Sight guide · Tokyo · Japan
Visiting Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
A former imperial garden combining French formal, English landscape and traditional Japanese styles over 58 hectares, with a large greenhouse and around 1,000 cherry trees of many varieties that flower over several weeks.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a garden in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Garden
- Area
- Shinjuku
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, outdoors, couples and photo spot
- Best months
- October–December
About Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
A former imperial garden combining French formal, English landscape and traditional Japanese styles over 58 hectares, with a large greenhouse and around 1,000 cherry trees of many varieties that flower over several weeks. A small entry fee and a ban on alcohol keep it calmer than other parks in blossom season.
Tip: Visit from late March to mid-April for cherry blossom, or from mid-November to early December for autumn leaves.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Shinjuku, skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations.
Best time to visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- October: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- December: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tokyo has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tokyo itinerary visits Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden on day 3, together with Golden Gai, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories and Odaiba.
- No. 8 of the 20 sights in our Tokyo things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 7-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tokyo.
Near Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Also in Shinjuku, so you can walk between them:
- Golden Gai — 1–2 hours, low cost
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories — 45 minutes, free
If you like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Shibuya Sky — Shibuya, 1 hour
- Ueno Park — Ueno, 2–3 hours
- Imperial Palace East Gardens — Marunouchi, 1–1.5 hours
- Nezu Museum — Aoyama, 1.5 hours
Staying near Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Stay in Shinjuku ($$$) to walk here: skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations. All areas to stay in Tokyo.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden?
Plan 1.5–2 hours. With Golden Gai nearby, it fits a half-day in Shinjuku.
+Is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden?
October–December for the most comfortable weather. Visit from late March to mid-April for cherry blossom, or from mid-November to early December for autumn leaves.
+Do I need to book Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.