I recently visited the Japanese Garden in Daisen Park, Sakai City, to see the autumn illumination event, “Special Autumn Night Opening – Light of Autumn Leaves.” As dusk fell, the garden transformed into a magical scene under the soft illumination. Here’s my report of that beautiful evening experience.
Visit date: November 22 (Saturday)
Enchanting Autumn Leaves Illuminated at Daisen Park Japanese Garden
When I visited during the daytime, I was captivated by the vibrant autumn colors shining under the sunlight. However, the illuminated autumn leaves in the darkness offered a completely different kind of beauty!
Autumn Leaves Floating in the Dark
These red maple leaves near the entrance stood out beautifully, glowing vividly against the dark background.
This is the view from Eihabashi and Ingetsubashi Bridges.
The illuminated line of trees stretching evenly across the pond was breathtaking!
Overall, the area from the entrance to the bridges had the best colors in the garden.
Some Leaves Still Turning Color
As of November 22, the leaves around the entrance and bridges had turned bright red, but there were still some trees with green leaves like this one.
Although the official website labeled the garden as “at its best,” it seemed that the true peak would come a little later.
Tips for Photographing the Illuminated Leaves
The trees are brightly lit so that the leaves can be seen beautifully even from afar. Because of that, taking close-up shots can be tricky as the strong lights often hit the camera lens directly.
The key is to find an angle where the lights don’t glare into your shot.
In this photo, only the leaves were lit, creating a very mystical scene. I positioned myself so the tree trunk blocked the direct light from hitting the camera.
Walking Route Notes
During the daytime, visitors can walk the entire circular path, but at night, some sections are closed for safety. Please be aware of these restricted areas.
That means if you walk the left path first, you’ll need to return to the entrance before exploring the right side. Don’t miss the beautiful view near the building at the far end of the right path—it’s one of the best photo spots!
Top 4 Spots for Capturing the “Upside-Down Autumn Leaves” Reflection
The highlight of this event is the stunning reflection of the illuminated trees on the still pond surface—what’s known as “upside-down autumn leaves.” Here are my top 4 recommended photo spots!
Corner in Front of the Rest House
The large building facing the entrance is the Rest House. From the corner in front, you can see the pond—it’s a perfect spot for taking photos!
This is the first reflection visible from the entrance, so many people were taking pictures here.
On Eihabashi and Ingetsubashi Bridges
As mentioned earlier, the view from these bridges is truly spectacular! I recommend taking vertical shots here to capture the full scene.
Shooting vertically allows you to fit the entire reflection within the frame. The mirrored branches looked stunningly ethereal!
In Front of Kansen-den Hall at the End of the Right Path
At the far end of the right walking path, you’ll find a building called Kansen-den.
From the corner in front of Kansen-den, you can view the entire garden, so be sure to walk down the right-hand path.
Since this spot is farther from the trees, the lighting doesn’t overpower the view—the red leaves seem to float in the darkness like fireworks! A camera with zoom will help capture it better, but even to the naked eye, it was breathtaking.
Corridor of the Rest House
You can also enjoy a view of the Japanese Garden from the corridor inside the Rest House.
Here’s the reflection view captured from that corner.
The reflections visible from here are from the Eihabashi area. Because of the distance, the lighting doesn’t interfere, allowing for clear mirrored images.
Personally, the corridor of the Rest House and the area in front of Kansen-den were my favorite photo spots 👍
Relaxing Break at the Japanese Tea Café
At the corner of the Rest House, there’s a Japanese tea café. Matcha and roasted green tea are available for 550 yen, and a sweet set with “Rikyu Mochi (Matcha flavor)” costs 880 yen.
I ordered the sweet set since I wanted to try the Rikyu Mochi! The matcha had a rich flavor with a pleasant aroma, not overly bitter. The mochi was delicately sweet and paired perfectly with the tea—absolutely delicious.
I enjoyed my tea set in this eat-in space while admiring the illuminated autumn leaves—a luxurious moment of tranquility.
Illumination Event Information
- Event name: Special Autumn Night Opening – Light of Autumn Leaves
- Period: Usually held from mid-November to early December (specific dates vary each year)
- Time: 17:00–21:00 (Last admission 20:30)
- Fee: 200 yen participation + 200 yen admission = 400 yen total
For more details, please visit the official website below 👇
Access Information
Location: Daisen Naka-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka (inside Daisen Park)
Access: About a 4-minute walk from JR Hanwa Line “Mozu Station” to Daisen Park entrance, then about a 10-minute walk to the Japanese Garden.
Paid parking (127 spaces) is available inside Daisen Park.
Summary
The Japanese Garden is beautiful in the daytime, but during the “Light of Autumn Leaves” illumination, it transforms into a dreamlike world. The reflections of crimson leaves on the jet-black pond looked as dazzling as fireworks.
It was a wonderful experience that truly embodied the charm of Japan’s autumn season.
Peaceful night strolls, shimmering reflections, and vibrant foliage—this event is absolutely worth visiting in autumn. If you’re interested, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself!
In this related article, I introduce the Japanese Garden’s autumn scenery during the daytime. Compare both to see how different the atmosphere feels 👇
