Showa Kinen Park

Tachikawa's Showa Kinen Park has the most impressive fields of cosmos flowers in Tokyo and this is the ideal time to see them all in full bloom. The hilly grasslands of the park are usually draped in colour from mid-September with various types of cosmos flowers, and the multicoloured scenery can be enjoyed well into mid-October. There are three main gardens: The Lemon Bright field, which is covered in vivid yellow sulfur cosmos; Autumn Bouquet Garden, which has a mixture of 20 different cosmos; and the Cosmos Sensation filled with lilac blooms. Don't miss the picturesque soap bubble event, where you can see countless small bubbles floating over the flower gardens. This special spectacle happens twice a day from 10.30am and 12noon on September 12 at the Lemon Bright field, September 27 at the Autumn Bouquet Garden, and October 7 at the nearby Kochia garden garden. Entrance fees are waived on October 25 and 25, 2026.

Showa Kinen Park is the most beautiful in autumn, with the maple and ginkgo trees blushing in fiery red and yellow respectively. The ginkgo trees are the first to turn and you can see one of the two boulevards of golden yellow trees as soon as you enter the park’s Tachikawa gate. These trees are expected to turn full yellow in mid-November. The momiji and kaede trees, however, present their signature vermillion hues a bit later towards the end of November. During this season, the park stays open after dark, with special light-ups taking place at the Katarai no Icho Namiki Ginkgo Tree Avenue (near the futsal and basketball courts), the canal ginkgo avenue by the Tachikawa park entrance and the traditional Japanese Garden from 4.30pm until 8.30pm. While you can enjoy the light-ups at Ginkgo Tree Avenue with just the park's regular admission fee (¥450, free for junior high school students and younger), you need an extra ticket to enter the Japanese Garden for the evening light-up (advance ticket online ¥1,200, primary and junior high school students ¥600; same-day tickets sold at Komorebi House (cash-only) close to the Japanese Garden ¥1,300, ¥700). Tickets to enter the Japanese Garden are available for purchase online from October 22, including park admission and Japanese Garden bundle pass for a discounted price of ¥1,600 (¥600). Admission into the Japanese Garden is waived on October 29 and 30.

Find everything from furniture and old books to clothes and cameras at this massive flea market, held over four days at Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa. This market features over 300 sellers from all over the country, so you’re sure to stumble across some interesting finds. You can also pick up fabrics and fun knick-knacks at the Nordic Market, backpacks and bags at the Backpack Bazaar, dry flower bouquets and succulents at the Flower Market or sit down for a cup of coffee and a tasty pastry at one of the food stalls. There’s also live music to enjoy and some workshops taking place where you can learn skills like metalworking and brooch-crafting. Tickets are now on sale via Eplus.