Hagi Festival
The Hagi Festival celebrates an understated flower that signals the approach of autumn in Japan.
This event is held at the Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens in Sumida City, Tokyo, a place with deep historical and literary roots.
The gardens were first established in the early 19th century by Sahara Kikuu, an antiques dealer, with the help of various artists and writers from the Edo period.
Unlike the grand gardens of feudal lords, Mukojima-Hyakkaen was designed as a flower garden for the common townspeople and is the only surviving example of its kind from that era.
The festival’s main feature is the Japanese bush clover, or hagi, which holds a special place in Japanese culture as one of the “Seven Flowers of Autumn.”
This plant is so significant that it appears in 141 poems within the Man’yōshū, Japan’s oldest collection of poetry.
A highlight for visitors is the Hagi no Tonneru, a remarkable 30-meter-long tunnel made from bush clover trained over a bamboo frame, creating a unique walkway of delicate pink flowers.
While the bush clover is the star, the gardens also display the other six autumn flowers, including Japanese pampas grass, balloon flowers, and pinks.
During the festival, special events such as traditional tea ceremonies and musical performances may also be scheduled, offering a deeper cultural experience.
Event Details
- Official Name: Hagi Matsuri (萩まつり)
- Location: Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, 3-18-3 Higashimukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo
- Dates: Annually from mid-September to early October. It is best to check the official website for confirmed dates each year.
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
- Admission: General admission is ¥150. A reduced price of ¥70 is available for visitors aged 65 and over.
Tips for Visitors
- Check the Schedule: For information on specific events like tea ceremonies or musical performances, consult the official garden website before your visit.
- Explore the Grounds: Beyond the Hagi Tunnel, take time to see the other “Seven Flowers of Autumn” and the various stone monuments inscribed with poems from the garden’s founders.
- Photography: The gardens offer many scenic views, including perspectives that frame the Tokyo Skytree in the background.
How to get there
- By Train: The gardens are most easily reached by train. It is an 8-minute walk from Higashi-Mukojima Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, or a 13-minute walk from Keisei Hikifune Station on the Keisei Oshiage Line.
Event Summary
| calendar_month DATE | Sep 13 2025 - Oct 04 2025 |
|---|---|
| schedule TIME | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| payments Cost | from ¥70 |
| info Website | Official Website |
| location_on Location | Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens |
|---|---|
| map Area | Tokyo Hikifune |
| category CATEGORY | Flowers Gardens |
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