15,000 chrysanthemums will color the whole garden during the period. “Sengan-en Chrysanthemum Festival” will be held from November 1st (Wed) to November 23rd (Thu) this year.
There are some photo spots such as a three-story tower and a sedan-chair decorated with chrysanthemums. You can enjoy the beautiful autumn day at the site, admiring flowers.
This year’s festival theme is “Heading Towards The 150th Anniversary of the Meiji Restoration - The Future Through the Eyes of Nariakira Shimazu And Takamori Saigo -”
Nariakira Shimazu was the lord of Satsuma domain who established a Western-style industrial complex project. Takamori Saigo was one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, living during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. He has been dubbed the last true samurai. The Chrysanthemum Figures of Nariakira and Saigo are exhibited as the symbols of this festival.
There are some other photo spots such as a three-story tower and other beautiful exhibits, and you can enjoy the beautifully decorated garden.
Also, the annual lunch tours, Japanese drum performances, and matchlock gun demonstrations will be held this year, too!
[Events]
Traditional Events Liven Up the Chrysanthemum Festival
Some traditional events are also part of the festival’s attractiveness.
Matchlock Gun Demonstration Performances
(Satsuma-Hioki Teppo-tai-no Enbu / 薩摩日置鉄炮隊の演武)
Date & Time: November 19th (Sun) 11:30 ~ 11:50 / 14:30 ~ 14:50
Place: Tsurugane Shrine (鶴嶺神社), next to Sengan-en
The matchlock gun demonstration group was established in Hiokii city, which is associated with the Shimazu clan. The roar of gun shots and gun fire reminds you of the battles of The Warring States period.
*In case of bad weather, this event will be canceled.
Nodago Shimazu Japanese Drum Performances
(Nodago Shimazu Daiko / 野田郷島津太鼓
Date & Time: November 19th (Sun) 10:30 ~ 11:00 / 13:30 ~ 14:00
Place: Special Stage at The Palace Garden
Nodago Shimazu Japanese Drum Performances are held on the last Sunday of the festival period. Performers play drums in front of the view of Sakurajima. Enjoy the dramatic sound of Japanese drums!
*In case of bad weather, this event will be canceled.
Japanese Archery Ritual (Kusajishi-shiki / 草鹿式)
Date: November 26th (Sun)
Place: Special Stage at The Palace Garden
The Japanese Archery Ritual (Kusajishi-shiki) which is held on the 26th of November is highly recommended.
Kusajishi-shiki is the ancient ritual of Japanese archery based on the Ogasawara-ryu style. People in Japanese traditional clothes will demonstrate the martial art of archery.
*In case of bad weather, this event will be postponed or canceled. Please check the details on the Sengan-en web page.
Beautiful Flowers and Great Lunch!
Popular Special Lunch Tours Are Available During the Festival Period
The popular special lunch tours, “Enjoy Chrysanthemum Festival Lunch Tour” and “Jimyo Festival”, are being held this year, too.
T*Booking is required for both of them.
Enjoy Chrysanthemum Lunch Tour
(Kiku-matsuri Mankitsu Lunch Tour /菊まつり満喫ランチツアー)
Date & Time: November 8th (Wed) 10:30 ~ 12:30
Fee: 3,000 yen (Entrance fee and lunch included)
Capacity: 20 people / tour
This plan is variable with a guided tour and a special lunch.
You can learn about the chrysanthemum history and take a workshop, and walk around in the garden looking at beautiful flowers while listening to the stories about looking after the flowers, enjoying the many scenic view points and many other things.
The restaurant has a gorgeous view of Sakurajima. Enjoy the tasty special lunch with the view.
Jimyo Festival (Jimyo-sai /持明祭)
*For Ladies Only
Date & Time: November 5th (Sun) 10:00 ~ 12:30
Fee: 3,500 yen (Entrance fee and lunch included)
Capacity: 30 people / tour
Tsurugane Shrine (鶴嶺神社), the shrine next to Sengan-en is the shrine where the family leaders of Shimazu and the families are enshrined. Jimyo-in was the 3rd daughter of Yoshihisa Shimazu, the 16th head. She was a very good-natured lady, so people respected her as an ideal lady. In Kagoshima, she is called “Jime-saa” and is still loved by people.
November 5th is a month after the anniversary of her death.
In this tour, you can participate in the Shinto Ritual for Jumyo-in, and hear a history lecture related to Jimyo-in. You can also have experiences of anti-aging and Japanese old-style rouge.
The special lunch which is called “Bijin Gozen (Beautiful Woman Meal)” is full of seasonal ingredients and is very healthy.
Encounter Traditional Craft in Satsuma
Satsuma Kiriko Cut Glass And Strolling Daimyo Garden
~ Experience Craftmanship with a Guide’s Explanation
(薩摩切子とお庭散策ツアー ~ ガイドとめぐる匠の技 ~)
~ Experience Craftmanship with a Guide’s Explanation
(薩摩切子とお庭散策ツアー ~ ガイドとめぐる匠の技 ~)
Date: November 10th (Fri) / November 17th (Fri) 13:30 ~ 15:00
Fee: 2,000 yen (Entrance fee and sweets included)
Capacity: 15 people / tour
Satsuma’s traditional craft “Satsuma Kiriko Cut glass” is delicate and features overlaid colored glass. The main feature is the deep color of the overlaid colored glass. Also, cutting the glass boldly gives beautiful gradations of color.
In this tour, you visit the Satsuma Kiriko Gallery and the factory with a guide, and stroll in the garden full of chrysanthemums.
After walking in the garden, sweets on the beautiful satsuma kiriko glassware and tea are served.
Seasonal Lunch for November “Kikka-zen (Chrysanthemum Lunch)”
You can also enjoy the November special lunch “Kikka-zen (Chrysanthemum Lunch / 菊花膳)” without joining tours. Only 15 servings / day. (1,860 yen, tax included)
The restaurant has a gorgeous view of Sakurajima. Enjoy the tasty special lunch with the view.
Place: Ohka-tei (桜華亭) in Sengan-en/font>
Enjoy Sengan-en Taking Photos And Posting on Instagram
You can also enjoy the November special lunch “Kikka-zen (Chrysanthemum Lunch / 菊花膳)” without joining tours. Only 15 servings / day. (1,860 yen, tax included)
The restaurant has a gorgeous view of Sakurajima. Enjoy the tasty special lunch with the view.
Place: Ohka-tei (桜華亭) in Sengan-en/font>
Enjoy Sengan-en Taking Photos And Posting on Instagram
Take photos at Sengan-en during the festival period, and post them with the “#仙巌園菊まつり”. Sengan-en will present a Satsuma-kiriko key ring to 5 people (drawn by lot).
Spend a gorgeous autumn day with the nobiliary chrysanthemums.
Sengan-en, the festival site was registered as a cultural site of world heritage.
Start |
Nov. 01, 2017 〜 Nov. 23, 2017 8:30 ~ 17:30 |
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Genre | Chrysanthemum Festival |
Zip | 892-0871 |
Address | 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima city |
Place | Sengan-en (仙巌園) |
Parking | 500 spaces (300 yen / day) |
Fee | Entrance fee: Adults. 1,000 yen |
Contact |
Sengan-en TEL: 099-247-1551 |
Web | http://www.senganen.jp/ |