Aoyama Autumn

A couple of weeks ago I took a walk along the road leading up to Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in Meiji Jingu Gaien. It is 300 metres long and lined with Ginkgo trees and they turn a wonderfully bright yellow color at this time of year. Take a walk with me from Aoyama-itchome to go see the trees.

#1 The yellow ginkgo leaves made for a great scene as you walk down the main street.

#2 I traveled by subway to Aoyama Itchome station and then walked down to towards Gaienmae to the Icho Namiki Dori, or Ginkgo Tree Avenue.

#3 There were some cool shops to see on the way down there. Japanese sweets on offer here.

#4 Definitely worth dropping in to a San Maruku Cafe and trying their famous Choco Cro, chocolate croissant. When they have just come out of the oven they are delicious.

#5 CoCo's curry house always good for a quick bite to eat.

#6 Walking past the Sony Computer Entertainment building

#7 This "pencil" building エンピツビル next to the Sony one looks very small.

#8 There are a number of good restaurants and cafes on the Icho Namiki Dori. Selan in particular is well known.

#9 The trees form a great symmetry lining the street. Whether you are walking down or driving the imagery is fantastic.

#10 Royal Garden Cafe is a popular spot for lunch and afternoon tea.

#11 Another look at the Royal Garden Cafe with people on the front deck enjoying their tea.

#12 The Ginkgo Tree Avenue heading down to the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery.

#13 The trees change in size moving down the street to give the Gallery building at the Gaien end extra emphasis.

#14 SELAN, a favorite place to drop in for afternoon tea.

#15 Plenty of people out enjoying the day. Many with cameras taking pictures of the trees and surroundings.

#16 Ginkgo trees close up.

#17 This road was actually the first asphalt road in Japan when made in 1926, at the same time as the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery.

#18 The leaves falling on the ground help to make the whole area turn yellow. It is a great atmosphere.

#19 Although this area is more concrete than grass, the charm of walking down a tree laden path is unmistakable. A very nice day out.

#20 Despite being a little bit cold, everyone was enjoying themselves under the yellow canopy.

#21 A few security guys rode their bike down the path, but it was actually quite slippery under foot.

#22 The news had been featuring this area for a few days, so lots of people had turned out to take a look at it first hand.

#23 No takers for sitting on this bench. Reminded me of a cold English day.

#24 Even the taxi drivers pulled over to get a look at the trees.

#25 Maybe you can just see the driver behind the cab taking out his mobile phone and snapping a picture?

#26 The police were out making sure the roads didn't get clogged with cars stopping to see the scenery.

#27 Down the other side of the road, the trees had a bit more of a green color to them on one side.

#28 There were many different shades of yellow mixed in with some greenery.

#29 A few stalls for eating and drinking had been set up for the crowds.

#30 Many people were out for the day just enjoying their walk.

#31 The pavement formed a carpet of yellow leaves.

#32 So many leaves fallen to the ground waiting to be raked up.

#33 At times, it almost seemed like a scene from Paris.