Route: Shinjuku Gyoen Park
Route Description: Shinjuku Gyoen
As one of Tokyo’s premier photography locations, Shinjuku Gyoen offers an incredible variety of backdrops within a single park.
From the meticulously manicured Japanese Traditional Gardens - complete with tea houses, reflection ponds, and stone bridges to the expansive French and English landscapes, there is a setting for every aesthetic and this park provides a serene escape from the city’s hustle.
A Cherry Blossom Paradise: Unlike many parks that feature only one type of tree, Shinjuku Gyoen boasts a vast variety of cherry blossom species. This diverse collection ensures a much longer blooming window, with different flowers peaking from February all the way through April.
📸 Logistics for Our Shoot at Shinjuku Gyoen
The park is typically closed on Mondays. However, if Monday is a public holiday, it will close on the following Tuesday instead. During the peak cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons, the park remains open every day and has different opening hours.
* Please note there is an entrance fee.
Adults 500 yen Students (High School/College) 250 yen (ID required) Seniors (65+) 250 yen (ID required)
Children (15 and under) FREE
During cherry blossom season, the park can get VERY busy. Weekend visits often require advance reservations, and wait times may be long.
The garden is closed on Mondays.
Meeting Location: At the OOKIDO GATE entrance to Shinjuku Gyoen.
Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dow7kYS6Rz1XwPM49
Please note: The park has three different entry gates, so be sure that you arrive at the correct one. Shinjuku Gate is the busiest gate so I don’t use this gate unless I really have to. Sendagaya Gate is a hidden gem, but it's such a pain to find. Even taxi drivers struggle to locate it, so I really only bother using it during peak season to skip the lines.
To make things easy when you arrive, here are a few tips
Skip the Line: You can tap your Suica or Pasmo at the gate to pay the 500 yen entry fee directly. No need to wait at the ticket machines!
Meeting Point: I’ll be waiting just inside the entrance on the left side, right by the restrooms and vending machines.
Trash & Coffee: There are trash cans near restrooms. Please make sure to dispose of any empty coffee cups or litter before we start so we have a clean setup for the shoot.
Lockers: If you have extra bags, there are lockers available right after the entrance:
Small: 300 yen (3 x 100 yen coins) — Usually enough for standard bags.
Large: 500 yen (1 x 500 yen coin).
Note: If you need change, the staff at the entrance can break your bills for you.
✨ A Quick Reminder for weekends in March and April: Since we are in the high season, the park will be busy. If you haven't already, double-check if your entry time requires a pre-booked QR code reservation, as Shinjuku Gyoen often implements this during the blossom weeks to manage crowds.
PROPOSALS :I’ve organized it so you can follow it like a step-by-step guide.
