Autumn Guide Autumn MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 8 07/09/2018 10:35 The Magic of Autumn in Tokyo ivid reds, fiery oranges, of Japanese Maple trees, known as brilliant yellows: every momiji. The city’s autumnal palette year, as the summer is brightened further by bursts of temperatures drop and yellow and orange from ginkgo, poplar winter edges closer, and planes as well Japanese horse Tokyo is ablaze with chestnut, zelkova and beech trees. a dazzling array of Perhaps best of all? Autumn is Vautumn shades. one of the most pleasant seasons to Japan’s annual autumn show visit Tokyo: picture cloudless blue begins in northern Hokkaido around skies, warm sunshine, a freshness in mid-September, before gently nudging the air – and of course a fiery display towards southernmost Okinawa – with of autumn leaves. Tokyo typically enjoying its moment But it is not just about looking in the autumn spotlight from mid- pretty. Just like the arrival of springtime November to early December. cherry blossoms, Japan’s appreciation And upon arrival, the fiery foliage of autumn foliage is deeply rooted in its is visible throughout the city – in cultural and spiritual heritage. parks, the Imperial Palace gardens, It was over a thousand years ago along tree-lined streets and even on that Kyoto’s aristocratic courtiers first restaurant plates where leaves appear embarked on mountain excursions as seasonal adornments. to appreciate the fleeting beauty There is, of course, a special of autumn leaves, inspiring poetry Japanese word for this autumn and philosophical ruminations alike phenomenon: koyo, which literally (11th century novel The Tale of Genji translates as “red leaves” but more describes such activities). widely means the nationwide art of Fast-forward a number of centuries appreciating the changing hues of to modern-day Tokyo - and those who autumn leaves. are fortunate enough to witness the Tokyo’s most famed foliage are city’s vibrant displays of autumn foliage the delicately-edged vermillion leaves are likely to be just as inspired. MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 1 07/09/2018 10:35 Tokyo’s Top Autumn Spots 02 03 Imperial Palace Hama-rikyu 01 East Gardens Gardens Hibiya Park OTEMACHI SHIODOME HIBIYA The royal gardens The teahouse gardens The urban park There are perhaps few more picturesque spots to contemplate the beauty of the city’s autumn leaves than within the regal and historic confines of the East Gardens of the This urban treasure Imperial Palace – home These expansive trove provides a taste of to castle foundation gardens, located next to autumn in the heart of relics, wide walkways Tokyo Bay and fringed the city (its neighbours and a sea of fiery leaves by skyscrapers, turn a range from the Imperial crowned by distant vivid shade of crimson Palace to government skyscrapers. For full every autumn, thanks offices). A highlight? The foliage effect, head to the to its countless maple impressionistic red, wooded Ninomaru area. trees. Spanning the orange and brown grounds of a 17th century leaves that surround Tokyo residence, they a serene pond plus offer a perfect taste of its vivid ginkgo-lined traditional Japan in the walkways. heart of the city (quite literally: a pond-side Hibiya Station (Hibiya, teahouse serves matcha Chiyoda, Toei Mita lines); Ka- green tea). sumigaseki Station (Hibiya, Marunouchi, Chiyoda lines); Yurakucho Station (Yura- Otemachi Station (Chiyoda, kucho, JR Keihin-Tohoku, JR Tozai, Marunouchi, Hanzo- Shiodome Station (Yurika- Yamanote lines) mon, Toei Mita lines) mome, Toei Oedo lines) MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 2 07/09/2018 10:35 04 05 06 Rikugien Garden Meijijingu Gaien Shinjuku Gyoen KOMAGOME GAIENMAE National Garden The poetic park The tree-lined avenue SHINJYUKU The elegant gardens It’s not just about its baseball stadium and park at Meijijingu Gaien – revel in its impressive 300-metre avenue, elegantly lined with more than 100 ginkgo Exquisitely maintained trees which burst into and pretty as a painting, a vivid shade of yellow Rikugien is a “strolling every autumn (ginkgo, This peaceful inner-city garden” created called icho in Japanese, spot – a former garden more than 300 years is Tokyo’s official tree). of the Imperial family ago by a samurai (its So famed is the avenue – feels a million miles name translates as Six that an autumnal festival from the skyscrapers Principles of Poetry). A takes places beneath and neon of nearby walk along its winding the trees every year, with Shinjuku. It’s not only paths – past a pond and food stalls and events. home to English, French stone lanterns – offers and Japanese gardens, an intimate showcase of there are also an Japan’s most beautiful impressive 20,000- seasonal leaves. And an plus trees. Transformed extra treat? During peak annually into expanses autumn leaf season, trees of reds, oranges and are lit up after dark. yellows, it’s nirvana for autumn foliage lovers. Gaienmae Station (Ginza Komagome Station (JR line); Aoyama-itchome Sta- Yamanote, Namboku lines); tion (Ginza, Hanzomon, Toei Sengoku Station (Toei Mita Oedo lines); Shinanomachi Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station line) Station (JR Chuo, Sobu lines) (Marunouchi line) MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 3 07/09/2018 10:35 07 08 09 Yoyogi Park Koishikawa UENO Park YOYOGI Korakuen UENO The lively park KORAKUEN The cultural park The historic gardens Located just minutes from Perhaps Tokyo’s most the colourful Harajuku famous park, it’s home to district, Yoyogi Park is a a cornucopia of culture sprawling, green space – from museums and that showcases not only galleries to temples and a microcosm of Tokyo’s lotus ponds (there’s even street culture – but also a zoo). But every autumn, some exquisite inner-city its foliage steals the autumn foliage. Bypass One of Tokyo’s most show – with countless the picnics and bongo historic gardens, walkways and spacious drumming of its central meticulously-designed tree-lined paths making green lawns and instead Koishikawa Korakuen it the perfect spot for an admire the fiery maples offers an intimate autumnal stroll. and ginkgo trees on its escape from the modern southern edges. world with its winding walkways and scenic spots. And it is arguably at its most beautiful in autumn – when its ponds fringed with dozens of maple trees are transformed into a dazzling reflected display of shades of scarlet. Harajuku Station (JR Ueno Station (Ginza, Hibiya, Yamanote line); Meiji- Iidabashi Station (JR Chuo, JR Yamanote, JR Utsunomiya, jingumae Station (Chiyoda, JR Sobu, Tozai, Yurakucho, JR Takasaki, JR Keihin- Fukutoshin lines) Namboku, Toei Oedo lines) Tohoku, JR Joban lines) MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 4 07/09/2018 10:35 Facts and tips Weather Watch Shrine Time Moon Viewing Expect mild Look out for young Autumn in Japan goes temperatures with children dressed in hand in hand with rich sunny, fresh blue skies kimono in local shrines cultural traditions – during Tokyo’s pleasant celebrating Shichi-Go- among them, otsukimi autumn months. And San – a rite of passage moon viewing. The while timings fluctuate for girls aged three autumn moon is yearly, late November is and seven, plus boys typically celebrated on generally a good time to aged five, traditionally two separate days in visit for leaf lovers. celebrated by families September and October around 15 November. (depending on the year), while enjoying special dango dumplings. Culture Spot Autumn Festival Just minutes from the hotel is Suigian, a Autumn coincides with discreet, elegant and Nihonbashi-Kyobashi intimate venue where Matsuri – a lively festival Tokyo’s Tree visitors can indulge in that unfolds on the a rare treat: traditional hotel’s doorstep in the Japan’s capital has Japanese theatre historic Nihonbashi its own official tree: performances – from Noh neighbourhood (an area the ginkgo – icho in to Kyogen – on a cypress famed as the birthplace Japanese – whose wood stage. Performances of Tokyo). In addition to fan-like yellow leaves (helpfully explained in countless snack stalls, form a T-shape (just like English) are accompanied a colourful parade of Tokyo) and famously light by an exquisite seasonal traditional dancers also up countless avenues, sushi feast – or Japanese performs along the main streets and parks during drinks and cocktails after street Chuo Dori. the autumn months. dark. 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-8328 Japan Tel: +81 (0)3 3270-8800 | mandarinoriental.com MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 5 07/09/2018 10:35 Map Autumn spots Tokyo landmarks Komagome Sugamo 04 04 09 07 Ueno 08 08 Asakusa Korakuen Iidabashi Suidobashi 01 Shinjuku 02 Mandarin 03 Oriental, Shinjuku- Tokyo 06 gyoenmae Mitsukoshimae Otemachi Tokyo 06 05 01 05 Hibiya 07 Harajuku Gaienmae Shimbashi Roppongi 03 09 Shiodome 02 Shibuya Shibakoen Hamamatsucho MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 6 07/09/2018 10:35 Autumn spots Landmarks Tokyo landmarks 04 07 01 Tokyo Skytree Ueno Toshogu Tokyo Metropolitan Standing 634 A 17th century Shinto Government metres tall, it shrine in Ueno Park, was the world’s dedicated to the memory Buildings tallest tower when of historic shogun Twin tower completed in Tokugawa Ieyasu structure 2012, according in Shinjuku to Guinness World with free Records observation decks 05 08 02 Meiji Jingu Senso-ji An elegant Shinto shrine Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist Tokyo Tower surrounded by forest just temple in the Asakusa Iconic tower, minutes from Harajuku district completed in 1958, stands 333 metres tall in Shibakoen 09 03 06 Shibuya Imperial Palace Nihonbashi Bridge Retail district famed for Home to the Emperor and The birthplace of Tokyo its neon, young crowds Empress, surrounded by and the centre of Japan, and packed crossing forested parkland both historically and culturally MO_seasonal_guide_02_01.indd 7 07/09/2018 10:35.