits. After learning about Tokyo's history and culture, experiencing the changing seasons in an actual Japanese garden will lead to a deeper understanding of Tokyo and Japanese culture.
Website: https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en
Autumn Gourmet Spots in Ueno
The charm of autumn in Ueno is not only to be enjoyed with the eyes but also with the tongue. Ueno, a treasure trove of autumn flavors, offers dishes and sweets using sweet potatoes and chestnuts, as well as exquisite dishes using seasonal ingredients such as matsutake mushrooms and Pacific saury.
What surprises me every time I visit Ueno is the abundance of "limited-time menus" offered at restaurants in commercial facilities. These menus are all masterpieces filled with the chefs' ingenuity, using that year's seasonal ingredients.
Here, I'll introduce some recommended spots where I've visited many times to enjoy the flavors of autumn.
Ueno Marui
Source: Google Map by Xin
Ueno Marui is a shopping mall located right near Ueno Station and is an ideal spot for gourmet hunting. Restaurants and sweets shops are scattered on the basement floor, first floor, and ninth floor, allowing you to enjoy various autumn flavors at once.
What I particularly recommend is the sweets corner on the first floor. Here, seasonal limited sweets using chestnuts and sweet potatoes are lined up, making it hard to decide what to choose.
Also, at the restaurant area on the ninth floor, you can enjoy a wide range of menus from Japanese to Western cuisine using autumn ingredients such as matsutake mushrooms.
The charm of Ueno Marui is that it's easy to drop by. I recommend stopping by before or after enjoying the autumn leaves in Ueno Park to enjoy the flavors of autumn.
Website: https://www.0101.co.jp/058/
PARCO_ya Ueno
Source: Google Map by Parco_ya Ueno
PARCO_ya Ueno is a shopping mall located about a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station, and I recommend it for those who want to enjoy more sophisticated autumn gourmet. There are cafes on each floor, and there's a restaurant area on the 6th floor. I get the impression that the gourmet offerings are more refined than at Ueno Marui.
What I particularly like is the restaurant area on the 6th floor. Here, restaurants of various genres such as Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine are gathered. In autumn, each store offers autumn-limited menus with their own unique twists, making it a true treasure trove of autumn flavors.
There are also many cafes, so I recommend dropping by for a break during your Ueno sightseeing.
Website: https://parcoya-ueno.parco.jp/en/
Autumn Events and Festivals to Enjoy in Ueno
Autumn in Ueno is bustling not only with the beauty of nature but also with various events and festivals. I'll introduce two events that I particularly look forward to.
Salsa Street
Source: Salsa Street Official Website
Salsa Street is an event held in Ueno Park themed around salsa music, salsa dance, and salsa cuisine. Caribbean and Latin American cultures blend together, creating an exotic space in Ueno Park in autumn.
The charm of the event lies not only in the dance performances but also in the many food trucks and stalls lined up at the venue, where you can enjoy authentic Latin cuisine. When I participated before, tacos were my favorite.
Ueno, centered around Ameyoko, has an international atmosphere. I think this event, where you can feel Latin passion in Ueno Park in autumn, is truly representative of Ueno's international character.
Website: https://wsavannast.com/events/salsa-street/
Sakaya Kakuchi Festival
The Sakaya Kakuchi Festival is a Japanese sake event held in Ueno Park. "Kakuchi" originally refers to standing and drinking in a corner of a liquor store, but this event recreates that atmosphere throughout Ueno Park.
When I participated before, it was a chilly autumn day, but the moment I stepped into the venue, I was enveloped in a lively atmosphere. You can enjoy Japanese sake, shochu, wine, beer, and more carefully selected by liquor store professionals, who are experts in alcohol, in a stand-up drinking style.
The gourmet booths that pair well with the drinks are also plentiful. I was able to enjoy a variety of dishes, from regional specialties to creative dishes using seasonal ingredients. Everything paired particularly well with Japanese sake, and I ended up staying longer than I intended.
In 2024, it will be held from November 15th to 17th. Enjoying fine sake from all over Japan while viewing the beautiful scenery of Ueno Park during the autumn foliage season - there's no more luxurious way to spend autumn than this.
Website: https://kakufes.com/en/
Precautions for Enjoying Autumn in Ueno
While autumn in Ueno is attractive, there are a few points to keep in mind to enjoy it to the fullest. By considering these points when making your plans, you can have a more fulfilling autumn experience in Ueno.
It Gets Crowded During the Autumn Foliage Season
The autumn foliage season in Ueno Park is very popular due to its beauty, and it's expected to be crowded. It's especially bustling with tourists and locals on weekends and holidays. From my experience, I'll share some advice on how to avoid these crowds.
First, I recommend visiting early in the morning if possible. I've visited Ueno Park several times right after sunrise, and the scenery of autumn leaves wrapped in morning mist was exceptional. Also, there were fewer people, allowing me to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Next, consider visiting on weekdays. It's less crowded compared to weekends, allowing you to enjoy the autumn leaves in a more relaxed atmosphere. I've taken days off work to visit on weekdays before, and I was able to savor the beauty of the autumn leaves at a leisurely pace in the slow flow of time.
However, recent tourist spots in Tokyo tend to be crowded all the time. Therefore, it's best to be prepared for some level of crowds when visiting.
Also, be considerate of others during crowded times. Be careful not to obstruct others when taking photos, and I recommend walking slowly to enjoy the scenery.
The Best Time to See Autumn Leaves Varies Each Year
The autumn leaves in Ueno Park are typically at their best from mid-November to early December. However, this is just a rough estimate, and the timing of autumn leaves varies depending on the weather conditions of that year. I look forward to the autumn leaves in Ueno Park every year, but I've realized that the best viewing time can differ greatly from year to year.
For example, last year, the autumn leaves were delayed compared to usual due to the warm winter. On the other hand, if there's a strong cold wave, the best viewing time might end as early as November.
As the best time to see autumn leaves is greatly affected by weather conditions, it's important to check information in advance. I recommend frequently checking the official Ueno Park website and tourism sites that provide autumn leaf information for Tokyo. These sites regularly update the progress of autumn leaves and predicted best viewing times.
Social media is also an effective source of information. By searching for "Ueno Park" on Instagram or X, you can see the latest posts from people who have actually visited. By comprehensively judging this information, you can determine the optimal visiting time for that year.
Autumn in Ueno is a season that can be enjoyed with all five senses, woven together by the beauty of nature, rich food culture, and vibrant events.
Strolling through Ueno Park adorned with autumn leaves, savoring seasonal flavors at gourmet spots, and experiencing a variety of internationally flavored events. These experiences offer precious opportunities to feel the changing seasons while in the city.
Please use this article as a reference to fully enjoy autumn in Ueno!
