Tokyo Supercar Spotting: A Guide To Meiji Jingu’s Golden Ginkgos
Imagine golden ginkgo trees framing a sleek Ferrari or a classic Porsche as it glides down one of Tokyo’s most picturesque roads. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue isn’t just about autumn foliage. It’s a magnet for supercars and luxury vehicles that add horsepower to the beauty. What’s the secret to finding these beasts among the crowds? Timing, luck, and a little strategy. Or is something else involved? Let’s look at car spotting at this seasonal wonderland.
Why Meiji Jingu Gaien is a supercar magnet
Car spotting certainly involves timing, luck, and strategy. But I’ll add fashion to the mix. Really? Yes, it sure does. Well, Tokyoites are fashionable people. They love any excuse to dress up. So when the trees turn yellow in autumn, guess where they head? Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a people magnet.
As the ginkgo trees turn gold, the avenue transforms into a veritable fashion show, with stylish Tokyoites coming to see and be seen. But in a crowd this fashionable, the ultimate way to turn heads is to arrive in a supercar. This magnetic pull for both fashion and horsepower is what makes the avenue a prime car-spotting location.
My 2024 reality check
I arrived around midday, expecting lots of people. Well, they were there. How about the sports cars? It was like searching for a needle in a haystack. They were far and few between. That was surprising.
How many Porsches do we need?
You could say I got photos of Porsches. That’s true. But that brand saturates Tokyo. You see so many in the Harajuku and Shibuya areas. They hardly count. They are almost as common as Toyota sedans.
Unlocking the secret: It's all about the schedule
In 2023, I saw many incredible cars. Many old classics and high-powered machines cruised the street, making it a petrolhead’s dream. I assumed that was what it must have been like every year. This time, I found out why.
Tokyo has a car rally, the “Coppi di Tokyo.” The avenue is one of the checkpoints. I just didn’t know of the event at that time. Actually, I photographed its 2024 version a few days prior. It was pure luck that let me see them in 2023.
So I didn’t get as many good shots of high-powered cars as I had hoped this year. Going on Saturday was probably a mistake, as it is a work day for many people. In 2025, I will go on a Sunday. More supercars should be there.
You can also do a Google search for Coppi di Tokio to see when it is held. Once you know the date, lie in wait for the cars when they cruise through Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. That might be the best idea.
A cloud over the avenue
A grey cloud hangs over the avenue’s future. A controversial redevelopment project that involves felling many of the iconic ginkgo trees is scheduled. I’m unsure if or how many of those on the avenue will go. Will things change much in 2025? You can see more in this article.
Conclusion
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a unique destination for car spotting in Tokyo, for the time being at least. Unfortunately, this year’s visit didn’t match 2023 in terms of the number of cars. But the experience offered valuable lessons. Timing is everything. Sunday visits and longer stays may yield better results.
Date of Photos: 30 November 2024
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
