Major Events｜Events｜Shinjuku Gyoen

Spring Special Open Days
(around late March to late April)

Each year during the peak cherry-blossom season of March 25 to April 24, Shinjuku Gyoen stays open seven days a week so visitors can enjoy cherry blossom viewing.

Spring

Shinjuku Gyoen is known as one of the finest spots in Tokyo for cherry blossoms. In the budding season of spring, visitors can enjoy a wide range of flowers in addition to the cherries.
March: Cherry, Yulan magnolia, Spring starflower, Japanese quince, Thunberg spirea, Wild daffodil
April: Dead nettle, Azalea, Flowering crab apple, Flowering dogwood, Handkerchief tree, Chinese violet cress, Japanese rose
May: Deutzia, Mountain laurel, Reeves spirea, Satsuki (azalea), Hyacinth orchid, Rhododendron, Horse chestnut, Baby rose, Fragrant snowbell, Wisteria, Japanese big leaf magnolia, Tulip tree

Early Opening
(around July to February)

Activities not offered during regular opening hours are held in the early morning hours, mainly in summer and winter, during periods when there are relatively fewer visitors. The activities aim to provide more satisfactory and diverse experiences for visitors while preserving the historical heritage and landscape of Shinjuku Gyoen.

Summer

Summer is a season of deepening green as the leaves on the trees reach their verdant peak. One of the attractions of summer is enjoying the garden during the comfortable evening hours as the garden closing time is extended to match the longer days.
June: Hydrangea, Indian bean, Southern magnolia, Japanese stewartia, False spirea
July: Agapanthus, Common coral tree, Peruvian lily, Tiger lily, Oleander, Shrub coral tree, Glossy abelia, Shrubby althaea
August: Crape myrtle, Aeginetia indica, White lily turf, Pineapple lily, Peegee hydrangea

Autumn

Autumn in Shinjuku Gyoen is a season of brilliant colors. In addition to blossoming roses, the rows of gingko and sycamore trees are ablaze in brilliant gold. Although known primarily for their blossoms, the cherry trees also turn a range of autumn colors.
September: Scilla scilloides, Bush clover, Flowering dogwood, Spider lily, Ehretia dicksonii, Lily turf
October: Fragrant olive, Jugatsu-zakura, Eulalia, Taiwanese toad lily, Rose, Acorns, Japanese beautyberry
November: Maidenhair tree, Kobuku-zakura, Sasanqua, Salvia leucantha, Tea plant, Leopard plant, Himalaya-zakura

Mori no Takigi Noh Theater

Held since 1985, visitors to this event can enjoy Noh and Kyogen performances on a stage in the garden of Shinjuku Gyoen. Lit by torchlight, the Noh stage seems to rise straight out of the darkness of night. Experience a mystical world where flute, drum, and taiko echo in the silent gardens.

Chrysanthemum Exhibition

The Shinjuku Gyoen chrysanthemum exhibition is an event that inherits the tradition of the imperial family. In late fall, the Japanese Traditional Garden is transformed by a wide variety of enchanting chrysanthemum flowers. Experience a deeply elegant world of traditional Japanese beauty.

Orchid Exhibition

The greenhouse at Shinjuku Gyoen is considered to be the birthplace of full-scale orchid cultivation in Japan. This exhibition is held in the greenhouse each year in mid-November and features some 200 blooms submitted by orchid enthusiasts.

Winter

Enjoy a relaxing walk in crisp air and under clear blue skies as you listen closely for the sounds of birds. When you feel cold, step into the greenhouse that is an oasis of green even in midwinter. As winter nears its end, the Japanese Traditional Garden is filled with the aroma of plum blossoms.
December: Maple leaves, Kantsubaki (Camellia), Loquat, Dawn redwood
January: Channelled heath, Chinese sacred lily, Paper white narcissus, Amur adonis, Wintersweet
February: Japanese apricot, Kanzakura, Christmas rose, Japanese cornelian cherry, Camellia, Japanese witch hazel, Paperbush