Researched guide · Checked on Oct 20, 2026
Rikugien is one of Tokyo’s most beautiful Japanese gardens, a strolling garden built in 1702 around a pond and small hills, near Komagome Station. It is famous for its weeping cherry tree in spring and for autumn leaves, with a special night illumination in late autumn. Here is what to know before you go.
Quick answer
Admission: ¥300 for adults, ¥150 for 65+. Free for elementary school children and younger.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed December 29 – January 1.
Autumn night illumination 2026: November 25 – December 6, 18:00–20:30 (last entry 19:30). Separate night ticket: ¥1,000 in advance online, ¥1,200 on the day.
About the garden
Rikugien was created in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a trusted adviser of the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. It later became a residence of Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi, and opened to the public in 1938. The name comes from a way of classifying poetry into six types, and scenes from famous poems are recreated around the garden. It covers about 88,000 m², with pines, maples, cherry trees and camellias.
Tickets and hours
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | ¥300 |
| 65 and over | ¥150 |
| Elementary school children and younger | Free |
| Groups of 20+ | 20% off |
Open 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed December 29 – January 1.
Autumn night illumination (2026)
During the autumn leaves season, the garden reopens at night with light-ups and projection mapping on an old storehouse from the Iwasaki era and in the bamboo grove.
| Dates | November 25 – December 6, 2026 |
| Hours | 18:00–20:30 (last entry 19:30). The garden closes at 17:00 and reopens at 18:00. |
| Tickets | ¥1,000 in advance (online only); ¥1,200 on the day (online, or cash at the main gate). Elementary school children and younger are free. |
| Note | Daytime tickets are not valid at night. Online ticket holders use a priority lane, and numbers are limited each day. |
How to get there
| Station | Line | Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Komagome | JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line | About 7 min |
| Sengoku | Toei Mita Line | About 10 min |
Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku.
FAQ
How much is Rikugien?
¥300 for adults and ¥150 for visitors aged 65 and over. Elementary school children and younger are free.
When is the Rikugien autumn light-up in 2026?
From November 25 to December 6, 2026, 18:00–20:30 (last entry 19:30). A separate night ticket is needed.
Can I use my daytime ticket for the night illumination?
No. The night illumination needs its own night viewing ticket.
What is the nearest station to Rikugien?
Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line and the Namboku Line, about 7 minutes on foot.
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Sources
Hours, prices, history and illumination details come from the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association’s official websites (checked October 20, 2026). Please check before you go.
