12 Popular Autumn Wedding Photo Shoot Spots (Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka Edition)
Hello, this is Wedding Avenue.
We are excited to introduce our “Early Autumn Foliage Reservation Campaign,” which started on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
Autumn foliage is one of the most popular seasons for pre-wedding and wedding photos, often ranked among the top two most sought-after. Last year, our autumn foliage photo sessions received great acclaim, and this year we have already received numerous inquiries and consultations from clients. For some of the most popular locations, reservations are already in high demand, with up to three clients waiting even before the official shooting applications are open. This season is garnering significant attention even before the summer is in full swing.
In anticipation of the upcoming autumn foliage season, Wedding Avenue has launched the “Early Autumn Foliage Reservation Campaign.” Given the popularity of this season, many studios typically add a “seasonal fee” on top of their usual prices. However, to support your plans during this high-demand period, we are offering a special promotion: clients who book during the early reservation period will have the ¥22,000 seasonal fee waived.
By booking early, you significantly increase your chances of securing your preferred location and date at a great price! We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and consult with us.
In this article, we have carefully selected 12 of the top recommended autumn foliage spots across the country. We will introduce them one by one, so please stay tuned until the end.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Nagoya
Sosetsuan
Higashiyama Botanical Gardens, renowned as a famous autumn foliage spot, is a place that every Nagoya resident knows. The iconic “five-colored maple” leaves, blending red, orange, yellow, and green, create a breathtaking scene as they paint the surroundings from all directions, including the sky above. Within the garden, a large pond reminiscent of a traditional Japanese garden is situated, allowing visitors to enjoy the reflection of the vibrant foliage on the water’s surface. This location is a must-visit during the autumn season.
One of the highlights is the “maple tunnel,” where the vibrant leaves arch over the path, creating a stunning view unique to Higashiyama Botanical Gardens. This picturesque spot has gained widespread recognition, often featured on social media, in magazines, and on television.
Within the facility, there is a tea house called Sosetsuan. While preserving the traditional aesthetics of “wabi-sabi” and a sense of refined simplicity, its modern design has led it to be described as a “modern Japanese room” with a new, fresh feel. Additionally, there are many other attractions, such as a thatched-roof building, a watermill, and a tunnel with a white theme.
This was an introduction to “Sosetsuan,” a location that is said to fill up quickly with reservations during the autumn foliage season.
Nakamura Park
Nakamura Park, known for its large torii gate, is a renowned Japanese garden located in Nakamura Ward. The park is also famous as a power spot in Nagoya City, featuring the Toyokuni Shrine dedicated to the famous warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The park offers a variety of quintessential Japanese backgrounds for traditional attire, including ponds, bridges, and one of the city’s finest bamboo groves. This makes it an ideal location for capturing the perfect combination of autumn foliage and bamboo forest.
Additionally, Nakamura Park has two types of tea rooms: “Toin Tea Room” and “Memorial Hall,” allowing for a variety of indoor shooting atmospheres. A unique feature of this location is that pets are allowed inside the tea rooms, which is rare in Aichi Prefecture.
Enjoy capturing beautiful autumn leaves with your family and pets while taking in the serene surroundings.
Doudantei
“Daoudan-tei,” a villa located in Owariasahi City, is a top recommended location for the autumn foliage season. The garden features a three-dimensional design with stone pavements and stairs, enhancing the beauty of the autumn leaves. It is said to have been designed with the theme of the children’s song “Momiji-gari” (Autumn Leaf Hunting), and includes highlights such as “Crane” (stepping stones and stone pavements) and “Turtle” (artificial hill), which are quintessential elements of traditional Japanese attire.
The stunning crimson hues of the “daoudan-tsutsuji” (Fothergilla gardenia), which the facility is named after, create a magical atmosphere. The vibrant red scenery is often praised on social media for its artistic, canvas-like quality.
Inside the residence, you’ll find two traditional Japanese-style rooms, a guest room, and a kitchen, offering a heartwarming glimpse into old-fashioned architecture. Spending time in this farmhouse-style building provides a serene, nostalgic experience that promises unforgettable memories. This autumn, Daoudan-tei is a highly recommended spot for enjoying the full richness of the season’s foliage.
Tokugawaen
“Tokugawaen,” renowned as a premier Japanese garden representing the Tokai region, is famous for its authentic design. Bearing the Tokugawa name, its origins are said to date back over 300 years. The garden features various spots with distinct names, including Ryumon Falls, inspired by the Dragon Gate legend; stepping stones that evoke the beauty of mountain streams; and the Kuro-mon gate, which preserves the appearance of a traditional samurai residence from the Meiji era. These elements create a deeply evocative scenery that encapsulates Japanese natural landscapes and culture.
The garden is especially popular for its dramatic autumn foliage photos, utilizing its varied terrain. It is rumored that many people come from outside the prefecture for photo shoots. The combination of historically significant buildings, designated as tangible cultural assets, and the autumn colors creates a quintessential representation of Japanese aesthetics. With around 100 trees turning vibrant shades of red and yellow, Tokugawaen is the perfect location to celebrate the arrival of autumn.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Tokyo
Heisei Teien
Heisei Garden, located adjacent to Gyosen Park in Edogawa Ward, is known to many who have visited the nearby free zoo. The garden features a large pond with koi fish at its center, surrounded by bamboo groves and stone pavements reminiscent of Kyoto, as well as a dry landscape garden that expresses the beauty of nature through rocks and sand.
Next to the tea house built in the sukiya style, there is a maple leaf plaza, offering a quintessentially Japanese autumn atmosphere for your photo shoot.
The garden is designed as a pond strolling garden, where you can enjoy all its highlights by simply walking around the pond. This layout minimizes physical strain and allows you to fully appreciate the garden’s renowned autumn foliage.
It is rumored that the view of the autumn leaves across the pond from the tea house is spectacular. Be sure to see this breathtaking autumn scenery with your own eyes.
Meziro Teien
This Japanese garden is the most popular location for traditional pre-wedding photos in Tokyo, featuring a garden that takes about 5 minutes to walk around and a stately Japanese-style room. Located in a quiet residential area, it offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, providing a uniquely Tokyo experience. The beautiful flow of water and pleasant natural surroundings create a popular setting for natural photos, with soft sunlight enveloping the couple.
The autumn foliage stands out remarkably in this serene garden, and the reflections of the leaves on the pond enhance the autumnal atmosphere.
The tea house is spacious, and the view of the garden from the veranda is stunning. The serene time spent in this meticulously curated Japanese garden, filled with the jewels of autumn, becomes an irreplaceable treasure.
Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, a hidden gem Japanese garden located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, is a well-loved spot for its exceptionally beautiful autumn foliage. Although it is known as a hidden gem, it is cherished by those in the know for its vibrant fall colors.
The garden’s design incorporates hills and valleys, creating a three-dimensional setting that enhances the depth and contours of your photos. The large, arched stone bridge is a main highlight, providing a romantic backdrop for photos against the backdrop of fiery autumn leaves.
Additionally, the park allows for pet photography, making it a great option for family photos as well.
Despite being in the heart of the city, this location offers a special atmosphere that makes you forget the hustle and bustle, allowing you to enjoy timeless and unforgettable photo sessions.
Ginkgo tree avenue
A golden landscape stretches out before you. The Ginkgo tree avenue in Gaienmae, renowned for its stunning beauty even within Tokyo, becomes a popular spot for autumn foliage photos. This tree-lined path, filled with elements that delight the eyes, touch, and nose, is a rich expression of autumn’s charm.
The fallen ginkgo leaves transform the road into a sea of gold, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a golden wedding aisle as you walk through it.
This luxurious autumn foliage location highlights the expressions of the couple, making it a top spot for capturing beautiful photos. Whether in traditional or Western attire, this location is incredibly popular in the fall.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Osaka
Daisen Park
“Daizen Park,” a premier Japanese garden, weaves together rich natural beauty and warm light. This garden, selected as one of Japan’s historical parks, transforms into an even deeper, more captivating scene during the autumn foliage season.
With over 200 maple trees within the Japanese garden and the surrounding park turning vibrant colors all at once, the breathtaking beauty is often described as a curtain of autumn leaves. The scenery, with its vivid contrasts of green, red, and yellow, makes the bridges a classic photo spot.
The tea house is situated as if floating on the pond, allowing you to enjoy the autumn foliage across the water from the corridor. Experience a continuous series of stunning views, like falling in love with each moment, at Daizen Park, the top spot for traditional attire photos.
Fujita Teien
Adjacent to the Fujita Museum, “Fujita Garden” is an artistic garden known for its historic charm. Created during the Meiji era, it has been preserved in its original form and is designated as a scenic spot by Osaka City, attracting considerable popularity.
The garden features a dramatic landscape centered around a steeply sloped mound, with intricate waterfalls and flowing water that skillfully express the grandeur and ruggedness of nature. The pond at the center changes with the seasons, offering new discoveries with each visit and making it a favorite among repeat visitors.
This spot is known for its relatively late arrival of autumn foliage in Osaka City, allowing for an extended period of enjoying the pleasant autumn weather. As you step through the gate, you’ll experience a sophisticated Japanese garden that feels like a time slip amidst urban development. Enjoy the beautiful gradient of autumn leaves at this hidden gem spot known only to those in the know.
Tsurumi Green Park
A location recommended for autumn foliage, where the Metasequoia-lined entrance turns golden. This park, which hosted the “International Flower and Greenery Expo” and attracted about 20 million visitors from both domestic and international locations, provides a perfect setting for capturing the story of the couple.
You can enjoy a variety of scenes, from the cosmos blooming against the backdrop of windmills, to the refreshing splashes of the central fountain, and even capture the chirping birds and pleasant air. This location truly lives up to its concept as the “Smile Park of Flowers and Greenery,” offering an experience filled with smiles.
The expansive grounds ensure that it rarely gets crowded, allowing you to fully enjoy the impressive autumn foliage. Whether in traditional or Western attire, you can savor the breathtaking autumn scenery at this premier spot.
Popular Autumn Foliage Locations in Kyoto
Bisyamondou
Capture breathtaking autumn foliage photos at the historic temple, Bishamon-do. Established in the 3rd year of the Daibo era, this temple has survived numerous wars and fires, exuding a timeless charm. You may have seen it before in social media, magazines, or even featured in a JR Tokai commercial.
The temple offers a variety of backgrounds, including the striking red main hall, the covered corridors spanning east, west, north, and south, and the stately tea rooms perfect for serene photos. There are over ten indoor spots alone. Outdoors, you’ll find a wealth of natural beauty, including stone pavements leading to the temple grounds and stone bridges that create a picturesque setting with every step.
During the autumn season, the temple is especially popular. The vibrant maple leaves complement the red main hall beautifully, and both the early-season green maples and the fallen leaves after the peak season are also spectacular. Enjoy the grandeur of Kyoto’s iconic views with your partner as you stroll through the autumnal splendor.
Last
We have introduced 12 of the most sought-after autumn foliage locations that we offer. However, there are many other wonderful spots to enjoy the fall colors, so please feel free to reach out to us for more information.
In addition to the locations we have introduced, you are welcome to suggest your own preferred spots. Whether it’s a location full of personal memories or a hidden gem known only to a few, we would be delighted to hear your suggestions.
Typically, the peak of the autumn foliage season occurs from late November to early December. Unlike cherry blossoms, which have a shorter viewing period, autumn leaves can be enjoyed for a longer time, making it easier to fit into your schedule. Many facilities start accepting reservations around August to September, so we recommend contacting us early.
Thank you very much for reading until the end. We sincerely wish that your wedding photos will be a truly unforgettable experience.