Garden
Rules

To All Visitors

Shinjuku Gyoen is a historic garden on the grounds of a former imperial garden. Garden staff are committed to protecting the precious flora and fauna and facilities in the garden, as well as ensuring that all visitors to the garden have an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable experience. Therefore, the following acts (and similar acts) are prohibited for all visitors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

1. The following items are prohibited in the garden

• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals (not including assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities)
• Plants
• Bicycles, balance bikes, tricycles, unicycles, and hand trollies and carts that require an area of 5 m² or more when in use
• Drones
• Bug nets and cages
• Household garbage
• Swords, firearms, and other dangerous items

2. Refrain from play or exercise using the following or similar equipment

• Ball games such as catch and soccer
• Running or jogging in a group of 10 or more people
• Badminton
• Roller skates, roller blades, scooters, and skateboards
• Radio-controlled helicopters and cars
• Frisbees, boomerangs
• Rope-jumping, kite-flying

However, children of elementary-school age or younger can use play equipment in the Kid’s Area, if it does not pose any danger to other visitors (rubber balls, jump ropes, etc.). Please note that hard balls such as soccer balls, as well as baseball equipment, skateboards, and radio-controlled planes and other toys are prohibited.

3. Refrain from any acts that may damage animals, plants, garden facilities, etc., such as

• Picking and/or damaging any plant or flower
• Capturing and/or killing animals (including fish and insects)
• Climbing trees
• Feeding animals (including fish and insects)
• Bringing in animals (including fish and insects)
• Entering restricted or protected planting areas
• Bringing in and planting plants, flowers, or seeds
• Destroying and/or defacing facilities or other structures

4. Refrain from acts that prevent the proper management of Shinjuku Gyoen or acts that disturb other visitors, such as

• Building a bonfire or using a portable stove or any equipment that produces a flame
• Playing musical instruments or using radio-cassette players, loudspeakers, whistles, or any equipment that creates a loud noise
• Bringing in and/or parking a personal vehicle in the garden
• Collecting donations
• Handing out flyers or leaflets
• Smoking (including electronic cigarettes, etc.; this applies to all areas of the garden, including the Promenade and parking area)
• Going shirtless or wearing swimsuits or other revealing clothing, or wearing outfits that frighten or disgust others
• Bringing in professional camera equipment during periods when an especially large number of visitors is expected, such as the cherry blossom season and Chrysanthemum Exhibition period, to take photos or videos of specific persons (for more details, please refer to “Photography Using Professional Equipment” on the website)
• Swimming or playing in the ponds or moat

5. Refrain from acts that harm the garden landscapes in Shinjuku Gyoen, such as

• Disposing of or leaving garbage, trash, or waste anywhere other than in designated trash receptacles
• Installing or displaying flags, banners, signboards, posters, etc.
• Setting up and using tents, parasols, etc. However, setting up small tents for infant heatstroke safety is permitted.

6. Refrain from commercial activities (unless authorized by garden management), such as

• Displaying and selling goods, etc.
• Taking photos or videos for financial gain
• Holding paid workshops (such as photography, sketching, yoga, tai chi, and walking), sports competitions, industry promotion, exhibitions, or any other similar events for financial gain
• Any other commercial activities that have not been authorized by garden management

7. Other precautions

• Garden management may request that individuals cease any activities not falling under the above that are deemed inappropriate.
• In order to prevent accidents, etc., individuals who engage in illegal or violent acts or acts that bother other visitors, or those who fail to comply with guidance on using the garden, may be asked to leave.

8. Jogging in the garden

• Jogging is allowed only on the designated route shown on the map below.
• Jogging in groups of 10 or more is not permitted.
• Jogging is not permitted in the garden during the cherry blossom season, which includes the Spring Special Opening Period from March 25 to April 24.
• Please note that the route may be partially blocked due to construction or other work. In such cases, please slow down and make a detour at a walking pace.