Tokyo Koishikawa Enraku Nightly Illumination! November’s Maple Leaf Viewing Special Entry Guide

2026.10.23

Tokyo Koishikawa Enraku Nightly Illumination! November’s Maple Leaf Viewing Special Entry Guide

In Tokyo, you don't have to go to the far suburbs to enjoy the autumn leaves. It's located in Bunkyo Ward, and it's easy to get to from Iidabashi and Horakuen Station.Shikusegawa Gekkan (Shikusegawa Gekkan)The special nighttime opening "Enjoying the Light of the Deep Woods" will be held from November 13 to 24, 2026. During the day, the historical garden features water features and stone bridges, and at night, lights and projections illuminate the Great Pond, Moon Gate Bridge, Tangmen Gate, and the Tsukiji Wall. If you plan to visit the Tokyo Dome, Senzoku, and Iidabashi areas, a two-hour stroll through the gardens in the evening will give you a sense of autumn in the city center.

The activity time is from 18:00 to 21:00, and admission is at 20:00 at the latest. The park closes at 17:00, and is reopened for special nighttime viewing. Entrance is restricted to the West Gate only; please be sure to note this. Compared to the convenience of entering and exiting at any time during the day, the nighttime ticket, entry flow, and photo-taking rhythm require a bit more planning, but this also allows for avoiding the hustle and bustle of daytime sightseeing, and seeing the later park in a quieter light under the light and shadow.

The night view of Daizuan Water, Yuanyue Bridge and Tangmen

The activities center around Daizuin Water, with garden landmarks such as the Poma Island, a pine tree, the Round Moon Bridge, Tangmen Gate, and the Snow Hanging Bridge all being incorporated into the light and shadow show. Later Gardens is also perfect for taking leisurely strolls around the pond; after lighting the lanterns at night, there’s no need to rush to capture every single spot; first take a walk along the water’s edge, confirm the angle you like, and wait for the crowds to gradually disperse; this is a way to capture both the photos and the scenery.

The Tsukiji fence will be equipped with projection mapping, making the walls of traditional gardens part of the nighttime visual experience. For photos of people, choose a pond or front of the gate with more stable lighting; for silhouettes, pay attention to the water surface and wind. Tripods, selfie sticks, or other shooting guidelines should be based on the announcements made that day; do not enter restricted areas to get a shot; some areas may be inaccessible at night due to safety reasons.

Special dessert for night time, food carts, and collecting stamps fun

There are food trucks in the area around Matsubara, and the tea house "Bidoiro Tea House" also offers limited-time desserts at night. It’s a comfortable arrangement to start with dinner at Shinkasaka or the Tokyo Dome area, then stroll around the park and finish with dessert. The nighttime activities at the park are not a large-scale market; the food selection may change depending on the day, so it’s not recommended to rely entirely on the park for your main meal.

There is also a stamp rally themed around the Little Mei character, and limited quantities of bamboo lantern lanterns are for sale daily. If you want to buy lanterns or participate in the stamp collection in full, it is recommended to enter the garden early after 18:00; for those who just want to take photos quietly and avoid the crowds at the entrance, you can enter after 18:30. These small details make the garden not just a night route, but also add an interactive element that makes it suitable for friends to come together.

Ticket prices, admission times, and traffic tips

Advance tickets for special nighttime viewing are 1,000 yen, and day tickets are 1,200 yen. Advance tickets will go on sale on October 1st at 10:00 via the online ticketing platform; day tickets will be sold in limited quantities at the Seimei window starting at 18:00, cash only. High school students and older must purchase tickets; those with a physical or mental disability and one companion can use a ticket priced at 500 yen each. If you don’t want to queue for tickets on weekends or during holidays, buying advance tickets beforehand is more secure.

Ximen is about 3 minutes’ walk from the C3 exit of Iidabashi Station on the Yūten Oedo Line; it is about 8 minutes from the east exit of JR Iidabashi Station and the Tokyo Metro Iidabashi Station and Horakuen Station. Nighttime activities are only allowed through the Ximen entrance; do not follow the usual daytime entrance and head to the east side to discover that you need to take a detour. There is no parking available within the park; for travelers staying in the Tokyo metropolitan area, taking the train is the most convenient way to get there.

How should it be arranged in Tokyo at night?

In the afternoon, you can first visit Shinkasaka Alley, Tokyo Dome City, or the area around Shodai-bashi before heading to Iidabashi for dinner in the evening. After 18:00, head to Roppongi Hills; usually a 90-minute to two-hour window is the best time; if you want to take more photos or eat dessert, allow at least two hours. After that, take the JR or subway from Iidabashi back to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, or Tokyo Station; it’s especially suitable for independent travelers who don’t want to sacrifice their entire day for the sake of seeing the maple leaves.

In November, the night in Tokyo gets colder, and the feel-temperature of walking by the water is even lower. Jackets and comfortable shoes are a must. The degree of color change of the maple leaves is influenced by the weather; the activity period doesn’t mean that it’s always the most red during the day; focusing on the gardens, lighting, and the autumn night atmosphere can instead make the most of this historic garden in the city center.

Event Information

Event Name:Shikishikawa Garon Park Night Special Opening: "Enjoying the Forest of Light"

Period:November 13th to 24th, 2026

Time:18:00～21:00, last entry at 20:00; closed from 17:00 to 18:00

Location:Shikishikawa Gekkan is only open to those entering through the West Gate.

Fares:Pre-sale: 1,000 yen; on the day: 1,200 yen

Address:東京都文京區後樂1-6-6

Traffic:It takes 3 minutes on foot from the C3 exit of Yodogawa Line Itabashi Station; 8 minutes on foot from the east exit of JR Itabashi Station

Special website:Event Page

A lingering scent of maple leaves in central Tokyo after a night of staying there

Nighttime special openings at Shijo Kawaguchiko Gardens combine Tokyo’s historical gardens, autumn illumination, and short nighttime visits. From November 13 to 24, if you happen to be in Tokyo, why not spend an evening at Iidabashi, walk into a garden illuminated by the water, and end the day in a quieter way than shopping streets.