Looking for a quieter side of Yokohama? Sankeien Garden is a historic Japanese garden in Honmoku, Yokohama, known for its ponds, seasonal flowers, strolling paths, and traditional buildings moved here from Kyoto, Wakayama, and other parts of Japan. Allow 2–3 hours for a relaxed visit. Below you'll find tickets, hours, bus directions, the main sights, a walking route, and the best seasons.
What We See on Our Tours
We run private chauffeur tours around Yokohama every day, and Sankeien is a stop many of our guests ask about. Many of them are families traveling with kids. A few things we've noticed on the ground:
- Arriving at opening makes the biggest difference. Guests who reach the gate around 9:15 AM get the Great Pond and the pagoda viewpoint with far fewer people, and the light is softer for photos.
- Most guests spend longer than they planned. Our guests typically spend about 2.5 hours here, and the Inner Garden is where people tend to slow down.
- The bus is the part that surprises people. One family we met had planned a quick visit, but the bus ride from Yokohama Station took about 40 minutes, then they still had to walk five minutes from the stop.
These notes come from our own tours, so your visit may differ with the season and the day.
Sankeien Garden at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Honmoku, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa |
| Garden area | Approximately 175,000 m² |
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Last admission | 4:30 PM |
| Closed | December 26–31 every year |
| Adults (high school students and older) | ¥900 |
| Children (elementary and junior high school students) | ¥200 |
| Suggested visit | 2–3 hours (the garden's own guidance is about 2 hours) |
| Main areas | Outer Garden and Inner Garden |
| Nearest station | Negishi Station (JR), about a 30-minute walk or 10 minutes by bus or taxi |
Why Visit Sankeien Garden?
Sankeien was created by Hara Tomitarō, a wealthy silk merchant and art collector better known by his art name, Hara Sankei (原三溪). He began building the garden in 1902 and opened the Outer Garden to the public in 1906. The Inner Garden, the Hara family's private space, opened to visitors much later. In 2007 the garden was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
What sets it apart is the mix of landscape and architecture. Hara collected old buildings from across Japan and rebuilt them around the ponds and hills, so you walk from a tea arbor to a temple pagoda to a Tokugawa villa within a single stroll. After Yokohama's modern waterfront, the pace here feels noticeably slower.
It suits visitors who enjoy Japanese garden design, historic architecture, photography, or a calm half-day away from the busier parts of the city.
Main Sights at Sankeien Garden
Three-Storied Pagoda
The pagoda is Sankeien's best-known landmark and can be seen from several points as you walk. It was built in 1457 at Tōmyō-ji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture and later moved here. It is often described as the oldest wooden pagoda in the Kantō region. On our tours, guests usually spend the longest here, and the photo spot most of them pick is down by the pond, shooting a wide diagonal view up toward the pagoda.
Rinshunkaku
Rinshunkaku, in the Inner Garden, was built in 1649 as a villa associated with the Kishu Tokugawa family and was moved here from Wakayama. It is an Important Cultural Property and one of the highlights of the whole garden. Take time to walk around it and see how the building, veranda, and garden views are arranged together.
Kakushokaku
Kakushokaku was Hara Sankei's residence, built in 1902. Artists such as Yokoyama Taikan and Maeda Seison are associated with it. The interior is normally closed. The garden opens it to visitors only around New Year and the Obon period, so don't plan on going inside at other times.
Sankeien Memorial Hall
The Memorial Hall explains the story of Hara Sankei and the garden, with art and materials from the site's history. Exhibitions change, so what you see will vary. If you mainly want scenery, keep this stop short. If you enjoy Japanese art, give it more time.
Tea Houses and Other Historic Buildings
Other buildings worth looking for include Shunsōrō, a tea arbor moved from Kyoto, Rindō-an, Renka-in, Gekkaden, Tenju-in, and Chōshūkaku. Most of the historic buildings can only be viewed from outside, so treat them as part of the scenery. Opening an interior is the exception and usually tied to a special event.
Traditional wooden architecture framed by spring blossoms at Sankeien Garden, Yokohama.
Outer Garden and Inner Garden
The Outer Garden is the open, pond-centered area near the main gate, where most visitors start. The Inner Garden, once the Hara family's private residence, is quieter and more architectural. See both if you can.
One rule to know: eating, drinking, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not allowed in the Inner Garden or the Former Yanohara House.
Suggested Walking Route
A simple one-direction route works well for a first visit:
Main Gate → Memorial Hall area → Great Pond → Three-Storied Pagoda → Inner Garden → Rinshunkaku → exit
Follow the signs and the garden map you receive at the entrance, since paths branch in several places.
- If you have about 90 minutes: Great Pond, the pagoda, the Inner Garden, and Rinshunkaku. Skim the Memorial Hall.
- If you have 2–3 hours: Add the Memorial Hall, side paths, tea shops, and unhurried photo stops.
A free English guided tour (volunteer-led, about 60 minutes) runs once a day at 1:30 PM, with room for about 20 people. Meet at the map sign near the main gate. It's not offered December 26–January 3, and volunteer services can be paused for weather, so ask at the entrance. Admission is separate.
Sankeien Garden Opening Hours and Closing Days
Sankeien is open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. It closes December 26–31 every year. On select dates, the garden opens early (for lotus viewing) or late (for cherry blossom, autumn foliage, and moon-viewing evenings). Dates are posted on the events page.
Sankeien Garden Ticket Prices (2026)
- Adults (high school students and older): ¥900
- Children (elementary and junior high school students): ¥200
- Yokohama residents aged 65 or older: ¥700 (ID showing address and date of birth required)
- Groups of 10 or more: ¥800 per adult, ¥100 per child, ¥600 per Yokohama resident aged 65 or older (ID required). Student groups (high school and older) led by teachers pay ¥400.
- Discount coupons: Visitors with a Sankeien discount coupon (handed out at some Yokohama hotels) or a JAF card get the ¥800 / ¥100 rate. Discounts can't be combined.
- Annual pass: adults ¥2,500, children ¥700, Yokohama residents 65+ ¥2,000 (cash only; sold at the main and south gates)
- Visitors with a disability certificate: free for the holder and one companion
Skip the ticket line by buying online beforehand through the garden's partners (Asoview, KKday, Jalan, or Rakuten Travel), listed on the official admission page. On our private tours, the driver buys the tickets for the group, so guests don't have to stand in the ticket line themselves.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, UnionPay) and transit IC cards such as Suica are accepted for admission and at the tea shops Taishunken and Sankeien Saryo. Parking and annual passes are cash only.
How to Get to Sankeien Garden
Sankeien has no train station at its door, so most visitors take a train and then a bus. The bus stop to look for is Sankeien-Iriguchi, followed by a 5-minute, 300 m walk to the gate.
From Yokohama Station
Take Bus No. 8 or No. 168 from Stop 2 at the East Exit bus terminal (Sogo side) to Sankeien-Iriguchi. The ride takes about 40 minutes, then it's a 5-minute walk. On weekends and public holidays, the Burari-Sankeien bus also runs (about 36 minutes) and stops at "Sankeien", closer to the garden.
From Sakuragichō Station
Take Bus No. 8 to Sankeien-Iriguchi, about 28 minutes, then walk 5 minutes. The weekend and holiday Burari-Sankeien bus takes about 26 minutes.
From Motomachi-Chūkagai Station
Take Bus No. 8 or No. 168 from the Yamashita-chō stop near Exit 4 to Sankeien-Iriguchi, about 15 minutes, then walk 5 minutes. The same buses also stop at Chūkagai-iriguchi near Chinatown (15–20 minutes), which makes Chinatown an easy pairing.
From Negishi Station
Negishi (JR Keihin-Tōhoku/Negishi Line) is the closest station. You can walk in about 30 minutes, take a taxi in about 10 minutes, or take Bus No. 58 or No. 101 from Stop 1 at the station bus terminal toward Honmoku. Get off at Honmoku, about 10 minutes, then walk roughly 10 minutes (600 m) to the garden.
By Car
Sankeien has a parking lot beside the main gate (¥1,000 for the first 2 hours, then ¥200 per 30 minutes, cash only). It can fill up during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, so public transport is usually easier. Don't use "Sankeien IC" from central Yokohama or Tokyo; the garden recommends Honmoku Futo IC or Shin-Yamashita IC.
Tip: The garden closes at 5:00 PM, and the buses back to the station are less frequent than city trains. Check the return bus time before you set off, especially in winter when it gets dark early. Current timetables are on the Yokohama City Bus website.
Can You Visit Sankeien Garden From Tokyo?
Yes. Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station takes about 25–30 minutes by JR, then you add the bus ride. That makes the garden a good half-day inside a longer Yokohama day trip, but not a quick stop.
A practical sequence:
Tokyo → Sankeien Garden → Yokohama Chinatown → Yamashita Park → Minato Mirai → Tokyo
Go to the garden first while it's open, then take the bus toward Chinatown for lunch or an early dinner, walk along Yamashita Park, and finish in Minato Mirai for shopping and evening views. Adding Kamakura to the same day usually makes it feel rushed, since each place can fill a day.
If you're traveling with family, older relatives, or a small group, a private vehicle removes the bus transfers and lets you set your own timing. Our private Kamakura and Yokohama full-day tour is one example, and our Kamakura–Yokohama day trip guide shows how the stops fit together. On our private tours, the car drops guests at the main gate and waits, so there's no bus transfer and no checking return times. From there the group can go straight on to Chinatown. By car, that usually takes about 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Where to Eat at Sankeien Garden
There are tea shops inside the garden. The two main ones are Sankeien Saryo, beside the Great Pond, which is known for freshly grilled dango and also serves light meals and sweets, and Taishunken. Opening times and days off vary by shop and can change, so check the official food and tea shop page.
You can eat your own food in the Outer Garden if you take your trash with you. Picnic sheets, tents, tables, and chairs are not allowed.
Best Time to Visit Sankeien Garden
Bloom times shift a little each year, so treat these as typical windows.
| Season | What to see | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter | Plum blossoms | Mid-February to early March |
| Spring | Cherry blossoms; evening illumination on select dates | Late March to early April |
| Summer | Lotus flowers; early-morning openings on select dates | July to August |
| Autumn | Red and gold foliage; evening illumination on select dates | Late November to early December |
| Winter | Quiet paths, bare trees, clear architecture views | December to February |
Spring is the most popular season and the busiest. Summer brings lotus and heat, so arrive early and carry water. Autumn is a good choice for photos that combine maples with old buildings. Winter is the quietest, and plum blossoms arrive in February.
From our tours: the season our guests request most is cherry blossom. The last week of March is the window we usually aim for, though bloom timing shifts with the weather each year.
Photography Tips
- Frame the pagoda with trees or the pond instead of shooting it alone.
- Look for pond reflections when the water is calm.
- Use paths and building edges to add depth.
- Tripods are fine in the Outer Garden only.
- Personal photography is free. Commercial shoots, wedding outfits, cosplay, and drones are not allowed without permission.
Families and Accessibility
Sankeien works well for families who enjoy ponds, bridges, and flowers, but expect a lot of walking. Some paths are uneven, gravelly, or sloped, so wear comfortable shoes.
Wheelchairs can be borrowed free at the main gate (4 available) and south gate (1), one per group, with no reservations. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are at four spots: the main gate parking area, the south gate, the central plaza, and the Memorial Hall. Baby-changing beds are in those restrooms, but there's no nursing room, and strollers cannot be rented. Free coin lockers (¥100 deposit, returned) are near the main gate. Pets are not allowed, except service dogs.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water, especially in summer
- A hat and sun protection in summer, rain gear when the forecast calls for it
- A charged phone or camera, plus a portable battery
- A Suica/IC card for the bus, and some cash for parking or small purchases
Plan Your Visit
Sankeien Garden is a strong choice if you want historic Japanese architecture and garden scenery without Tokyo-style crowds. It's best for visitors with at least two hours who enjoy walking. If you only have an hour, or you're mostly after nightlife and shopping, Minato Mirai and Chinatown will suit you better.
Before you leave, check the official site for current hours, event dates, and any building openings.