Shakujii Park offers a peaceful alternative for autumn foliage viewing, with ponds, birdwatching, and a local history museum — all without the usual crowds. Published on By The autumn colors viewing season in Tokyo is approaching. Generally, it runs from late November to early December spanning a period from two weeks to a month.
As of this writing, forecasts are saying the season will begin on November 29 (yellow) and December 5 (red). Noted viewing sites include , , Mizumoto Koen, Showa Kinen Koen, and Takaosan, and the in the far west of Tokyo. These tend to be extremely crowded when the autumn colors are at their best, especially in the case of sites offering "light ups" (nighttime illumination) such as and Rikugien.
A lesser-known alternative is Shakujii Park in Nerima Ward. The park showcases a spectacular display of autumn colors reflected in two large ponds. It also offers a chance to see herons, cormorants, and other wild birds going about their business in a park adjacent to a very upmarket residential area.
On Sundays, model boat enthusiasts gather to exercise their craft. It's a good opportunity to chat with Japanese eager to explain their hobby. There are play areas for small children, and they are encouraged to scour a small stream for an invasive species of crayfish.
The park figures in several popular manga and is used for location shots in television and film productions. A further attraction is a small but very well-executed . It offers reconstructions of .
