EARLY Autumn Colors in Kiyosumi Garden, Tokyo, Japan

Middle November is a little too early for the peak of autumn leaves in Tokyo City, but did you know that there are red and yellow leaves? Just as there are early kinds of cherry blossoms, there are leaves that turn red earlier than maple leaves. This time, I’d like to share them with you.

I am reporting Kiyosumi Garden, which is a new Japanese garden on Tokyo Direct Diary. I am uploading as many photos as I can, and the practical visitor information is at the bottom. Enjoy Japanese autumn on TDD!

Kiyosumi Garden is a typical Japanese garden whose designs were used by samurais. Now it is loved by both of international travelers and Japanese locals living nearby.

The red leaves are haze ( = Japanese wax tree. Thank you, Wikipedia), which turns red earlier than maple leaves.

So beautiful, aren’t they? Some people even say that haze is redder than maple leaves!

Kiyosumi Garden is one of the samurai-made Japanese gardens where you will go around the pond. As you stroll, the picturesque views endlessly change like a kaleidoscope.

What is interesting in Kiyosumi Garden is that there are some stone steps in the pond that we can walk on. So… the natural result is that some visitors DROP INTO THE POND.

According to the board, there are around ten “swimmers” every year. There was even a haiku contest to raise awareness! Do you want to have a conversation in the following at home?

You: I visited a Japanese garden in Tokyo.

Your Friend: Nice! Was it beautiful?

You: It was cold.

Friend: Cold? What do you mean?

You: I dropped into the pond.

Obviously, it is NOT COOL, so please watch your steps – especially when you find something beautiful and try to take a picture.

The pond is quite large. In addition, there are always so many water birds in Kiyosumi Garden. In my opinion, Kiyosumi Garden has the largest number of water birds of the Japanese gardens in Tokyo.

Tokyo Skytree is seen from Kiyosumi Garden.

The house seen beyond the pond is a cafe. Remember that you can have a cup of matcha and some Japanese sweets there although the room is not a traditional one like that in Rikugien Garden.

There are always false starter in the nature. The maple trees around the cafe were full of red leaves on 12 November!

…Seeing only these photos, it looks like the peak of red maple leaves, but they are happy lucky maple trees who are standing in a spot with a lot of sunshine.

Make sure that the peak of red maple leaves is late November to early December in Tokyo City.

But you CAN explore Japanese autumn in the middle of November as well.

Hope you enjoyed Kiyosumi Garden on Tokyo Direct Diary!

Want to see MORE Autumn Colors?

Autumn Leaves in Rikugien Garden – A large Japanese garden in Tokyo City which is famous for autumn colors, especially the huge maple tree. There are traditional matcha cafes!

Autumn Leaves in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden – One of the best autumn colors spots in Tokyo. Red maple leaves around the pond are so beautiful!

Autumn in Kamakura – In my opinion, Kamakura is the best day trip destination from Tokyo. See the Great Buddha with red and yellow leaves!

Visitor Information of Kiyosumi Garden

Opening Hours

9:00 – 17:00 (Admission by 16:30)

Closed on 29, 30, 31 December and 1 January.

Admission Fees

150 yen for Adult, Free for Children in elementary school or younger

How to Get to Kiyosumi Garden

Take Hanzomon or Oedo Subway Line to Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station. It is a 3 minute walk to the garden.

Insider’s Tip: If you are in Shibuya, just jump onto a Hanozomon Subway Like train. No need to change trains.

Insider’s Tip: If you are in Shinjuku, just jump onto an Oedo Subway Line train. So simple.

Insider’s Tip: If you are not sure where to catch a Hanzomon or Oedo Subway Line train, just go to Tokyo Station, the very central station of Tokyo. Otemachi Station is connected to Tokyo Station, and Hanzomon Line stops at Otemachi. In case you are in Ginza district, go to Mitsukoshi-mae Station of Ginza Subway Line first, and change trains into Hanzomon Line there.

See The Easiest Subway Maps of Tokyo by Tokyo Direct Guide