Kokoen Garden Autumn Leaves Festival 2026

Dates & time: November 17, 2026 (Tue) - December 6, 2026 (Sun) 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (last entry 7:30 p.m.). Illumination from sunset
Price & booking: Admission: 400 yen (ages 18 and over), free for under 18 (no re-entry). Maple tea gathering: 1,000 yen per session (with sweets) No reservation is needed to enter. The maple tea gathering is first come, first served on the day; each session closes when full
Venue & access: Kokoen Garden (Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden) About a 15-minute walk from JR/Sanyo Himeji Station

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There are 9 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Kokoen Garden (Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden), and 3 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

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Why You Should Visit

Kokoen, the Japanese garden laid out on the former Nishi-Oyashiki residence grounds of Himeji Castle, extends its hours to 8:00 p.m. during the autumn foliage season and lights up the garden from sunset. The festival runs for 20 days, from November 17 to December 6. On four weekend evenings, special concerts in the Tsukiyama Pond Garden pair the illuminated maples with taiko drums, shinobue bamboo flute, hauta shamisen and the Chinese dizi flute. A maple tea gathering is also held at the Sojuan tea house on November 21. Admission is 400 yen for ages 18 and over and free for anyone younger. It suits travelers who want to visit Himeji Castle by day and see the garden after dark.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Restaurant Kassuiken

Open in the evening during the festival (5:00-7:30 p.m., last order 7:00 p.m.)

※Inquiries: Kokoen Garden, 079-289-4120

Autumn Leaves History Heritage Night View Culture Art Date

出典: 姫路観光コンベンションビューロー

Kobe · Gluten-free

Kyoto & Kansai autumn leaves map →

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FAQ

Do I need a reservation?

No reservation is needed to enter, and the special concerts are open to all visitors. The maple tea gathering on November 21 is first come, first served, and each session closes when full.

How much is admission for children?

Admission is free for anyone under 18. Ages 18 and over pay 400 yen.

Can I leave and come back for the evening illumination?

Re-entry is not allowed. If the illumination is your goal, entering around sunset lets you see the garden both before and after dark. Last entry is 7:30 p.m.