On October 10, the Parks Foundation announced that it will hold the "Autumn Foliage Festival & Autumn Night Walk 2026" at Showa Kinen Park from October 29 to November 29. The main venues are the Canal, the Katarai Ginkgo Avenue and the Japanese Garden in the park, which spans Tachikawa and Akishima in Tokyo.
The photo is an image of the park's autumn scenery. How far the colors have turned varies by time of year.
Trees reflected on the water, and ginkgos overhead
The Canal combines two rows of trees with a waterway and fountains, and 106 ginkgo trees line an avenue of about 200 m. The best time to see them is roughly early to mid-November.
The Katarai Ginkgo Avenue is about 300 m long, with 98 ginkgo trees in their natural shape spreading their branches overhead. The best time here is roughly mid to late November. At night, light and music are combined in a presentation that shows a different view from the daytime.
The Japanese Garden and Bonsai Garden are also illuminated
The Japanese Garden is a stroll-style pond garden of about 6 ha, planted with about 300 maples. It also incorporates yukitsuri (snow-protection ropes), wind chimes, stone lanterns and Japanese paper umbrellas, and the Bonsai Garden is illuminated as well. The best time to see it is roughly early to late November.
On October 22, "Twelve Views to Enjoy the Japanese Garden" is scheduled to be released in the park's official app, "GO! Showa Kinen Park." While walking through 12 highlights, you can learn about the garden's history and culture and collect digital stamps.
Park admission and the Japanese Garden evening ticket are separate
During the event, the park is open from 9:30 to 21:00, with lighting from 16:30 to 20:30. Admission is ¥450 for adults, ¥210 for ages 65 and over, and free for junior high school students and younger. The Japanese Garden in the daytime can be viewed with this admission fee alone.
The Japanese Garden at night generally requires a separate viewing ticket: from ¥1,200 for adults and ages 65 and over, and from ¥600 for elementary and junior high school students. For three days only, October 29 to 31, this ticket is not required, and you can view it with park admission alone. This does not mean the whole park is free on those days.
- Event：Autumn Foliage Festival & Autumn Night Walk 2026
- Dates：Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 29, 2026
- Venue：Showa Kinen Park / Tachikawa and Akishima, Tokyo
- Hours：9:30 to 21:00, lighting 16:30 to 20:30
- Admission：Adults ¥450, ages 65 and over ¥210, junior high school students and younger free
- Japanese Garden at night：Separate viewing ticket required. Park admission only on October 29 to 31
Image: courtesy of the Parks Foundation (Parks Japan.F)
