Isuien and Yoshikien at a glance
Two gardens sit close together in the eastern part of Nara. Isuien is a ticketed garden, and its ticket also includes the Neiraku Museum. Yoshikien is free for everyone. Both are quiet places for a break between the larger temples and the deer park, and both are worth more time in autumn.
This site is an independent guide and is not run by either garden. Prices are in Japanese yen as of 2026 and can change, so check them before you go.
Isuien: tickets, hours and closing days
The ticket includes the Neiraku Museum.
| Visitor | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adults | JPY 1,200 |
| University and high school students | JPY 500 |
| Middle and elementary school students | JPY 300 |
| Visitors with a disability certificate | JPY 500, one companion free |
The garden is open 09:30–16:30, and the last entry is at 16:00. It is closed on Tuesdays. If a Tuesday is a public holiday, it opens that day and closes on the next weekday instead. Care breaks usually fall at the end of December to mid-January and in the last third of September, and parts of the garden can close because of weather or maintenance. Check the garden's calendar for the exact days before you plan around them.
Nara tours and day trips
Guided walks, temple visits and day trips from Kyoto and Osaka, with live prices and availability.
Visiting Isuien
What to know before you enter.
The grounds have a pond, lawns and hills, and the Todai-ji gate appears behind the garden. Many visitors combine the garden with the Great Buddha Hall, which has its own guide on the sister site.
Getting there
It is about 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara. There is no car park, so come on foot or by bus. Our getting-there guide explains both stations.
Stepping stones
The paths use stepping stones, and the garden is not suitable for wheelchairs. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably.
House rules
No eating and no smoking in the garden.
Yoshikien: the free garden
Three garden areas, no entry fee.
Yoshikien is free for everyone since April 2020, and this applies to all visitors, including those from abroad. It is open 09:00–17:00 with the last entry at 16:30, and it is closed from 24 to 28 February.
The garden has three parts: a pond garden, a moss garden and a tea-flower garden. A visit to the garden is separate from renting the tea room, which you book on its own. Do not count a tea room fee as an entry fee.
The two gardens work well together. Isuien is the ticketed garden with a museum, and Yoshikien has three themed areas and costs nothing, so it fits easily into a short stop.
Autumn colour at the gardens
A planning range, not a guarantee.
Isuien's autumn colour is usually planned for mid to late November. In the park areas the range runs from late October to early December. Treat these as guides. The peak differs from year to year, and not every tree changes at the same time.
If you come for the colour, aim for the middle of the range and check the garden's calendar for care breaks and closing days first.
Isuien and Yoshikien: frequently asked questions
How much does Isuien cost?
In 2026 the ticket is JPY 1,200 for adults, JPY 500 for university and high school students and JPY 300 for middle and elementary school students. It includes the Neiraku Museum.
Is Yoshikien free?
Yes. Yoshikien is free for all visitors. Tea room use is a separate booking and not part of the garden entry.
When is Isuien closed?
On Tuesdays. If Tuesday is a public holiday, the garden opens that day and closes on the next weekday. There are also care breaks at the end of December to mid-January and in the last third of September.
What are the opening hours?
Isuien is open 09:30–16:30 with the last entry at 16:00. Yoshikien is open 09:00–17:00 with the last entry at 16:30.
Can I visit with a wheelchair?
No. The stepping stones make Isuien unsuitable for wheelchairs.
When are the autumn colours at their best?
Mid to late November is the usual range for Isuien. The park areas run from late October to early December. The peak differs from year to year.