Sankeien Garden (located in Naka Ward, Yokohama), a nationally designated place of scenic beauty, will host the ‘Early Morning Lotus Viewing’ on six Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, 25 July to Sunday, 9 August 2026.
The lotus, which blooms as a pure flower from the mud, is regarded as a flower of great virtue and was particularly cherished by Sankei Hara, the founder of Sankeien. In keeping with the lotus’s natural habit of beginning to bloom at dawn and reaching its peak between 7.00 and 9.00 am, the garden will open at 7.00 am throughout the event period.
‘Early Morning Lotus Viewing’ Overview
| Dates: |
25 July (Sat) and 26 July (Sun), 1 August (Sat) and 2 August (Sun), 8 August (Sat) and 9 August (Sun), 2026 |
| Time: |
From 7:00 (Gates close at 17:00) |
| Admission: |
Garden admission fee only (some events require an additional charge) |
Hands-on Event: ‘Lotus Experience Corner’
The lotuses growing in Sankei-en are mainly primitive lotuses, a tall and highly prolific variety. At the Lotus Experience Corner, with the support of volunteers, visitors can learn about the unique ecology of lotuses—which is unlike that of other plants—through activities using lotus stems and leaves.
Even young children are welcome to take part, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Workshop: ‘Making Fan with Lotus Leaves’
An art workshop where you can freely arrange real lotus leaves and enjoy colouring them. Both adults and children can use their imagination to create a one-of-a-kind fan. Everything you need will be provided at the venue, so you can come empty-handed. A limited edition lotus leaf goshuincho will also be on sale at the venue.
Exclusive Breakfast Menu
This exclusive menu, available only during the Early Morning Lotus Viewing Event, is a popular fixture every year. The breakfasts, each thoughtfully prepared by the various tea houses, are renowned for being light and easy on the stomach. All tea houses open at 7:00 and serve on a first-come, first-served basis.
120th Anniversary of the Park’s Opening: Special Exhibition ‘Sankeien in Art’
This exhibition showcases paintings from our collection depicting Sankeien. A diverse range of artistic expressions will be brought together under one roof, from landscape paintings that capture the actual scenery as it is, to works that reconstruct it as abstract imagery, and approachable, pop-style illustrations.
