![[Photo] A view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Shinjuku Gyoen. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.](/national-garden/shinjukugyoen/event/images/heading_sp.jpg)
The garden offers a Nature Observation Program for children and their guardians at the Mother and Child Woods, a field for nature observation in Shinjuku Gyoen. The garden also hosts the Wild Bird Nest Box Program, a hands-on experience for children and their guardians to learn about wild bird ecology and the lives of wild creatures through nest boxes installed in the Mother and Child Woods.
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Mother and Child Woods:
Nature Observation Program -
Mother and Child Woods:
Wild Bird Nest Box Program
Mother and Child Woods: Nature Observation Program
- Organizers: Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office, Ministry of the Environment; and The National Gardens Association Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Instructor: Shinjuku Gyoen Mori no Kai
- Participation fee: None (garden admission fee required separately)
Event Information
Sunday, April 26, 2026: Exploring the Forest in Spring
- Content: What kinds of animals and plants live in the forest of fresh green leaves?
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Thursday, March 26 – Wednesday, April 8 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Sunday, June 7, 2026: Early Summer Forest Exploration
- Content: What kinds of animals and plants live in the early summer forest?
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Thursday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 20 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Saturday, August 1, 2026: Nighttime Forest Exploration
- Content: Let’s observe the nighttime activities of forest creatures.
- Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Subject: Children in grades 3–9 and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Wednesday, July 1 – Tuesday, July 14 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Sunday, September 20, 2026: Insect Hunting in the Grasslands
- Content: Let’s go look for insects in the vast grasslands
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Thursday, August 20 – Wednesday, September 2 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Sunday, October 25, 2026: Let’s Play with Nuts
- Content: Let’s take a walk in the forest and look for acorns!
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Friday, September 25 – Thursday, October 8 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Sunday, December 6, 2026: Let’s Play with Fallen Leaves
- Content: What can we do with fallen leaves in the forest?
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Friday, November 6 – Thursday, November 19 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
Sunday, March 7, 2027: Let’s Look for Spring
- Content: Are the animals and plants getting ready for spring?
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Subject: Children ages 4 to 9th grade and their guardians
- Capacity: Approximately 60 participants
- Application Period: Sunday, February 7 – Saturday, February 20 (Lottery selection after the application period ends)
How to Apply ＜Advance Application Required＞
Please apply via email with the information listed below.
- The office will reply to you at the address you provide within five (5) days to confirm that your application has been received.
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application shortly after the end of the application period.
- Name and date of event
- Age, gender, and full name (including furigana) of each participant
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- How you found out about the event
*Participants will be selected by lottery from among those who apply during the application period.
*Applications missing any required information will not be considered.
*Families should apply with a single application.
*Children outside the target age range are not covered by event insurance and cannot participate in the event.
*Please submit one application per event.
*Please check your email settings to make sure that you can receive emails from gyoen-koza@live.jp
*Inclement weather or other anticipated circumstances may result in event cancellation or changes to the program.
*Photos of the event and participants may be used for publicity purposes.
*The personal information you provide in your application will be used only to the extent necessary for the operation of this event.
*Collecting plants or animals is prohibited in Shinjuku Gyoen outside of the Mother and Child Woods Nature Observation Program.
*Please take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and using insect repellent spray.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Contact for Application and Inquiries
“Mother and Child Woods Nature Observation Program” Section, Shinjuku Gyoen Service Center
11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
Phone: 03-3350-0151
Email: gyoen-koza@live.jp
Mother and Child Woods: Wild Bird Nest Box Program
- Organizer: Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds
- Co-organizer: Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office, Ministry of the Environment
- Target: Children ages 4 to 12 and accompanying guardians
- Participation fee: 1,000–2,300 yen per child (garden admission fee required separately)
Event Information
Details are currently being finalized and will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.
How to Apply ＜Advance Application Required＞
Please apply via email with the information listed below.
- The office will reply to you at the address you provide within five (5) days to confirm that your application has been received.
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application shortly after the end of the application period.
- Name and date of event
- Age, gender, and full names (including furigana) of each participant
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- How you found out about the event
*Participants will be selected by lottery from among those who apply during the application period.
*Applications missing any required information will not be considered.
*Families should apply with a single application.
*Children outside the target age range are not covered by event insurance and cannot participate in the event.
*Please submit one application per event.
*Please check your email settings to make sure that you can receive emails from gyoen-koza@live.jp
*Inclement weather or other anticipated circumstances may result in event cancellation or changes to the program.
*Photos of the event and participants may be used for publicity purposes.
*The personal information you provide in your application will be used only to the extent necessary for the operation of this event.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the above.
Contact for Application and Inquiries
“Wild Bird Nest Box Program” Coordinator, Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office, Ministry of the Environment,
11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
Phone: 03-3350-0152
Email: gyoen-koza@live.jp