Chrysanthemums (kiku, 菊) are the flower of autumn in Japan, and Tokyo has three well-known places to see them in 2026. This guide compares Sensoji’s chrysanthemum ceremony on Sunday, October 18, the Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition from November 1 to 15, and the Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival at Yushima Tenmangu from November 1 to 23. It gives dates, hours, fees and the nearest stations.
In short
- Shinjuku Gyoen is the only one with a confirmed entry fee: ¥500 for adults, ¥250 for seniors (65 and over) and students (high school and older), free for junior high school students and younger.
- Yushima Tenmangu has not announced a 2026 fee. The 2025 festival was free, so treat that as a guide only.
- Sensoji’s event is a ceremony, not a flower show. Worshippers swap small chrysanthemums for flowers offered in the main hall.
- All three are within a 5-minute walk of a station.
Checked with official pages on October 11, 2026.
The table lists the three events in date order. Tap a name to jump to its section.
| Place | Dates | Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensoji | Sun, Oct 18 | Main hall from 6:30 | Not stated |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | Sun, Nov 1 – Sun, Nov 15 | 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00) | ¥500 (adults) |
| Yushima Tenmangu | Sun, Nov 1 – Mon, Nov 23 | 6:00 to sunset | 2026 not stated |
“Not stated” means the official pages we checked do not give that item. All three official pages for these events are in Japanese, except Shinjuku Gyoen, which also posts an English notice.
1. What is the chrysanthemum ceremony at Sensoji (浅草寺)?
Depends on the temple
Kiku Kuyo-e (菊供養会) is held on October 18 at Sensoji’s main hall. In 2026 the date is a Sunday, and it is a Buddhist rite rather than a display of flowers. The official page says worshippers bring small chrysanthemums and exchange them for chrysanthemums already offered in the main hall, then take those home. A chrysanthemum-shaped amulet (菊のお守り) is given out only on this day, and a golden dragon dance (金龍の舞) is performed.
The ceremony began in 1898, after a sermon by the temple’s head priest on the tale of Kikujido, a boy said to have gained long life from dew on chrysanthemum leaves. The event page does not state start times or whether non-Buddhists can take part in the exchange. The main hall opens at 6:30 from October to March. For times, call the temple on a weekday (the phone is answered 9:00–16:30, except Sundays and holidays).
Asakusa Station is a 5-minute walk on the Tobu Skytree Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Tsukuba Express, and from exit A4 of the Toei Asakusa Line. Sensoji has no parking.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo (東京都台東区浅草2-3-1). Google Maps. Phone: 03-3842-0181. Official event page (Japanese).
2. How does the Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition work?
Ministry of the Environment
The Ministry of the Environment announced on October 6, 2026 that the exhibition runs from November 1 to 15, 2026, in the Japanese Garden. It is open every day, from 9:00 to 16:30, and the last entry is at 16:00. The English notice describes seven flower beds under roofed shelters, called uwaya (上家), and two open-air beds, and suggests following the path in order.
There is no extra ticket for the exhibition. You pay the garden’s entry fee: ¥500 for adults, ¥250 for seniors (65 and over) and students (high school and older), and free for junior high school students and younger. Visitors with a disability certificate and one helper enter free, and should show the certificate. Outside the Shinjuku Gate, the Information Center’s first-floor Art Gallery hosts a free guide exhibition on chrysanthemums during the period.
The garden has three gates. Shinjuku Gate is a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Fukutoshin Line exit E-5; Toei Shinjuku Line exits C1 and C5) and from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Line exit 1). It is a 10-minute walk from the south exit of JR Shinjuku Station. Okido Gate is 5 minutes from Shinjuku-gyoenmae exit 2, and Sendagaya Gate is 5 minutes from JR Sendagaya Station.
Note
Construction at Okido Gate means traffic restrictions around the gate from October 6 until late November 2026 (scheduled). The path is narrower than usual. Parking is next to Okido Gate, but the garden asks visitors to use public transport in the busy autumn leaf season.
Address: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo (東京都新宿区内藤町11). Google Maps. Phone (Service Center, 9:00–16:30): 03-3350-0151. Official notice (English).
3. What is the Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival at Yushima Tenmangu (湯島天満宮)?
Bunkyo City
The 48th Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival (文京菊まつり) is held at Yushima Tenmangu shrine from Sunday, November 1 to Monday, November 23, 2026 (a public holiday). The grounds open at 6:00 and the display runs until sunset. The city’s page lists chrysanthemum dolls (kiku ningyo), cascading chrysanthemums (kengai) and plants with many blooms on one stem (senrin-zaki) as highlights.
The 2026 page does not state an entry fee. The city’s announcement for the 2025 festival said entry was free, so it may be free again, but that is not confirmed. Events listed as of September 16 (they may change or be cancelled in bad weather) include a Bunkyo tourism booth with goods on November 7 and 8 (10:00–16:00), and a products fair from Tamba City on November 14 and 15 (10:00–16:00).
A free guided walk takes place on Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 and 13:30, about 1 hour each. It goes from the shrine to the Former Iwasaki House Garden entrance, about 1.5 km with slopes and stairs, and places are drawn by lottery. Apply online or by return-paid postcard (往復ハガキ, up to 2 people per card) so that it arrives by Saturday, October 17. The page does not state the language of the tour. Questions: 03-5803-1941 (Bunkyo City tourism information).
The nearest station is Yushima on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, exit 3, 2 minutes on foot. Ueno-hirokoji (Ginza Line) and Ueno-okachimachi (Toei Oedo Line, exit A4) are 5 minutes away. Hongo-sanchome (Marunouchi Line) and JR Okachimachi are 8 minutes away.
Address: 3-30-1 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo (東京都文京区湯島3-30-1). Google Maps. Phone (festival office): 03-3836-0753. Official page (Japanese).
4. Which one should you choose?
Depends on the place
- To see chrysanthemum beds up close: Shinjuku Gyoen is the one with a full exhibition of beds under shelters, and a fixed entry fee. Plan for daylight, because the last entry is at 16:00.
- To drop in early or for free (if the fee stays the same): Yushima Tenmangu opens at 6:00. Check the official page before you go.
- To go in October: Sensoji on October 18 is the only one of the three before November. Expect a ceremony, and check the times by phone.
In November 2026, the 1st, 8th and 15th are Sundays, and November 3 (Culture Day) and November 23 are public holidays. Shinjuku Gyoen ends on Sunday, November 15, while Yushima Tenmangu continues to Monday, November 23. Shinjuku Gyoen is open every day of its run, so weekdays are possible too. You can visit both in one day by subway between Shinjuku-sanchome and Yushima, with a change of lines.
5. Common questions
Common questions
Do I need a reservation?
No reservation is stated for Sensoji, Shinjuku Gyoen or the Yushima Tenmangu display. Only the free guided walk on November 7 needs an application, by October 17.
Is Shinjuku Gyoen’s exhibition included in the garden ticket?
Yes. The official notice says you pay the normal entry fee, with no separate exhibition ticket.
Where do I check the latest information?
The official pages: Shinjuku Gyoen (English), Bunkyo City (Japanese) and Sensoji (Japanese).
Next steps
- After the chrysanthemums, autumn leaves and night illuminations: Tokyo Autumn Leaves 2026.
- Looking ahead to the New Year: Hatsumode 2027 in Tokyo.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- Shinjuku Gyoen, Ministry of the Environment: Chrysanthemum Exhibition notice (English, October 6, 2026), access (Japanese), Okido Gate restrictions (English)
- Bunkyo City (Japanese): 48th Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival, 47th festival announcement (2025)
- Sensoji (Japanese): Kiku Kuyo-e, notices
Dates, hours and fees can change, so check the official page before you go.
