Food festivals
October and November are full of weekend food events in parks around the city, from ramen to regional specialities. Perfect for a group: everyone grabs something different and shares.
Autumn is the best season to be in Tokyo. The heat is gone, the air is clear, and the city fills up with festivals and golden trees. It's also the easiest time of year to say "want to go?" to someone new.
Exact dates shift a little every year, so check each event's website before you go.
October and November are full of weekend food events in parks around the city, from ramen to regional specialities. Perfect for a group: everyone grabs something different and shares.
Lots of local matsuri happen in autumn, with stalls, mikoshi and drums. Smaller neighbourhood ones are often the most fun.
Shibuya now discourages street partying on Halloween, so many people head to themed bars, parties or a costume picnic with friends instead.
"Little Edo", an easy train ride away, with old warehouse streets and sweet potato snacks. Especially lively during its October festival.
From mid-to-late November, the ginkgo trees turn bright gold. The avenue near Jingu Gaien is the famous one, but many parks and university campuses glow too.
November shrine fairs where people buy decorated bamboo rakes for good luck. Lanterns, crowds and a very old-Tokyo atmosphere at night.
A classic autumn hike within the city limits. Go early on a weekday if you can; it gets busy at peak colour.
Traditional gardens like Rikugien and Koishikawa Kōrakuen are beautiful in autumn, and some have evening light-ups.
Tokyo's maples often peak later than you'd expect, around late November to early December. A slow walk and a warm drink is a perfect plan.
Winter light displays start appearing around the city. Great for an evening stroll with friends.
Buy Me a Matcha shows you people in Tokyo who speak English and also want new friends. Match, meet over a matcha, and maybe the next plan is a ginkgo walk. Free, and not a dating app.
Get it on the App Store