DSy9c

escapesFINDINGFALLCOLORSExperience the kōyōin TokyoBY HELEN LANGFORDEach of Japan’s four seasons has its own distinct“must-see” natural wonder. Fall’s principalnatural delight—changing leaves, or kōyō—ison display from October to December, andlasts long enough for even the busiest foliagefans to get in some leaf time. Location playsa part in how early or late the leaves change,but Tokyo is looking at mid-November to mid-December for the most part, with mountainareas starting earlier. So throw on a cozy coat,pack yourself a bento and head out for somebrilliant fall hues.RIKUGIEN GARDENSDeclared “a special beauty spot of Japan” in1953, Rikugien Gardens features maple, zelkovaand ginko trees among others. Expectmind-blowing brilliance to span the last thirdof November to mid-December, including eveningillumination. Komagome. http://meturl.com/rikugardenINOKASHIRA PARKStraddling Kichijoji and Mitaka, InokashiraPark is known for its maples, though its cherrytrees also turn a lovely shade of red. Rent apaddle or swan boat and enjoy the view fromthe water. Those with young children shouldcheck out Inokashira Park Zoo, where thesmall entrance fee tends to keep the arealess crowded than the rest of the park. JRKichijoji or Inokashira Koen. http://meturl.com/inoparkKōyō at Rikugien GardensKoganei area. Both have barbecue areas, andNogawa offers a small playground on its farside. The parks are best known for maples,though the cherry trees in Musashino Parkalso put on quite a show—as do cosmos flowersearlier in the fall. Shin-Koganei. http://meturl.com/nogawaPhoto by Helen LangfordSHOWA KINEN PARKShowa Kinen Park sprawls sumptuously overTokyo’s Tachikawa-Akishima area. Its mostfamous fall feature is an avenue of ginko treesaccessible from the Tachikawa entrance,though there’s also a Japanese garden withbeautiful Japanese maples closer to the Sunagawagate. Check the map on the park’swebsite to find the best station for your desireddestination, or you could find yourself infor a long haul. The park also boasts severalbrilliant play areas, one of which is barrierfree,so if you’ve got wee ones who care lessabout brilliantly colored foliage, Showa Parkhas something to keep them busy. Aim forBEYOND TOKYOIf you’re up for more fresh air andexertion than Tokyo’s parks canoffer, head out to one (or more) ofthe many hiking trails in the hillson the city’s western edge. Greathiking options with beautiful fallfoliage include Takao-san andvarious parts of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park—or you could hitKamakura further south.Want to know more? Check outhttp://metropolisjapan.com/finding-fall-colors/MUSASHINO PARK ANDNOGAWA PARKMusashino Park and Nogawa Park sit on oppositesides of a small road in the Mitaka-Chofumid-Novemberto see leaves at their vibrantpeak. http://meturl.com/showakinenKOGANEI PARKLocated on the Koganei-Kodaira border, KoganeiPark is accessible from JR Higashi-Koganeior Musashi-Koganei stations, as well asthe Seibu Shinjuku line’s Hana-Koganei station(roughly a 20-25-minute walk from each station;buses also available). Though it has lovelymaples, it’s best known for its ginko trees.The park has several playgrounds, includinga large, newly renovated one, and a barbecuearea, making it a good location for a fall familyouting. The on-site Open Air ArchitecturalMuseum (Edo-Tokyo Tatemono-en) has gorgeousJapanese maples that are highlightedby a special weekend of evening illuminationscheduled for November 22-24 from 4:30-8pmdaily. Musashi-Koganei. http://meturl.com/koganeiparkWith Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi, YasukuniShrine and dozens more still on the list, Tokyohas far too many parks, gardens, shrines andtemples to mention them all. Many are listedon the Tokyo Metropolitan Parks Associationwebsite and its Let’s Go To The Gardens page.Let’s Go To The Gardens:http://meturl.com/gogardensTokyo Metropolitan Parks Association:http://meturl.com/tokyoparksPhoto by Mike KanertFOR MORE GREAT ESCAPES IN JAPAN VISIT JAPANTRAVEL.COMJapanTravel.com11