Yokohama’s largest chrysanthemum exhibition returns to Sankeien
240chrysanthemums on display (approx.)No extra charge on top of garden admission · 9:00–16:00
Every autumn, Sankeien Garden (三溪園) in Yokohama turns its central lawn into a showcase of carefully grown chrysanthemums. This year’s Chrysanthemum Exhibition (菊花展) runs from Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 23, 2026 (a public holiday). It has been held since 1964 and is the largest chrysanthemum show in Yokohama, with about 240 plants raised by some of the most skilled growers in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The exhibition itself costs nothing extra, but you do need a garden admission ticket. Below you will find the dates, the talk schedule, the special opening of a historic temple hall, and the easiest way to get there by bus.
Key facts at a glance
| Dates | Sat Oct 31 – Mon Nov 23, 2026 (holiday) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00–16:00 |
| Exhibition fee | Free (garden admission required separately) |
| Venues in the garden | Central Plaza, around the Former Tomyoji Main Hall (旧燈明寺本堂), Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall (旧東慶寺仏殿) |
| Organizer | Sankeien Garden (Sankeien Hoshokai Foundation, 公益財団法人三溪園保勝会) |
| In cooperation with | Yokohama Kikka-kai (横浜菊花会), Kogiku Bonsai Art Association Chōseikai (小菊盆栽芸術協会長生会), Tsutsumi Kurumi (包くるみ) |
| Supported by | Kanagawa Shimbun, tvk |
| Address | 58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0824 |
| Inquiries | 045-621-0635 |
What you will see
The main display is in the Central Plaza. The variety is the draw here: color and shape differ widely from one display to the next.
- Large-flowered chrysanthemums (大菊): blooms 18 cm or more across.
- Edo-giku (江戸菊) and the so-called classic three (古典三菊): traditional varieties that have been handed down in different regions of Japan.
- Miniature landscapes (盆景): scenes of Sankeien and well-known spots in Kanagawa recreated with small-flowered chrysanthemums.
- Small-flowered chrysanthemum bonsai (小菊盆栽).
Around the displays, the garden itself is in autumn mode, with Japanese pampas grass, wild asters and leopard plants (tsuwabuki) along the paths.
Talks and the new special program
Midokoro Talk (見どころトーク)
Expert growers from the Yokohama Kikka-kai, one of the top chrysanthemum groups in Kanagawa, explain how to look after the plants and what to look for when viewing them. Chrysanthemums are known as tricky to grow, so this is a relaxed way to pick up tips. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and takes place in the Central Plaza. No extra fee (garden admission required).
| Date | Start times |
|---|---|
| Sun Nov 1 | 11:15 / 13:45 / 14:45 |
| Tue Nov 3 (holiday) | 11:15 / 13:45 / 14:45 |
| Sun Nov 8 | 11:15 / 13:45 / 14:45 |
| Sat Nov 14 | 11:15 only |
| Sat Nov 21 | 11:15 / 13:45 / 14:45 |
| Sun Nov 22 | 11:15 only |
Kiku no Hanashi Arekore (菊のはなしあれこれ) – first time this year
A new special program that digs deeper into chrysanthemums. It runs on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 22, from 13:45 to 15:00 in the Central Plaza, with no extra fee (garden admission required). It is built around three themes:
- Edo-giku: enjoying a beloved style of chrysanthemum cultivation
- How to tell classic varieties from large-flowered ones
- A live arrangement demonstration by a flower designer
Participants can enter a draw to win a chrysanthemum seedling.
Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall and flower arrangements
From Sunday, November 8 to Monday, November 23 (holiday), the Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall, an Important Cultural Property, is specially opened from 10:00 to 15:00. Inside, flower designer Michiko Igarashi decorates the hall with bold arrangements centered on chrysanthemums. She founded the made-to-order florist Tsutsumi kurumi in 2008 and specializes in arranging flowers on site. No extra fee (garden admission required).
Admission, hours and access
| Adults | ¥900 |
|---|---|
| Elementary and junior high school students | ¥200 |
| Yokohama residents aged 65+ | ¥700 (photo ID required) |
| Garden hours | 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Hours may change on event days. |
Getting there by bus
- From JR Negishi Station (Negishi Line): city bus for about 10 minutes, get off at Honmoku, then walk about 10 minutes.
- From Yokohama Station (East Exit): city bus for about 40 minutes, get off at Sankeien Iriguchi, then walk about 5 minutes.
Payment methods at the ticket counter are not listed in the announcement, so check the official Sankeien website before you go. If you are still sorting out cashless payments in Japan, our guide to credit cards you can get as a foreign resident is a good starting point.
Tips for planning your visit
- See everything in one day: on Nov 14 (Sat) and Nov 22 (Sun) you can catch the 11:15 Midokoro Talk, visit the Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall (open 10:00–15:00), and join the special program from 13:45.
- Mind the closing times: the exhibition closes at 16:00 while the garden accepts visitors until 16:30, so arriving late leaves you little time with the flowers.
- Allow time for the bus: the ride from Yokohama Station alone takes about 40 minutes.
- Keep your phone charged: it is a big garden and you will likely take lots of photos. Our d VALUE PASS guide explains how to rent ChargeSPOT power banks for free.
- Planning more outings: other autumn events include the Musashino Art University Festival, and the Asoview campaign can cut the cost of leisure tickets elsewhere.
About Sankeien Garden
Sankeien was created by Hara Sankei, a businessman who made his fortune in the raw silk trade, and opened to the public on May 1, 1906. The garden covers about 17.5 hectares, roughly 3.7 times the size of Tokyo Dome. Historic buildings brought from Kyoto, Kamakura and elsewhere, many saved from neglect after the anti-Buddhist movement of the Meiji era, are placed among ponds and hills.
The garden was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 2007. Of its 17 historic buildings, 10 are Important Cultural Properties and 3 are Tangible Cultural Properties designated by Yokohama City. Today it is run by the Sankeien Hoshokai Foundation.
FAQ
- Is the Sankeien chrysanthemum exhibition free?
- There is no separate charge for the exhibition, the talks or the hall opening, but you need a garden admission ticket: ¥900 for adults, ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥700 for Yokohama residents aged 65 and over with photo ID.
- What are the dates and hours?
- The exhibition runs from October 31 to November 23, 2026, from 9:00 to 16:00. The garden is open from 9:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30, though hours may change on event days.
- Which day is best if I want to see everything?
- November 14 and November 22. On those days you can join the 11:15 Midokoro Talk, visit the Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall between 10:00 and 15:00, and attend the special program from 13:45.
- How do I get to Sankeien Garden?
- Take a city bus from JR Negishi Station for about 10 minutes to Honmoku and walk about 10 minutes, or take a city bus from the East Exit of Yokohama Station for about 40 minutes to Sankeien Iriguchi and walk about 5 minutes.
- When can I see the Former Tokeiji Buddha Hall?
- It is specially opened from November 8 to November 23, 10:00 to 15:00, decorated with chrysanthemum arrangements by flower designer Michiko Igarashi.
Official information: Sankeien Garden website · Press release (Japanese) · Instagram · X. Schedules may change, so please check the official site before visiting.