Skip to main content of this page

Current Topics

Please enable JavaScript to use the website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

September 6, 2016
Bureau of Construction
Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association

RIKUGIEN GARDENS ILLUMINATION
Immerse yourself in fall colors in a daimyo’s garden

Rikugien Gardens offer one of Tokyo’s most celebrated spots for enjoying the fall colors. During the peak season, November 19 - December 7, the gardens will stay open until 9:00 p.m., and the trees will be illuminated to show off the spectacular scenery. Various other attractions will also be on offer. Come and enjoy the sight of glimmering red and golden leaves reflected on the water and experience the romantic and magical side of these historic gardens.

November 19 (Sat) – December 7 (Wed), 2016
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (last admission 8:30 p.m.)*

Events

1. Illumination

The gardens will be lit up daily, from dusk until 9:00 p.m.

2. Momiji-chaya tea stall

Snacks and drinks on sale
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (closed in bad weather)
Place: Area near the Site of the Ginka-tei

3. Matcha green tea service

Items for sale: Green tea and Japanese sweets; Rikugien souvenirs
Opening hours: Fukiage-chaya: 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., last order 8:00 p.m.
Shinsen-tei: Noon – 8:00 p.m., last order 7:30 p.m. (Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays, 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., last order 7:30 p.m.)

4. Souvenir stall

Items for sale: Rikugien merchandise, souvenirs etc.
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (closed in bad weather)
Place: To be decided

5. Guided Tour in English

Volunteer guides will give a 60-minute guided tour of the park with an explanation of the special features of autumn.
Dates and times: The first and third Sunday of the month, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. (cancelled in bad weather)
Meeting place: In front of the Garden Office
Fee: Free (park entrance fee is separate)

*Note
The special late opening hours are for the illumination event period only
The Somei-mon gate, a two-minute walk from Komagome Station, will also be open during this period
For security reasons, some areas will be off-limits after 4:30 p.m.

Illuminations in 2015

Last year’s fall colors

Rikugien Gardens

Designated as a national site of scenic beauty, Rikugien was built by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a favorite of the fifth Shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Yanagisawa’s fondness for classical poetry formed the key concept for the gardens’ layout, which features recreations of well-known scenery from traditional Chinese stories and Japanese poetry. Featuring walking paths, hills and a pond, this is a prime example of a daimyo’s garden from the Edo Period. In the Meiji Era, the gardens became the property of Iwasaki Yataro, founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate.

Opening Hours 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:30 p.m.)
During the illumination event period, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (last admission 8:30 p.m.)
The gardens are closed from December 29 – January 1
Address 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku
Access 7-minute walk from Komagome Station (JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line); 10-minute walk from Sengoku Station (Toei Mita Line)
No parking is available
During the illumination event period, the Somei-mon gate, a 2-minute walk from Komagome station, will also be open
Admission Fee 300 Yen; Seniors (65 and older): 150 Yen
Free entry for primary school children or younger and junior high school students living or attending school in Tokyo
Contact Rikugien Garden Office
Tel: 03-3941-2222
Website “Let’s go to the Gardens” http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/rikugien/index.html
Guided tours (Japanese) Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
60 minutes, cancelled in bad weather
Meeting place: In front of the Garden Office (during the illumination event period,there will also be a meeting place at the Somei-mon gate entrance)
Fee: Free
Guided tours in English The first and third Sunday of the month, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
60 minutes, cancelled in bad weather
Meeting place: In front of the Garden Office
Fee: Free

ACCESS

MAP OF THE GARDENS

Inquiries

Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association

Phone:+81-3-3232-3038 (Japanese only)

kouhou@tokyo-park.or.jp (English)

Management Section, Park Division, Bureau of Construction

Phone:+81-3-5320-5365 (Japanese only)

S0000378@section.metro.tokyo.jp (English)