Digital art collective Naked Inc is giving Shinjuku’s green oasis a makeover this spring. Shinjuku Gyoen has around 900 cherry blossom trees of 70 different varieties that will be lit up in pretty pink lights and projection mapping until April 23. This is also a rare chance to explore Shinjuku Gyoen after dark, as it’s usually closed in the evening.
If you enter the park from the entrance closest to Shinjuku-Gyoen Station exit 1, you can rent one of the lanterns that come in five different colours. You’ll then walk along a path lit up with colourful lights before emerging in a large field complete with beautiful illuminations and calming background music.
One of the highlights is Ryotaro Muramatsu’s Dandelion Project, which is getting a springtime makeover to become the Sakura Dandelion. This projection mapping display will show digital sakura bloom amid the real cherry blossoms, and you can interact with it by scanning a QR code.
You’ll also be able to admire the illuminations while sitting on the grass and snacking on cherry blossom-themed drinks and treats from the Tree by Naked food truck. Get a sakura mochi scone (¥500) or a matcha pound cake (¥400) and pair it with a grape and grapefruit pink mocktail (¥800) or hot sakura lemonade (¥600). For savoury meals, stop by the café near the entrance, where you’ll find vegan-friendly dishes like plant-based corn dogs (¥600) and ‘chicken’ nuggets (¥600). You can also bring your own food and drinks into the grounds, but alcohol is not allowed.
A limited number of pink sakura-shaped picnic mats will be sold next to the food trucks for ¥700, along with a Naked flower omikuji (fortune-telling strips; ¥500) that comes with an artificial flower you can take home.
Tickets for Monday to Thursday are ¥1,800 (advanced ¥1,600), while Friday to Sunday and holidays are ¥2,200 (advanced ¥1,800). If you purchase tickets in advance, you can also get a pink sakura-shaped picnic sheet for an additional ¥600.