The hot new trend of holiday illuminations in Tokyo has spread to the gardens and parks, with more and more lighting up their naturally spectacular autumn leaves and opening for special evening viewing! Here are my current favorites:
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SHOWA KINEN PARK near Tachikawa Station
There are two areas lit up at night:
1: The grand ginkgo alley
They even do a dramatic light show!
They do this every :00 (and possibly more often – I saw this at 6:00, but there was no schedule posted of other times they do this. I’m suspecting it’s every :15)
2: The Japanese garden & pond
Evening light-up dates: November 2 – 24 and November 29 – December 1 (2019)
Hours: 17:00 – 21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Admission: ¥610 (regular admission ticket plus ¥160 evening hours addition*)
*You can enter at any time during the day with a regular ticket, but if you didn’t buy the inclusive ¥610 ticket when you arrived, you’ll have to pay the extra ¥160 before entering any of the lit-up areas after 4:30. If you bought the ¥610 inclusive ticket, you’ll be asked to show it at the entrance of the lit-up areas.
Transportation note: The only gate open after 17:00 is the Nishi-tachikawa Gate, near Nishi-tachikawa Station. Even if you came in during the day by the Tachikawa Gate, you have to leave by the other one. They also strictly control the route in the park after dark, roping off all but the approved walkways, and stationing park personnel at every turn, so abandon any ideas you might have about taking shortcuts!
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RIKUGI-EN GARDEN near Komagome Station
Evening light-up dates: November 20 – December 12 (2019)
Hours: 17:00 – 21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Admission: ¥300
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MEJIRO GARDEN near Mejiro Station
Night light-up dates: November 23 – December 1 (2019)
Hours: 17:30 – 21:00
Admission: Free
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KAWAGUCHI-KO near Mt. Fuji
Night light-up dates: November 1 – November 23 (2019)
Hours: 17:30 – 22:00
Admission: Free
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
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“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Thanks, Jonelle! I still have the folder you presented to me before our visit in in the eighties. I doubt I’ll get to Japan again. It’s a big project to get to West Coast US! You can come and visit me anytime! >
I love coming to visit you, Phoebe, and I’m so glad that you have such good memories of Japan. Hope to see you the next time you’re on the mainland too!