Meiji Jingu Gaien: Your Essential Guide to Tokyo’s Stunning Golden Ginkgo Avenue

A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature: Tokyo’s Best Golden Escape!

When many people search for A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature, they often worry about:

✔️ When is the absolute peak time to see the completely golden leaves?

✔️ Are the crowds and the ginkgo fruit smell too overwhelming?

✔️ Can I easily combine this nature walk with some cool Tokyo history and sports?

“To sum up, finding a spot that offers both incredible natural beauty and easy access to modern Tokyo amenities can be tricky, but completely worth the effort.”

“The place that satisfied everything was A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature!! Let me show you why.”

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue: Experiencing A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature

It had been ages since I’d last hopped off at ‘Gaienmae’ station.

The Ginkgo Avenue was just starting to turn yellow, but it definitely looked like we needed a bit more time until it became that completely golden tunnel I’d seen on the news.

Still, heaps of people were already strolling beneath the trees, soaking up that classic autumn atmosphere.

Though everyone was enjoying the autumn vibe, that particular smell from the ginkgo fruit floating everywhere?

Yeah, nah, that was a struggle to get used to! Haha.

From a distance, it almost looked like it was still the fresh green season, but when you got closer and peered in from the pavement, you could see the trees slowly changing into their autumn outfits.

Even if it wasn’t at the absolute peak, being able to feel the breath of nature right in the middle of the city during this A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature was totally captivating and worth the visit.

Chic Vibes at Royal Garden Cafe Aoyama

The streets surrounding this famous spot for A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature were lined with expensive imported cars, including sports cars and classic models, which really hammered home that this is one of Tokyo’s hot spots.

I decided to treat myself and grabbed a table on the terrace at ‘Royal Garden Cafe Aoyama’.

A lovely breeze drifted through the large, open indoor space, and I was absolutely stoked with the sophisticated atmosphere.

When I asked about the recommended dish, they said everything was equally popular, so I went for the safe bet: French Toast.

The thick toast served with sausage, slathered in luxurious French butter, was bloody magnificent—the flavour exploded in my mouth and it was just superb, a perfect addition to my A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature trip!

Japan National Stadium: Tokyo’s Sporting Heart

Finally, we arrived in front of the New National Stadium, about two hours before the game started.

It was already packed with passionate fans decked out in their uniforms, and the sheer presence of the stadium lifted my spirits immediately.

Since we had some time, we walked a full lap around the stadium to take in both the old and new Olympic cauldrons.

There was a massive queue outside the famous ‘Hopken’ ramen shop—I was genuinely worried that if we waited in that line, we’d miss the start of the game!

Just walking around and admiring the curvy design of this giant stadium built in the city centre really made me feel the spirit of sport, blending modern architecture with the calming experience of A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature nearby.

Inside the Stadium Experience

We finally made it inside the stadium.

It felt surreal standing in the crowded, energetic venue, rather than the empty stands I remembered watching on TV during the COVID era.

The wooden ceiling structure was incredibly striking, and the seat spacing was surprisingly generous, making it comfortable even for a long viewing session.

The roar of the supporters’ cheers before the game echoed throughout the entire stadium, making my heart race.

Although my team only managed to finish as runners-up, which was a bit of a bummer, just experiencing the intense energy of the packed crowd made it a day I won’t forget.

Japan Olympic Museum: A Historical Side Trip

To lift my slightly deflated spirits after the game, I headed straight for the ‘Japan Olympic Museum’ right next door.

There was quite a bit to see, from the statue of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, to Olympic flags throughout history.

Getting to see actual medals up close, and even having the chance to feel what it was like to wear one, was truly a special moment for a sports fan like myself.

It was also lovely to see the various artworks and the mascots, ‘Miraitowa’ and ‘Someity’, created for the Tokyo Games.

The volunteer uniform designs were a bit unique, but overall, it was a worthwhile experience that reinforced the significance of the global festival that is the Olympics, complementing the nature break of A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature.

Fueling Up After the Adventures

To wash away the disappointment of the day’s sporting result, I sought out ‘Keika Ramen’ in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho.

Kabukicho, which I hadn’t visited in a while, was bustling with large groups of foreign tourists.

The ‘Tairoumen’, which has maintained the same appearance for decades, was magnificent—the combination of chewy pork, crunchy cabbage, and black sesame oil (Mayu) was, as always, spot on.

It’s a nostalgic taste I’ve loved since I first moved up here, and finishing a bowl left me feeling totally satisfied and ready to go again.

I might be slightly worried about tomorrow morning due to the intense broth, but this one bowl definitely helped me shake off all the stress from the day, capping off my perfect combination of sport and A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature.

Top Tips for Planning Your Visit

• For the perfect golden glow during your A stroll along Tokyo City’s Ginkgo Avenue surrounded by nature, I recommend visiting late November to early December.

• When walking around the New National Stadium, it’s great fun to try and spot the differences between the old and new Olympic cauldrons.

  Klook.com

• The Olympic rings sculpture outside the Olympic Museum is a super popular photo spot with long queues, so definitely check it out.

• If you’re attending a game, try to book seats near an aisle for much easier entry and exit, trust me on this one! 🙂