The best parts of autumn in Japan?
Food (of course, given that there’s a reason the Japanese call it the season of appetite "食欲の秋" Shokuyoku-no-aki)
and
Scenery (the kind that makes you gasp a little).
Personally for scenery, I live for the seasonal transition: the moment green melts into yellow, orange, and red like nature’s version of watercolor bleeding across paper.
Autumn trees in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green, my favorite Autumn scene.
And honestly, these colors always remind me of my own little autumn creations, especially my Autumn Patchwork Necklace & Bracelet -- a mini mosaic of peridots, smoky quartz, goldstone and beaded florals, that were specifically inspired by this kind of scenery.
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Why Showa Kinen Park?
I’ve seen videos of the autumn illumination at Showa Kinen Park, and they instantly charmed me. Also, I used to live one station away for years, and had fun on my countless visits with friends and family, so this park holds a soft place in my heart.
The views of autumn scenery are beautiful in the daylight, and worth a visit even without the illumination.
Gorgeous gingko trees line the path to the park entrance.
This time though, I wasn’t chasing daylight.
I was waiting for sunset.
Golden Hour → Blue Hour → Magic Hour
Visitors can enter from 4:30 PM, when the sky is still holding onto the last bit of light.
The entrance is breathtaking, with rows of gingko trees, a long water feature reflecting their gold, and a fountain quietly adding drama.
But I preferred slipping along the side path, where gingko branches curved overhead like a warm golden tunnel. The perfect mix of daylight + soft illumination = absolute storybook.
The air was hushed. Even with a crowd, everyone spoke quietly, as if not to disturb the magic.
Into the Dark (My Favorite Part)
After the gingko tunnel comes the long walk into near-darkness.
I adore night walks, it feels like the world softens and all the noise disappears.
It was cold, but food stalls selling hot drinks appeared every now and then like blessings. Staff guided visitors gently along the path, and that shared sense of anticipation made everything feel cozy.
In the dark, lights can be seen in the distance.. is it the Japanese Garden?
The Japanese Garden: Worth Every Step
The Japanese Garden requires a separate ticket, but…
Oh. My. Heart.
Maples lit in jewel tones.
A still lake holding a perfect mirror.
Lights placed so carefully it felt like walking through a painting.
There was a gorgeous wooden bridge, glowing softly in the light. I half-expected a princess to drift across it.
We passed a few light installations—small moments of whimsy.
Colorful traditional Japanese umbrellas are lighted up beautifully in this installation.
A personal favorite of mine: Japanese windchimes dancing gently under warm lanterns.
The Final Gingko Show
Then finally, after a few minutes of walking, we make it to the spectacle that made me want to visit: the Gingko Avenue Light Show.
Every few minutes, music rose, lights shimmered up the trees, and the whole avenue transformed into a glowing cathedral of gold. It was a whole light show, with accompanying background music.
Gingko trees are lighted up in the dark, creating a magical scene.
It was this exact scene that sparked the idea of going to this park.
Now, I'm not going to lie, this was a tiring outing. Definitely felt like I need to work out more. But it was worth the beautiful views.
A Perfect Autumn Night
We ended the night with sore feet and full hearts.
Nature was beautiful enough -- but the way humans designed the lights, the paths, the reflections… it felt like walking through a curated dream.
A magical autumn night indeed. 🍁✨
