Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a masterpiece located in the heart of Tokyo. For a 500 JPY ticket, you get three stunning parks in one: a traditional Japanese garden, a formal French garden, and a sprawling English landscape.
While it’s famous as the real-life setting for the anime “The Garden of Words” (言の葉の庭) it truly shines during autumn, becoming one of Tokyo’s most popular and accessible spots to see fall colors.
10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station (South Exit):
Shinjuku Gyoen Highlights
Diverse Garden Styles: A rare blend of Japanese Traditional, English Landscape, and French Formal gardens.
Prime Autumn Spot: One of Tokyo’s top locations for Koyo (maples) and golden Ginkgo (Nov-Dec).
Quiet Environment: A vast, peaceful oasis with a “magical power to calm the heart,” perfect for escaping the city.
Anime Pilgrimage: The official real-life location for Makoto Shinkai’s anime, “The Garden of Words.”
Vast Open Lawns: Sprawling green spaces perfect for lying on the grass and relaxing under “super big trees.”
The Three Gardens
The park’s main draw is its unique blend of styles:
- Japanese Traditional Garden: Features a classic teahouse, large ponds filled with koi, and meticulously shaped pines.
- English Landscape Garden: This is where you’ll find the “vast, open lawns” perfect for laying down a blanket, reading a book, or having a picnic under the “super big trees.”
- French Formal Garden: Symmetrical, elegant, and filled with over 500 varieties of roses (in season).
🍂 Shinjuku Gyoen in Autumn: A Koyo & Ginkgo Paradise
Every year from late November to early December, Shinjuku Gyoen transforms. The park becomes a canvas of fiery reds, oranges, and brilliant golds, drawing locals and tourists alike to relax on the lawns and soak in the precious warm sun before winter.
Best Time for Autumn Foliage (Koyo)
- Peak Season: Late November to Early December. This is when the Momiji (maples) are at their most vibrant red, and the Ginkgo trees are a stunning golden yellow.
- Best Time for Photos: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (14:30 – 16:30). The warm, “golden hour” light from the setting sun illuminates the leaves, making their colors exceptionally rich and layered.
An Anime Pilgrimage: “The Garden of Words”
For anime fans, Shinjuku Gyoen is hallowed ground. It is the main, beautifully rendered setting for Makoto Shinkai’s film “The Garden of Words” (言の葉の庭). You can find the iconic covered bench where Takao and Yukino meet, making it a must-visit spot for any anime tour of Tokyo.
📍 Visitor’s Guide: Know Before You Go
We’ve gathered the essential info (and checked the official details) to make your visit seamless.
| Category | Information |
| Address | 11 Naitōmachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014 |
| Access | 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (South Exit). |
| Hours | 09:00 AM – 4:00 PM (16:00) |
| Admission | 500 JPY |
| Payment | Credit Cards and Debit Cards are accepted. |
| Accessibility | The park is highly accessible with accessible entrances and accessible parking. |
| Good For… | Children, picnics, walking, photography, and anime fans. |
| Phone | 03-3350-0151 |
Next Spot: Hanazono Shrine
