Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves 2026 Confirmed
三溪園の紅葉 — Yokohama, Kanagawa (Kanto)
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- Typical peak
- Nov 25 – Thu, December 10, 2026
- Venue
- Sankeien Garden, Naka-ku, Yokohama (三溪園)
- Illumination
- Yes — nighttime illumination during peak season
- Official site
- www.sankeien.or.jp
Sankeien is a 175,000-square-metre garden opened in 1906 by the silk merchant Hara Sankei, who bought seventeen historic buildings from Kyoto, Kamakura, Nara and Gifu and rebuilt them here around ponds and wooded hills. The oldest is a three-storied pagoda of 1457, the oldest surviving pagoda in the Kanto region, standing on the hill above everything else. Maple colour in the inner garden and the normally closed valley walk peaks in the last days of November and the first ten days of December. Open 9:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30.
Background
Hara Tomitaro, who used the art name Sankei, made his fortune in raw silk exported through the port of Yokohama and opened the outer part of his garden to the public free of charge in 1906. He was also a serious patron of Japanese painting, supporting Yokoyama Taikan and Shimomura Kanzan among others. The garden was badly damaged in the 1945 air raids on Yokohama and was restored from 1953 under a foundation, which still runs it.
Getting there
City buses run from the east exit of Yokohama Station to the Sankeien-iriguchi stop in about 35 minutes, then it is a five-minute walk. From Negishi Station on the JR Negishi Line a bus reaches Honmoku in about ten minutes, leaving a seven-minute walk. There is paid parking on site, which fills on autumn weekends.
Tips
- The valley walkway through the maples opens only in the foliage season and closes at 16:00 daily — earlier than the garden itself.
- The illumination runs on Fridays, weekends and holidays rather than every night, so check the dates before planning an evening.
- After 16:30 the path past the pagoda closes and the pagoda is viewed from the foot of the hill; if you want it close up, go in daylight.
- The outer garden is the busier half; the inner garden, with the Rinshunkaku villa and the teahouses, is where the quiet compositions are.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to see Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves?
- Autumn color at Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves typically peaks from Nov 25 – Dec 10. Exact timing shifts year to year with the weather, so check a real-time foliage forecast close to your trip.
- Where is Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves, and how do you get there?
- Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves is located at Sankeien Garden, Naka-ku, Yokohama in Yokohama, Kanagawa. City buses run from the east exit of Yokohama Station to the Sankeien-iriguchi stop in about 35 minutes, then it is a five-minute walk. From Negishi Station on the JR Negishi Line a bus reaches Honmoku in about ten minutes, leaving a seven-minute walk. There is paid parking on site, which fills on autumn weekends.
- Is there a nighttime illumination at Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves?
- Yes — Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves holds special evening illumination during peak leaf season. Hours and exact dates change every year, so confirm with the official site before you go.
- Is Sankeien Garden Autumn Leaves free to enter, or do I need tickets?
- Most autumn leaves spots in Japan are free to enter, though some temples and gardens charge a small admission fee — especially during peak-season night illuminations. Check the official site for this location's exact pricing.
Last verified against the official source: Sat, August 22, 2026
Plan your trip
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