What to see in Tokyo? In our Japan photo tour, of course, we’ll head to the capital’s most beautiful parks to photograph the momiji season. Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Yoyogi in autumn each show a different face of Tokyo — and all three are magical when the maple leaves turn red, orange, and gold.
Ueno Park is lively and energetic, where autumn feels especially bright. The ginkgo-lined paths turn into golden tunnels filled with families, students, locals, and travelers with cameras. Red maples reflect in the ponds, while old temples and tea houses peek out behind the fiery foliage. It’s always busy here, but that’s what creates the celebratory atmosphere — it feels as though the whole city has come out to welcome autumn.
Shinjuku Gyoen is the opposite — quiet, balanced, almost meditative. It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Shinjuku. Here you can truly feel Japanese harmony: manicured lawns, ponds with arched bridges, traditional teahouses. During momiji, the garden becomes a painting — bright red maples, golden ginkgo trees, and evergreen pines form a perfect palette. For a photographer, this place is all about clean compositions, serene reflections, and subtle details: leaves resting on stone, a single branch over the water, a red canopy glowing in the sun.
Yoyogi Park is the freest and most "bohemian" of the three. In autumn, people picnic under the yellow ginkgoes and red maples. Musicians play guitars, dancers practice right on the paths. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly — like a never-ending open-air festival. Shooting in Yoyogi is about people in the midst of vibrant autumn: friends on a blanket, children tossing leaves, spontaneous portraits in warm golden light.
These three parks each have their own mood, but in all of them autumn makes Tokyo feel especially warm and beautiful. Ueno is about life and tradition, Shinjuku Gyoen is about harmony and aesthetics, and Yoyogi is about freedom and joy. Together, they offer the full experience of momiji in the big city.