Cherry Blossom Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is beautiful during the day, but have you ever wanted to check it out after hours?

For sakura season this year, the park is collaborating with art collective Naked to provide you with a never-before-seen experience. If you have ever been to the Nijo Castle flower illumination in Kyoto, you’ll know what to expect, but if you haven’t, read on.

What happens?

You’ll be given your own lantern to take with you around the park as you explore both real and digital cherry blossoms. One of the highlighted cherry tree varieties is Fukurokuju, which will be lit up from early April. Although, they will move the exhibitions around depending on which of the 70 varieties inside Shinjuku Gyoen is in bloom.

Visitors can also purchase vegan food and sit on the lawn, but be warned that alcohol is not allowed inside Shinjuku Gyoen, so it will have to be a dry hanami (flower-viewing). In the spirit of being sustainable, and with help from the Ministry of the Environment, they will use an eco-car instead of a generator to power some of the displays.

Tickets

• From Monday to Thursday, tickets costs ¥1,600–¥1,700 in advance and ¥1,800 on the day.
• On Fridays, weekends, and holidays, tickets cost ¥1,800–¥1,900 in advance and ¥2,200 on the day.

There are also concession prices available. For ¥600 more, you can also help yourself to a cute sakura-shaped picnic mat. They will also be sold on the day for ¥700. You can buy tickets in English here.

Note: You cannot purchase tickets on the day on the following dates: 4/1 (Sat), 4/2 (Sun), 4/3 (Mon) – 4/6 (Thu) 4/7 (Fri), 4/8 (Sat), 4/ 9 (Sun) 4/14 (Fri), 4/15 (Sat), 4/16 (Sun) 4/21 (Fri), 4/22 (Sat), and 4/23 (Sun).