Sankeien Garden, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Yokohama's Naka Ward, will hold its Chrysanthemum Exhibition (菊花展, Kikkaten) from Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday), 2026. Running since 1964, it is the largest chrysanthemum exhibition in Yokohama, featuring about 240 chrysanthemums, including large blooms and Edo chrysanthemums, grown by some of the top enthusiasts in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Alongside the flower displays, the exhibition includes a special program on the history and cultivation of chrysanthemums, expert talks on what to look for, and a flower arrangement display at the Important Cultural Property "Former Tokeiji Butsuden" (旧東慶寺仏殿), which will be opened to the public for a limited period. Visitors can enjoy the chrysanthemums against the Japanese garden's autumn scenery, with pampas grass, wild chrysanthemums (nogiku), and leopard plants (tsuwabuki) in the surroundings.
Chrysanthemum Exhibition Overview
In the Central Plaza, visitors can see chrysanthemums in a wide range of colors and shapes, including large blooms more than 18 cm in diameter, Edo chrysanthemums, and the three classical chrysanthemum types (古典三菊) that have been passed down in different regions since long ago. Bonkei (miniature landscapes) and small-flowered chrysanthemum bonsai depicting Sankeien Garden and well-known sights in Kanagawa will also be on display.
Dates: Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday), 2026
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Fee: Free (garden admission fee charged separately)
Venues: Central Plaza, near the Former Tomyoji Main Hall (旧燈明寺本堂), and the Former Tokeiji Butsuden (旧東慶寺仏殿)
Cooperation: Yokohama Kikkakai (横浜菊花会), Kogiku Bonsai Geijutsu Kyokai Chōseikai (小菊盆栽芸術協会長生会), 包kurumi
Support: Kanagawa Shimbun, tvk
First-Time Special Program: "Kiku no Hanashi Arekore" (Chrysanthemum Talks)
This new program takes a closer look at chrysanthemums through three themes: "My Favorite! Appreciating the 'Art' of Edo Chrysanthemums," "How to Tell Chrysanthemum Varieties Apart, From Classical Chrysanthemums to Large Blooms," and "Flower Designer Arrangement Demonstration."
Dates: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 22
Time: 1:45 PM to 3:00 PM
Fee: Free (garden admission fee charged separately)
Venue: Central Plaza
Participants will have a chance to win a chrysanthemum seedling by lottery.
"Highlights Talk" by Chrysanthemum Experts
Experts from Yokohama Kikkakai, known for some of the highest cultivation skills in Kanagawa Prefecture, will share tips for caring for chrysanthemums and points to look for when viewing them. Chrysanthemums are said to be difficult to grow, and the talks offer a relaxed chance to learn about them.
Dates: Sunday, November 1; Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday); Sunday, November 8; Saturday, November 14; Saturday, November 21; Sunday, November 22
Times: 11:15 AM / 1:45 PM / 2:45 PM (about 20 minutes each). On Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 22, only the 11:15 AM session is held.
Fee: Free (garden admission fee charged separately)
Venue: Central Plaza
Autumn Opening of Historic Architecture and Chrysanthemum Arrangements
Flower designer Igarashi Michiko (五十嵐道子) will decorate the Important Cultural Property "Former Tokeiji Butsuden" with ikomi (生け込み) arrangements while the building is open to the public for a special viewing. The historic building will be dressed in powerful arrangements centered on chrysanthemums.
Dates: Sunday, November 8 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Fee: Free (garden admission fee charged separately)
Venue: Former Tokeiji Butsuden (旧東慶寺仏殿)
Cooperation: Igarashi Michiko (五十嵐道子). She founded the made-to-order florist 包kurumi in 2008 and mainly creates flower arrangements on site, focusing on ikomi, where flowers are arranged directly at the venue.
Sankeien Garden
58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0824
Garden admission: Adults ¥900; elementary and junior high school students ¥200; Yokohama residents aged 65 and over ¥700 (ID required)
Garden hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Hours may change depending on events.
Access: 10 minutes by city bus from JR Negishi Line Negishi Station to the "Honmoku" stop, then a 10-minute walk; or 40 minutes by city bus from the east exit of Yokohama Station to the "Sankeien-iriguchi" stop, then a 5-minute walk
Official website: https://www.sankeien.or.jp
