Chion-in Yuzen-en and Hojo Garden
This season's opening
Autumn illumination
- Hours
- 17:30–21:30 (last entry 21:00)
- Admission
- ¥800 adults, ¥400 children
- Booking
- No booking
Yuzen-en, the Sanmon gate, the Otoko-zaka steps and the Miei-do are lit, and the upper gallery of the National Treasure gate opens. The Hojo Garden is not included
The Hojo Garden is not open at night; for it, go by day (last entry 15:50, combined ticket sold until 15:20). Tripods and monopods are banned in the grounds
About the garden
Everyone photographs the National Treasure gate; almost no one pays for Yuzen-en at its foot or the Hojo Garden behind the main hall. One ticket lets you compare a pond garden from the 1950s with one from the 1600s, which makes for a walk that ends in an argument about which you prefer.
Where to stand
In Yuzen-en the first pond, Fudaraku-ike, is the focus; every line leads to the Kannon statue (by Takamura Koun) standing in the water. Walk on to the raised dry garden at the back and look behind you: the pond you just saw now sits sunk beneath the trees. The Hojo Garden is a pond walked along the edge of the two Hojo halls, with the slope of Higashiyama used as its artificial hill. Across the pond, line up the roof of the smaller Hojo with the ridge of the hill behind it.
Practical notes
The two gardens are at opposite ends of the grounds, and since August 2026 you can no longer walk from the Hojo Garden through to the hillside pavilion; you return to the garden entrance. Buy the combined ticket before 15:20. Tripods, monopods and drones are banned, as are wedding or costume shoots without permission.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing6 min walkfrom Shoren-in Garden🍽 FoodEn (bistro and wine bar)
A bistro and wine bar in a small house about three minutes from Higashiyama Station. It stays open until midnight, so dinner still works after Shoren-in closes at 22:00.
Order：A glass of wine and a bistro plate
- ☾ Open after the evening viewing10 min walk🍽 FoodAdachiya (pork-miso soup and sake)
A small counter-seat bar run by a couple. Their signature pork-miso soup and Niigata sake will warm you up late into the night after an evening viewing, and it is open on Mondays when En is closed.
Order：Tonjiru and a Niigata sake
18:00–3:00 (last order 2:30)Closed: Sundays (open Sunday and closed Monday when Monday is a holiday)¥4,000–5,000Details ↗ - 9 min walkfrom Shoren-in Garden☕ CafeKissa Rokka
A café near Higashiyama Station that takes its vegetable dishes seriously. The calm room, with a few sofa seats, is good for a light meal before or after a daytime visit.
Order：The vegetable-heavy set meal