Rikugien Gardens
Komagome, Tokyo
- Daily
- 9:00 to 17:00
Last entry 16:30. Closed 29 December to 1 January.
Source: tokyo-park.or.jp, checked 5 Oct 2026.
Rikugien is an Edo-period strolling garden that many people call Tokyo's most beautiful, built around a central pond with 88 scenes from classical poetry. The autumn lighting of the maples is one of the city's big seasonal events.
More photos of Rikugien Gardens
Insider tip
Entry is 300 yen. Come in late November for the maples, or late March for the famous weeping cherry by the entrance, lit up at night.
What the guides say about Rikugien Gardens
Rikugien Garden in Komagome is smaller but spectacular. It runs an illumination in late November and early December (25 November to 6 December in 2026), staying open into the evening with the maples around the pond lit up. The lit tree against the dark pond is the single best koyo image in central Tokyo. There's a queue on weekend evenings, so arrive early or go on a weekday. Komagome is three Yamanote stops from Nippori, on the edge of the Yanaka neighbourhood guide's old-town streets, so the two pair into one day. Walk Yanaka in the morning, then see the illumination after dark.
What's on at Rikugien Gardens
Upcoming events at Rikugien Gardens and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Tokyo events calendar.
Rikugien Autumn Illumination
庭紅葉の六義園 夜間特別観賞
Time 18:00 to 20:30, last entry 19:30 Station Komagome (JR Yamanote Line and Namboku Line), 7 min walk
Rikugien closes at 17:00 and reopens at 18:00 for its autumn night viewing, with the maples around the pond lit up, projections on the earthen storehouse wall and photo spots around the garden. Tickets are ¥1,000 online in advance or ¥1,200 on the day, and children below elementary school age get in free.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Rikugien Spring Nighttime Viewing
六義園 春のライトアップ
Station Komagome (JR Yamanote Line, Namboku Line), 7 min walk
The Edo-period landscape garden opens after dark for about a week so visitors can see its huge weeping cherry tree lit up, with last entry at 8pm. Dates shift with the bloom and are confirmed only about a week ahead; advance online tickets are slightly cheaper.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Autumn Night Viewing at Rikugien Gardens
六義園 紅葉と大名庭園の夜間特別開園
Station Komagome (JR Yamanote Line, Namboku Line), 7 min walk
The Edo-period strolling garden reopens in the evening with its maples lit in layers of red and gold reflected in the central pond. Night tickets are separate from daytime admission; dates follow the leaves and are confirmed in autumn.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Sugamo Togenuki Jizo Ennichi Market
とげぬき地蔵尊 縁日
Time Main hall open until 20:00 on ennichi days Station Sugamo (JR Yamanote Line / Toei Mita Line), 5 min walk
On the 4th, 14th and 24th of every month, an ennichi market fills Sugamo's Jizo-dori shopping street with stalls and food stands around Koganji Temple. On these ennichi days the main hall stays open until 8pm, later than its usual closing time. Known locally as the Harajuku for grandmothers, the street draws large crowds of older shoppers and visitors on market days.
Smaller local events nearby
Autumn at Rikugien Garden
On now, until 6 Dec · Rikugien Gardens, Komagome
An autumn programme of Japanese culture at Rikugien, with music, displays and hands-on activities, included in the garden admission.
Free with garden admission · Map · Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association · 秋の六義園 ～大名庭園で日本文化に親しもう～
Rikugien Yukitsuri Traditional Craft Viewing Garden
Sun 1 Nov · Rikugien Gardens, Komagome
A viewing of the traditional yukitsuri tree-support work, with mast construction shown and explained.
from 10:30 · Map · Source: Rikugien Gardens (Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association) · 伝統技能見学会「雪吊り」開催のお知らせ 11月1日(日)、15日(日)
Nearby
Good to know
- What is the address of Rikugien Gardens?
- 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (in Japanese: 東京都文京区本駒込6-16-3).
- What are the opening hours of Rikugien Gardens?
- Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry 16:30. Closed 29 December to 1 January.
- How do I get to Rikugien Gardens?
- The nearest station is Komagome (JR). Rikugien Gardens is in Komagome, Tokyo.
- How much does Rikugien Gardens cost?
- Rikugien Gardens is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Rikugien Gardens?
- Plan for 1-2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Rikugien Gardens?
- Late November illuminations.
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