Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

新宿御苑

Shinjuku Gyoen is a large national garden near Shinjuku Station, run by Japan's Ministry of the Environment. The land was once the Edo-period residence of the Naito family, and later became a garden of the Imperial Household. A Western-style redesign by Henri Martinet was completed in 1906, and the garden was used for imperial events. It opened to the public as a national garden on 21 May 1949.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

9:00–18:00 from 15 March to 30 September (9:00–19:00 from 11 June to 31 July); 9:00–16:30 from 1 October to 14 March. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Closed

Closed on Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday) and 29 December–3 January. Open every day during the cherry blossom season and the Chrysanthemum Exhibition.

Admission

Adults 500 yen (400 yen for groups of 30+); seniors 65+ and students 16+ 250 yen; children 15 and under free.

Getting there

Shinjuku Gate: 10 minutes from the South Exit of Shinjuku Station, or 5 minutes from Exit 1 of Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Station (Marunouchi Line).

Sendagaya Gate: 5 minutes from Sendagaya Station (JR Sobu Line).

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Transportation IC cards can be used to pay at the entry gates.
Alcoholic drinks, animals (except assistance dogs) and drones are not allowed in the garden.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the garden.
The Tokyo Muslim travelers' guide lists Ramen Honolu Shinjukugyoenmae, near the garden at 1-31-3 Shinjuku. Check the menu with the restaurant.
Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Tokyo and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.