A Modern Garden Preserving Japan’s Architectural Heritage

Sankei-en is a spacious traditional Japanese landscape garden located in Yokohama. Though one of Japan’s youngest gardens, it reflects centuries of history through its carefully transplanted buildings and timeless design.

The garden was created by Sankei Hara, a wealthy silk merchant, who began construction in 1902 and opened it to the public in 1906. Recognizing the cultural value of historic architecture, Hara relocated temples, tea houses, and residences from all over Japan, reassembling them within his garden grounds.

Among the highlights are the Main Hall and three-storied pagoda of Tōmyō-ji temple, originally from Kyoto, now standing beside a central pond in the outer garden. The garden also features streams, walking paths, and seasonal plantings, making it ideal for a peaceful stroll and cultural reflection.

Sankei-en is not only a beautiful modern garden—it is also an open-air museum that preserves and presents Japanese architectural history in a living landscape.

Read more in our eBook!

eBook cover Sankeien Garden by Real Japanese Gardens

Sankeien Garden Guide

This eBook explores Sankei-en garden in Yokohama, where early 20th-century design meets centuries-old architecture.
Ideal for garden lovers, architecture fans, and cultural travelers.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.

Buy Now
Free Preview
  • Introduction to Sankei-en
  • The Gardens of Sankei-en
  • Buildings of the Inner Garden
  • Buildings of the Outer Garden
  • Map and Overview
  • Around Sankeien
  • Directions

16 informative pages
packed with 10 hand drawn illustrations and
29 photographs of the buildings and scenic landscape

PDF 28MB
The eBook is delivered as PDF.

Gallery

  • Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Sankeien Japanese garden in Yokohama by Real Japanese Gardens

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    Directions

    How to get to the garden

    From the Yokohama main station, take bus number 8 towards Honmoku-Shako (本牧車庫) and get off at Honmoku-Sankei-en-mae. From there, walking in south western direction, follow the signs toward the park entrance.

    View Google Map (Google Website)

    Address

    • EN: 58-1 Honmokusannotani, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
    • JP: 〒231-0824 神奈川県横浜市中区本牧三之谷５８−１

    Opening times

    • 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry at 4:30pm)

    Closed around New Year between December 26th and December 31.

    Admission fee

    • Adults: 900 yen
    • Elementary and Junior High School Students: 200 yen
    • Free for Junior High School Students who live in Tokyo

    Facilities & Accessibility

    • Tea room: Sankeien
    • Tea room: Karigane
    • Restaurant: Taishunken
    • Sankei Kinenkan Museum
    • Multipurpose Toilet with Ostomate
    • The garden is partly accessible with wheelchair

    Best time to visit

    • From End of March - beginning of April for Cherry Blossoms.
    • From End of November to the beginning of December for autumn leaves.

    Map

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