12 Popular Autumn Wedding Photo Shoot Spots (Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka Edition)
Hello, this is Wedding Avenue.
Today, we would like to introduce our “Autumn Leaves Reservation Campaign.”
Autumn is one of the top two most popular seasons for pre-wedding and wedding photos, and autumn leaves photography was very well-received last year. This year as well, we have already received many inquiries from couples interested in autumn leaf photoshoots. To help make autumn leaves photoshoots more accessible despite the higher demand and associated costs, we are currently offering a campaign where the “Seasonal Fee of ¥22,000” is waived. We also have locations available for last-minute bookings, so please feel free to inquire as soon as possible.
In this article, we have carefully selected 12 recommended autumn leaf spots across Japan from among the most popular locations nationwide. We invite you to read through to the end.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Nagoya
Sosetsuan
Known as one of Nagoya’s most famous autumn leaf spots, Higashiyama Botanical Gardens is beloved by locals. Its signature “five-colored” maples blend red, orange, yellow, and green, creating a breathtaking display that fills the entire space with vibrant hues in all directions and even high above. Within the gardens is a large pond reminiscent of a Japanese garden, where the reflection of the colorful maple leaves on the water’s surface adds a unique charm, making it a must-visit location during autumn.
One of the highlights is the maple tunnel, where branches arch over the path in a stunning display of fall colors, creating a scene unique to Higashiyama. This iconic view is frequently featured on social media, in magazines, and on television.
The garden also has a tea house called “Sosetsuan.” While embodying the traditional aesthetics of “wabi-sabi” and refined simplicity, it has a modern feel and is often described as a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese and contemporary styles. Additionally, the gardens feature a thatched-roof building, a water mill, and a white-themed tunnel, offering plenty of picturesque spots.
The highly sought-after Sosetsuan can book up quickly during the peak autumn season.
Available dates for photoshoots: Tuesday, December 10 and Saturday, December 14
Nakamura Park
Nakamura Park, located in Nakamura Ward, is famous for its large torii gate and traditional Japanese garden. The park is also home to Toyokuni Shrine, dedicated to the samurai lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, making it a renowned power spot in Nagoya.
This location offers ideal backdrops for traditional Japanese attire, such as ponds, bridges, and one of the city’s finest bamboo groves, creating a stunning blend of autumn leaves and bamboo scenery. The park also features two tea rooms, “Toin Tea Room” and “Memorial Hall,” allowing for a variety of indoor shooting atmospheres. Unique in Aichi Prefecture, Nakamura Park even allows pets inside the tea rooms, making it an excellent location for photoshoots with family members or pets, set against beautiful autumn foliage.
Available dates for photoshoots: Thursday, November 21; Monday, November 25; Friday, November 29; Monday, December 2; and Wednesday, December 11.
Doudantei
The villa “Dodan-tei” in Owariasahi City is a highly recommended location for autumn photoshoots. The garden is designed with stone paths and steps, creating a layered structure that highlights the beauty of the autumn leaves. Inspired by the nursery rhyme Momijigari, the garden features elements like “Crane” (stepping stones and pathways) and “Turtle” (mounds), making it an ideal spot for traditional Japanese attire.
The villa’s namesake, the doudantsutsuji (Enkianthus perulatus), turns a vivid red in autumn, creating a stunning, almost painting-like scene that has become a popular topic on social media.
Inside the villa, you’ll find two Japanese-style rooms, a guest room, and a utility room, all showcasing warm, nostalgic views that welcome couples. The traditional farmhouse-style building offers a peaceful retreat that feels like returning home, promising an unforgettable experience and capturing the essence of “serenity.”
Available dates for photoshoots: Saturday, November 23; Monday, November 25; Thursday, December 5.
Tokugawaen
The Tokugawaen, a renowned Japanese garden in the Tokai region, proudly carries the Tokugawa name, with origins tracing back over 300 years. Within the garden, various areas have individual names, each steeped in history. Highlights include the Ryumon Waterfall, inspired by the “Gateway of the Dragon” legend, stepping stones resembling a mountain stream scene, and the Kuro-mon Gate, which retains the appearance of a samurai residence from the Meiji era. The garden’s landscapes and features are a profound reflection of Japan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
This location is particularly popular for its stunning autumn foliage, with its varied elevation creating dynamic photo angles that attract visitors from outside the prefecture. The combination of historically significant buildings and vibrant autumn leaves creates a quintessentially Japanese aesthetic. With around 100 trees showcasing brilliant reds and yellows, this is the perfect autumn photoshoot spot.
Available dates for photoshoots: From Saturday, December 21 onward.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Tokyo
Heisei Teien
Heisei Garden, located within Gyosen Park in Edogawa Ward, is adjacent to a free zoo, making it a popular spot for many locals. The garden centers around a large pond filled with koi fish and features bamboo groves and stone pathways reminiscent of Kyoto. The dry landscape garden (karesansui), composed of stones and sand, evokes a natural scenic beauty. Next to a traditional sukiya-style tea house lies Momiji Square, where the autumn ambiance is perfect for capturing quintessential Japanese seasonal photographs.
Heisei Garden’s pond-centered, strolling layout allows visitors to enjoy all highlights in a single loop, minimizing physical strain while fully appreciating the seasonal foliage. The view of the autumn leaves across the pond from the tea house is particularly breathtaking.
Available dates for photoshoots: Currently fully booked for the autumn foliage season.
Meziro Teien
This Japanese garden, known for being Tokyo’s most popular location for traditional pre-wedding photoshoots, offers a serene and picturesque setting with a garden that takes about five minutes to walk around and a stately Japanese-style room. Located in a quiet residential area, it provides a rare escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing couples to experience a tranquil, Tokyo-like atmosphere. The soothing sound of flowing water and the gentle embrace of natural light create the perfect backdrop for natural and intimate photos. The vibrant autumn leaves stand out even more in this peaceful garden, with the mirrored reflection of the foliage in the pond enhancing the entire autumn scenery.
The tea house, spacious and welcoming, offers a magnificent view of the garden from the veranda. The peaceful time spent in this meticulously curated garden, filled with the jewels of autumn, becomes an unforgettable treasure.
Available dates for photoshoots: Fully booked for the autumn foliage season.
Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park
Located in Minato City, Tokyo, Arisugawa Memorial Park is a hidden gem offering a beautiful and serene Japanese garden experience, especially during the autumn foliage season. While it is known as a lesser-known spot for its stunning fall colors, it is a cherished location for those in the know. The park features varied terrain, including hills and valleys, which create a three-dimensional effect for photographs. One of the main highlights is the large arched stone bridge, offering a romantic backdrop for photos with vibrant autumn leaves.
The park is also pet-friendly, making it a great option for family photoshoots. Despite being in the heart of the city, it provides a tranquil escape, offering a peaceful and unforgettable experience for your photo session.
Available dates for photoshoots: Available in early December. Please inquire for specific dates.
Ginkgo tree avenue
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Osaka
Daisen Park
The magnificent “Daisen Park,” a top-tier Japanese garden, offers an exquisite fusion of lush nature and warm light. Renowned for its seasonal flowers and the historic atmosphere of its design, the garden transforms into an even more captivating scene during the autumn season. The sight of over 200 maple trees within the garden and park simultaneously turning vibrant red, yellow, and green is simply breathtaking, often described as a view that feels like the fall colors have draped the entire landscape.
One of the standout spots for photography is the picturesque bridge, offering a vibrant contrast of autumn hues—an ideal location for capturing the essence of the season.
The Japanese-style rooms are strategically placed over a pond, allowing visitors to admire the reflections of the autumn leaves from the corridor, providing a series of romantic and mesmerizing views. Enjoy the ultimate autumn experience at Daisen Park, a top choice for traditional attire photo shoots.
Available dates for photoshoots: 12/2 (Mon), 12/10 (Tue), 12/11 (Wed), 12/14 (Sat).
Fujita Teien
Adjacent to the Fujita Art Museum, the “Fujita Tei Ato Park” is an artistic garden that retains its original design from the Meiji era. Recognized as an Osaka City-designated scenic spot, it has become a popular destination. The park’s striking features include steep hills, waterfalls, and flowing streams, which expertly depict the grandeur and raw beauty of nature. The large central pond changes with the seasons, offering fresh discoveries each time you visit, making it a favorite among repeat visitors.
A notable advantage of this location is that the autumn foliage season here arrives later than in other parts of the city, allowing visitors to enjoy the fall atmosphere for an extended period. Despite the surrounding urban development, the garden provides a serene, almost timeless escape, where you can capture elegant, historical moments. This hidden gem is perfect for photographing the stunning gradients of autumn leaves.
Please note that the autumn season is fully booked.
Tsurumi Green Park
The entrance is greeted by a golden-colored Metasequoia avenue, making this an ideal location for autumn photoshoots. As the site of the “International Garden and Greenery Expo,” the park, which attracted around 20 million visitors from Japan and abroad, offers a perfect backdrop for capturing unforgettable moments.
Here, you can enjoy photoshoots with a variety of scenes, including a field of cosmos flowers with a windmill in the background, refreshing sprays from the central fountain, and the cheerful sounds of birds in the pleasant air, all within the concept of the “Flower and Green Smile Park.”
The park’s expansive grounds mean it’s rarely crowded, allowing you to fully enjoy the stunning autumn foliage. Whether in formal or casual attire, this location offers a spectacular autumn experience.
Available shooting dates: We can generally accommodate bookings at most times (dates will be adjusted depending on event schedules).
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Kyoto
Bisyamondou
Experience breathtaking autumn foliage photos at a historic temple.
“Bi Shamon-do” was built in the 3rd year of the Taohō era and has survived many wars and fires, maintaining its elegant atmosphere. It is widely known, appearing in magazines, on social media, and even as a backdrop for a JR Tokai commercial.
The temple features the striking vermilion-colored main hall, corridors running in all four directions, and a serene tea room—each providing more than ten possible indoor backdrops for your photos. Outdoors, you’ll find a variety of picturesque settings, from the stone-paved paths leading to the temple grounds to the sound of footsteps on the stone bridges, ensuring every moment is captured beautifully.
The autumn season is especially popular, with vibrant maple leaves complementing the vermilion main hall, as well as the stunning blue maples before the season and the carpet of fallen leaves after. Enjoy the majestic sight of the main hall framed by a tunnel of red leaves, a quintessential Kyoto experience with your loved one.
Available shooting dates: The autumn season is fully booked.
Last
This time, we have introduced 12 popular locations for autumn foliage photography that are in high demand.
In addition to the 12 locations mentioned, there are many other beautiful spots where you can enjoy the autumn colors. You are also welcome to suggest locations of your own, whether they are meaningful places filled with your memories or hidden gems known only to a few. We would love to hear your ideas.
Typically, the peak of the autumn foliage season occurs from late November to early December. Compared to cherry blossoms, the autumn colors tend to last longer, making it easier to plan your shoot around your availability. We also have locations that are still available for bookings even at the last minute, so please feel free to reach out for a consultation.
Thank you so much for reading through this. We sincerely wish that your wedding photos will be a memorable and amazing experience.