Wanderyn
Sankeien
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Sankeien

Getting around: Take a bus from Yokohama or Sakuragicho stations, about 20-30 minutes, to the Sankeien-mae or Honmoku stops.
Hours: Typically 9am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm), open daily; paid admission.

Sankeien is a large strolling garden created in the early 1900s by a wealthy silk trader, Hara Sankei, who relocated historic buildings from across Japan — including a three-story pagoda, farmhouses, and a former Kyoto residence — into a landscaped setting of ponds, streams, and seasonal plantings. Unlike gardens built around a single historical narrative, Sankeien's charm comes from this deliberate assembly of varied, genuinely old structures within one cohesive designed landscape.

It's somewhat off the main Yokohama waterfront circuit, requiring a bus ride to reach, but it rewards visitors specifically interested in traditional garden design and relocated historic architecture with a quieter, less touristy experience than central Yokohama's main attractions.

Sankeien FAQs

Are the buildings in the garden original?

Yes, many are genuine historic buildings, including a three-story pagoda and old farmhouses, relocated here in the early 1900s by the garden's creator, Hara Sankei.

Is there an entrance fee?

Yes, a paid admission.

How far is it from central Yokohama?

About 20-30 minutes by bus from Yokohama or Sakuragicho stations.

What season is best for a visit?

Spring for cherry blossoms and plum trees, autumn for foliage, though the garden's varied landscape is attractive most of the year.

How long should I plan for a visit?

About 1.5-2 hours to walk the grounds.

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