Korakuen Autumn Genso Teien 2026: Japan’s Great Garden After Dark
For ten nights in late November, Korakuen stays open after dark and the maple grove called Chishio no Mori is lit from within.
Overview
Korakuen in Okayama is counted among the three great gardens of Japan, alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kairakuen in Mito. It was laid out by the Okayama domain in 1700 as a strolling garden, with broad lawns, ponds and rice paddies framed by borrowed scenery.
The Genso Teien – roughly, “fantasy garden” – is the garden’s night-opening event, held in summer and again in autumn. The autumn edition is timed to peak foliage and paired with Ujo Togenkyo, a matching light-up of Okayama Castle on the opposite bank of the Asahi River.
When and where
The 2026 autumn edition runs from Friday 20 November to Sunday 29 November. Evening opening is separate from daytime hours, and music events are staged inside the garden on some nights.
Nearest stop: Shiroshita tram stop, about ten minutes on foot; the garden is a 25-minute walk from JR Okayama Station.
Getting there
Okayama is on the Sanyo Shinkansen, about 45 minutes from Shin-Osaka and 3 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo. From the station, take the Okaden tram towards Higashiyama and get off at Shiroshita, then walk across to the garden. Buses also run to Korakuen-mae.
Okayama is the natural base for Kurashiki and for crossing to Shikoku, so the garden fits easily into a wider itinerary.
What to expect
The night version of the garden is quieter and more theatrical than the daytime one.
- The Chishio no Mori maple grove lit as the centrepiece
- Okayama Castle illuminated across the river as Ujo Togenkyo, on the same dates
- Evening music performances inside the garden
- Enyo-tei, the domain lord’s residence, floodlit above the pond
- Daytime admission includes the garden’s cranes, which are kept on site
Tickets and admission
Paid. The night opening has its own admission charge, separate from the daytime ticket, and a combined ticket with Okayama Castle is usually available. Check the official site for current prices before you go.
Tips for visitors
Arrive shortly before sunset to see the garden in daylight and then watch it change – the transition is the best part. Paths are gravel and unlit in places, so wear proper shoes and bring a small torch if you are unsteady. Late November evenings in Okayama are cold once the sun goes down, colder than the daytime temperature suggests.
Access and map
| Dates | 20-29 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Okayama Korakuen, Okayama City |
| Access | Okaden tram to Shiroshita, 10 min on foot |
| Admission | Paid; separate night-opening ticket |
| Official site | Okayama Kanko WEB |
Source: Okayama Kanko WEB (Okayama Prefecture official tourism)
Image: Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
