Hidden Tokyo: An Autumn Walk from Todoroki Valley to Futako-Tamagawa
When I lived in the Todoroki area of Setagaya (世田谷区), Tokyo, I discovered this short but beautiful autumn walk that became a favorite for experiencing Tokyo’s fall foliage in a peaceful, lesser-known neighborhood. If you're looking for hidden autumn spots in Tokyo and an off-the-beaten-path walk to admire autumn colors without the crowds, this Todoroki walking route might just be for you!
This itinerary is more suited to Tokyo residents looking for off-the-beaten-track walks, or to travelers keen to visit Todoroki during the fall season and looking for other things to see in the area.
Walk Itinerary and Things to See and Do
This itinerary starts at Todoroki station (等々力駅), on the Tokyu Oimachi Line. From central Tokyo, you can reach the Oimachi Line via the Tokyu Toyoko Line at Jiyugaoka Station (自由が丘駅), or the Tokyu Den-enchofu Line at Futako Tamagawa Station (二子玉川駅).
Visit Todoroki Valley’s Fudoson Temple
Todoroki Fudoson Temple (等々力不動尊 明王院), located in Todoroki Valley, is a peaceful Buddhist temple dedicated to the deity Fudo Myo. In autumn, the grounds become covered with ginkgo leaves, turning it into a golden carpet. There are also some momiji trees around, which makes it a charming place to enjoy the autumn season.
Something to know is that autumn foliage in Todoroki happens somewhat a bit later than other spots in central Tokyo, so if you’ve missed the peak, it might still be very colourful in this area!
IMPORTANT: Todoroki Valley is currently closed and has been since September 2023 due to falling trees with heavy rains and the resulting safety measures. According to Setagaya city’s website, the ban is expected to be lifted in fiscal year 2025, once the renovation work will be complete. Although it is not possible to descend into the valley from the entrance under the Golf bridge near the station, you can still visit the Todoroki Fudoson temple, the tea house and the Japanese garden entering by the southern entrance or the temple entrance.
➡️ For more details on Todoroki Valley, you can read my detailed guide “Todoroki Valley: a Hidden Getaway in the Suburbs of Tokyo”.
Relax in Todoroki's Japanese Garden
After soaking in the autumn beauty and peaceful atmosphere of this temple, you can head to a nearby Japanese garden, called Nihon Teien (日本庭園), located at the southern end of the valley. There, you can enjoy the autumn foliage while unwinding at a small traditional Japanese teahouse, where complimentary hot tea is available for visitors.
Explore a Residential Area of Tokyo and Stop Off at a Local Temple
After exiting Todoroki Valley via the southern entrance, you're greeted by the calm of Todoroki's residential neighborhoods, where you can take a leisurely stroll through these quiet streets. A few steps away is the Zen-yoji temple (善養寺), a small local temple that I enjoyed visiting, with its statues and autumn foliage.
Enjoy a Stroll to Futago-Tamagawa River and Park
From Zen-yoji Temple, continue toward the Tama River to discover the expansive Tamagawa Green Area Park (多摩川緑地). Here, you can unwind in wide-open spaces with scenic river views and, if you need a break, there’s a nearby Starbucks where you can relax with a coffee. For more autumn color, head to the nearby Kishin-en Garden (帰真園), a small traditional garden whose fall foliage contrasts with the surrounding skyscrapers.
From there, you can head to Futako-Tamagawa station (二子玉川駅), where this walking itinerary ends.
More Ideas of Things to Do Around
If you want to spend more time in the area, you can head to the Futako Tamagawa Rise shopping center , which offers a variety of boutiques, trendy cafés and restaurants, and is ideal for grabbing a bite to eat or buying souvenirs from stores such as Village Vanguard. If you like cinnamon rolls, for example, you need to head to Cinnabon/Seattle's Best Coffee (シナボン／シアトルズベストコーヒー 二子玉川ライズ S. C.店), which serves some of the best cinnamon rolls I've ever tried!
The mall also features a cinema, 109 Cinemas Futako-tamagawa (109シネマズ二子玉川), which always seems like a great option after a walk.
If you're in the mood for more nature, you can walk or take the train to Kinuta Park (砧公園), a beautiful park popular with locals, known for its seasonal colors, such as autumn foliage or cherry blossoms.
When to Visit and How Long to Spend
The best time to enjoy the autumn colors in this area is from late November to mid-December, when the foliage is at its most vibrant. This itinerary takes around 2 hours at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to soak in the autumn beauty and explore each spot without rushing.
Setagaya Walking Itinerary in a Map
To Conclude
This article was short, but I had been wanting to share this autumn walking itinerary that I'm particularly fond of, as it's a walk I used to take regularly in autumn when I lived in this part of Tokyo. If I were to move to Tokyo again, I'd certainly want to live in exactly the same district, which I found fantastic for its relaxing, close-to-nature atmosphere, while still being closely linked to central Tokyo. I hope this article will convey my love for this little-known district and inspire you to discover it too!
Looking for more autumn foliage spots in Tokyo? You can read my article “Autumn in Tokyo: 17 Top Fall Foliage Spots and Best Day Trips” or check out all my Japan autumn articles to prepare for this incredible season. 🍁
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