Hello from Minato & Mirai♪
As we reach the end of November, the autumn foliage in Yokohama is approaching its peak! We visited Sankeien Garden last weekend and found that some trees were already at their best while others were “almost there”, so it looks like this coming weekend will be the perfect timing.
In this article, we’ll share what it was like at Sankeien last weekend, along with our recommended spots for enjoying the autumn colors in the garden♪
The ginkgo trees and maple leaves at Sankeien are looking really beautiful this year!
We took some really nice photos, so we’ll show you what kind of views you can expect along with the pictures♪
Latest Autumn Foliage Report (As of Nov 27, 2025)
Here’s what it looked like when we visited on Monday, Nov 24, along with photos we took on the day♪ We also checked the foliage conditions as of the 27th via the official website and visitor reviews and reflected that information here.
- Ginkgo: At peak! The leaves have turned a deep golden yellow, creating a vivid carpet on the ground, while plenty of leaves are still left on the trees, so it’s truly the best timing.
- Maples: About 60–70% colored. The gradation from red to orange is beautiful!
- Overall: Very little unevenness in color and extremely photogenic conditions.
You can enjoy an ideal mix of colors with red, orange, and yellow all visible at the same time♪
[On weekends and holidays, the same-day ticket line is extremely long!! Get advance tickets and enter smoothly!]
When we visited on Monday, Nov 24 (a national holiday), the line for same-day ticket purchase at the entrance was unbelievably long!
However, if you already have an advance ticket, you can simply go to the right side of the queue, show your ticket directly at the entrance, and walk straight in. No waiting time at all, so we highly recommend it.
The price is the same whether you buy on-site or in advance, and with advance purchase you can often use coupons and earn points, so it’s actually more economical. Definitely take advantage of it♪
(If you’re buying tickets for three or more people, using a Jalan discount coupon is especially recommended.)
Click here for advance tickets ☞
Top 4 Must-See Autumn Foliage Spots
Here are the spots we especially recommend after visiting Sankeien ourselves♪
The official model walking course on the Sankeien website is very easy to follow, so we’ve aligned our list with those course points as well.
The highlights are packed into the first half of the walking route. Pay special attention to points 1–4!
- Main Pond (Oike)
- Rinshunkaku
- Choshukaku
- Rengein
- Shofukaku
- Three-storied Pagoda
- Former Yanohara Family Residence
- Teahouse
We’ll introduce the spots in the same order as the route, so if it’s your first time visiting, you can just follow along and walk in that order!
Main Pond | Enjoy the View of the Pond, Boat & Three-storied Pagoda
Right after you pass through the entrance, you’re greeted by the classic Sankeien view: the main pond and the three-storied pagoda.
There aren’t many trees with foliage immediately beside you here, but across the pond you can see a magnificent cherry tree that has turned a warm orange, with the pagoda rising in the distance. If you include one of the little boats floating on the water in your shot, it adds an extra touch of charm.
From autumn through winter, you’ll also see plenty of ducks! Watching them swim slowly, preen their feathers, or relax on the boats is incredibly soothing.
The downside is that, depending on the direction of the sun, it tends to be backlit during the day. On sunny days it feels wonderful but can be quite dazzling! So if you want to fully enjoy the scenery around the main pond, we recommend visiting as early in the day as possible.
That said, you can also use the backlighting to take soft, gentle-looking photos, so it’s fun even in the middle of the day!
Rinshunkaku and Its Classic Japanese Garden
This is a Japanese garden featuring a historic building originally constructed in the 1600s. You’ll find pampas grass, colored maple leaves, and more — it’s the perfect place to soak in a calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Just next door, at the Sankei Memorial Museum, there’s also a small garden with a pond that you can view from the indoor rest area — the foliage there is beautiful as well!
Though the best seats there seem to be reserved for the ducks!
Choshukaku and the Limited-time Valley Path
Believe it or not, there’s even a small valley inside Sankeien!!
Right next to the elegant tower-style building of Choshukaku, you’ll find a path that takes you up along a small stream.
Along the way, you’ll see pockets of vivid red foliage — perfect for photos that include both the stream and Choshukaku.
On the way back down, there’s a spot where you end up almost at the same eye level as the distant three-storied pagoda, so you can capture both the pagoda and the foliage together in one shot!
The walking path is only open during the fresh green season and the autumn foliage season, so just being able to enter is already something special!
This area was especially crowded! Let’s enjoy the view while taking turns and being considerate of others♪
Rengein | The Old Tenryuji Tomb Hall and a Giant Ginkgo
The most striking ginkgo tree in the entire garden is here!! It stands as if embracing the impressive Old Tenryuji Tomb Hall, its leaves shining in brilliant gold. The fallen leaves completely cover the ground, so both the canopy above and the ground below are filled with color. Many visitors stop here to take photos!
Sankeien Basic Information
- Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
- Admission fee: Adults 900 yen / Elementary & junior high school students 200 yen / Seniors 65+ 700 yen
- Parking: 1,000 yen for the first 2 hours (then 200 yen per 30 minutes)
- Address: 58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama
- Access: By bus from JR Negishi Station or Sakuragicho Station
Summary: Autumn Leaves at Sankeien in 2025 Are “Very Promising”!
Even though it’s in Yokohama, Sankeien is packed with spots where you can fully enjoy the autumn colors. The peak this year coincides with good weather, so expectations are high!
If you’re thinking, “I want to go see some autumn leaves this season,” Sankeien is a fantastic choice.
We hope you’ll encounter some truly beautiful autumn scenery♪ We’ll be taking lots more photos too!
Weekends Are Crowded! Use Advance Tickets to Skip the Line
On weekends and holidays, the ticket booths at the entrance are expected to be very crowded. If you buy your tickets in advance, you can enter smoothly without lining up, which is a big relief. Earning reward points is another nice bonus♪
Bonus Photo Gallery
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