Looking for a place to see autumn colors in Tokyo without heading deep into the mountains? Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori (町田薬師池公園四季彩の杜) in Machida is holding its Yakushiike Autumn Leaves Festival (薬師池 紅葉まつり) from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 29, 2026. The second half is the highlight: from November 14 the park stays open until 20:00 for an evening light-up, and a mist effect turns the pond into a sea of clouds every hour.
Below you will find the hours for each period, the cloud sea schedule, the free guided tour dates, and a few tips for getting there.
Festival at a glance
| Event | Yakushiike Autumn Leaves Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sat, Oct 31 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 |
| Venue | Yakushiike pond, Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori 3270 Notsuda-machi, Machida, Tokyo |
| Regular hours | Oct 31 – Nov 13: 6:00–18:00 |
| Light-up hours | Nov 14 – Nov 29: 6:00–20:00 |
| Cloud sea | Nov 14 – Nov 29, every hour from 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Guided tours | Nov 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 at 13:30 and 15:30 (about 1 hour, free) |
| Admission | Not stated in the press release. Check the official event page. |
| Organizer | NEST Machida joint venture (designated manager of the Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori group) |
| In cooperation with | Machida City Tourism and Convention Association |
| Light-up supervision | Color Kinetics Japan |
| Inquiries | Yakushiike Park Management Office: 042-860-5117 (Japanese) |
Daytime or evening: which half to pick
The festival runs in two halves. The first two weeks are a plain daytime walk among the red, orange and yellow trees. From November 14 the park adds evening hours and the light-up, so the same pond changes character as the sky gets dark.
| Period | Park hours | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31 – Nov 13 | 6:00–18:00 | Daytime strolls among the autumn leaves |
| Nov 14 – Nov 29 | 6:00–20:00 | Daytime leaves, hourly cloud sea and the evening light-up |
If you can only go once, the second half lets you see all three looks in a single visit: leaves in daylight, leaves in mist, and leaves under the lights. Arriving in the late afternoon and staying until the lights come on is an easy way to do that.
The Yakushi Unkai cloud sea
The Yakushi Unkai (薬師雲海) is a mist effect that spreads a layer of cloud across the pond. It runs from November 14 to November 29, once every hour between 10:00 and 19:00. The early rounds give you leaves floating in fog in daylight, while the later rounds mix the mist with the light-up.
Since it only happens on the hour, plan your walk so you are near the pond a few minutes before. Taking photos after dark drains a phone battery fast; if you often run low on the go, our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS may help.
Free guided tours
On five days in late November, staff lead a walk around the park and point out its highlights. Each tour takes about one hour and costs nothing.
| Date | Start times | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 21 | 13:30 / 15:30 | Free |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 13:30 / 15:30 | Free |
| Mon, Nov 23 (public holiday) | 13:30 / 15:30 | Free |
| Sat, Nov 28 | 13:30 / 15:30 | Free |
| Sun, Nov 29 | 13:30 / 15:30 | Free |
The press release does not say whether you need to book or which language the tours are in. Check the official event page or ask the management office if that matters to you.
Food trucks, yoga and a market
Food trucks, a yoga event and a market are also planned during the festival. The days and details have not been announced in the press release, so keep an eye on the official event page and Instagram.
Getting there and practical tips
- Parking fills up. The organizer expects the north parking lot of Yakushiike Park to be crowded during the autumn leaves season and recommends public transport.
- Routes and buses. The press release does not list access routes. Check the official event page for the nearest stations and buses.
- Watch the closing time. Until November 13 the park closes at 18:00. The 20:00 closing only applies from November 14.
- Weather. Programs may change or stop in bad weather, so check before you go.
Want more free or cheap outings around Tokyo this season? See our guides to the Musashino Art University Festival, the Shibaura Canal Festival with its free canal cruise and where to watch the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks. For paid attractions, the Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign takes up to ¥3,000 off tickets.
FAQ
- Q. When is the Yakushiike Autumn Leaves Festival held?
- From Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 29, 2026, at Yakushiike pond inside Machida Yakushiike Park Shikisai no Mori in Machida, Tokyo.
- Q. When does the evening light-up start?
- The light-up runs from November 14 to November 29, 2026. During this period the park stays open until 20:00 instead of 18:00.
- Q. What is the Yakushi Unkai cloud sea?
- It is a mist effect that creates a sea of clouds over the pond. It runs every hour from 10:00 to 19:00 between November 14 and November 29, 2026.
- Q. Do the guided tours cost anything?
- No. The tours are free. They run on November 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, starting at 13:30 and 15:30, and take about one hour.
- Q. Is there an admission fee?
- The press release does not mention an admission fee. Please check the official event page before you go.
- Q. Can I drive there?
- The organizer expects the north parking lot of Yakushiike Park to be crowded during the autumn leaves season and recommends public transport.