Hyakurakuso, a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) in Nara, will hold "Hyakurakuso Autumn Garden Opening" (百楽荘 秋の庭園開放), a public event timed to the autumn foliage season, on Wednesday, November 11 and Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Sukiya-style Japanese architecture with a history of about 90 years blends with autumn colors in the garden, which visitors can stroll through freely over the two days. Set on a hill in Tomio on the western outskirts of Nara, Hyakurakuso has a garden of about 10,000 tsubo dotted with 10 distinctive sukiya-style detached buildings.
On the event days, about 80 lanterns line the sloping path leading up to Chojumon (長寿門), the entrance gate of Hyakurakuso. Along the way, visitors can enjoy autumn scenery such as trees that are just beginning to change color.
A talk show and meal event in collaboration with Gakuenmae Art Festa (学園前アートフェスタ) is also scheduled for Tuesday, November 10.
Autumn Garden Opening
Free Garden Admission
The roughly 90-year-old garden of Hyakurakuso is open to everyone free of charge during the event. Visitors can stroll through the quiet grounds wrapped in autumn leaves and admire the exterior and atmosphere of the buildings.
- Dates and times:
- Wednesday, November 11: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission)
- Sunday, November 15: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (last admission)
- Location: Inside the Hyakurakuso garden, 3-1-3 Hyakurakuen, Nara City
Welcome Gifts and Lantern Display
All visitors will receive a "Hyakurakuso preferential coupon" (百楽荘ご優待券). Children of elementary school age and younger will also receive sweets.
About 80 lanterns set along the entrance slope create an autumn scene where the foliage and Japanese architecture harmonize.
Autumn Colors Gozen
On both days, a special gozen (a traditional set meal served on a tray), prepared by Hyakurakuso's chefs just for the occasion, is served in the Grand Hall (大広間) of Hyakurakuso. Diners can enjoy the meal while taking in a leisurely view of the autumn garden.
The meal is sold in advance only. It is not sold at the venue, so a meal voucher must be purchased beforehand.
- Name: Autumn Colors Gozen (秋の彩り御膳)
- Price: ¥6,600 (tax included)
- Serving times and quantities:
- Wednesday, November 11: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 40 meals
- Wednesday, November 11: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 40 meals
- Sunday, November 15: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 40 meals
- Quantity: 120 meals in total (40 per serving time). Sales for each serving time end once its quantity is reached.
- Sales period: From 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 1
- Where to buy: The online shop Irodori Mall (いろどりモール) at https://www.irodorimall-kintetsu.jp/
- How to receive: After purchase, Hyakurakuso will send the meal voucher. Bring it with you on the day. Vouchers will be sent in order starting Monday, November 2.
Please note the following.
- Meals are not sold on the day of the garden opening. Those without a meal voucher cannot use the service.
- Meals are served in the Grand Hall. Takeout and eating elsewhere, including in the garden, are not allowed.
Autumn Colors Gozen sales page
Collaboration with Gakuenmae Art Festa on November 10
Hyakurakuso, known for its modern early Showa-period architecture and atmospheric setting, will team up with Gakuenmae Art Festa in Nara for a special event. Contemporary artist Kenji Yanobe will give a talk show, and guests will dine with a menu newly illustrated by Yanobe, which came about at his own suggestion. The event brings together contemporary art and food culture, letting guests enjoy artworks and the fine cuisine of a ryotei at the same time.
- Name: Contemporary Artist Kenji Yanobe Talk Show Included: Autumn Colors Gozen (現代アーティスト ヤノベケンジ氏トークショー付 秋の彩り御膳)
- Price: ¥6,600 (tax included)
- Date and schedule: Tuesday, November 10
- 11:00 AM: Reception
- 12:00 PM: Artist talk show
- 12:30 PM: Meal
- 2:00 PM: Event ends
- Quantity: 40 meals. Sales end once the quantity is reached.
- Sales period: From 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 1
- Where to buy: The online shop Irodori Mall at https://www.irodorimall-kintetsu.jp/
- How to receive: After purchase, Hyakurakuso will send the meal voucher. Bring it with you on the day. Vouchers will be sent in order starting Monday, November 2.
Please note the following.
- This event is limited to those who have purchased a meal voucher in advance.
- The garden is not open to the general public on this day.
Talk show and Autumn Colors Gozen sales page
Notes for Visitors (Both Events)
- Please use public transportation. Access by car, motorcycle, or bicycle is not allowed.
- Entry may be restricted when it is crowded.
- Please inquire in advance about entering with a wheelchair or stroller.
- Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs.
- The venue is smoke-free.
- Events are scheduled to take place in rain as well. However, the content of the Autumn Garden Opening may change or the event may be canceled depending on the weather.
- Bringing in food or drinks and using leisure sheets and similar items are strictly prohibited.
- Visitors who do not follow staff instructions may be asked to leave.
About Gakuenmae Art Festa
Gakuenmae Art Festa is an art project held in the Gakuenmae area of Nara, using local cultural facilities and vacant houses as venues. It started in 2015 as a resident-led initiative, a rare approach in Japan in which local residents handle everything from publicity to operation.
This year's theme is "Nokosareta Toki no Katachi" (のこされた ときのかたち). Seeing Gakuenmae, a town developed as a planned residential city, as an "intersection of time and memory," the festival uses art to reexamine the past and future of the city and the relationships between people.
For details, see the official website: https://www.gakuenmae-af.com/
About Kenji Yanobe
Kenji Yanobe was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1965 and is a contemporary artist. He made his debut in 1990 with the meditation device Tanking Machine (タンキング・マシーン) and has created mechanical sculptures on the theme of "survival in contemporary society."
From 1997, he carried out the Atom Suit Project (アトムスーツ・プロジェクト), visiting places such as Chernobyl (Chornobyl) in a radiation-detecting suit, the Atom Suit (アトムスーツ), until 2003. In 2011, he created the monument of hope Sun Child (サン・チャイルド), and one of the three works is permanently installed in Ibaraki City, Osaka. In 2017, he began the SHIP'S CAT series, guardian deities of travel that bring good fortune, and in 2021, SHIP'S CAT (Muse) was permanently installed at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (大阪中之島美術館).
