1About The Garden of Words & Its Locations
The Garden of Words (Japanese title: Kotonoha no Niwa) was released on May 31, 2013. It is Makoto Shinkai's fifth film and a 46-minute short, immediately preceding his global breakthrough Your Name.
The story follows Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker who skips morning classes on rainy days to sketch in a gazebo in Shinjuku Gyoen. There he meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious older woman drinking beer and eating chocolate. Their wordless encounters during the rainy season slowly grow into a quiet, complicated love story.
The title's word kotonoha ("leaves of words") is rooted in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology. The film draws from an ancient Japanese word, "koi" (孤悲), written with kanji meaning "solitary longing"—a love marked by lonely yearning rather than romantic union.
The pilgrimage spots are clustered in three areas, all within walking distance:
① Shinjuku Gyoen (center) — The gazebo, taiko bridge, Japanese garden, Sendagaya Gate, Shinjuku Gate.
② Sendagaya Station area — Takao's commute route and the Excelsior Caffé.
③ Shinjuku Station South Exit & LUMINE — Takao's path to the garden.
2Pilgrimage Spots Inside Shinjuku Gyoen
The pavilion where Takao and Yukino fatefully met. On a rainy day, Takao arrived at his usual sketching spot to find a woman already there, enjoying beer and chocolate—the unforgettable opening encounter of one of Shinkai's most beloved scenes.
The gazebo also serves as the location for the romantic scene where Takao measures Yukino's foot to design shoes for her. Located in the Japanese Garden area of Shinjuku Gyoen, multiple gazebos exist within the park, but the one closest to the pond is widely recognized as the pilgrimage spot.
- Location
- Shinjuku Gyoen, Japanese Garden (pond-side)
- Best Entry
- Sendagaya Gate
- Note
- Multiple gazebos exist—try others if crowded
The vermillion arched bridge in Shinjuku Gyoen's Japanese Garden. It appears in the film's opening sequence depicting the rain-soaked garden. The stone lanterns by the pond, the koi fish swimming below, and the rain ripples on the water surface—this is where Shinkai's "magic of rain and light" shines most beautifully.
- Location
- Shinjuku Gyoen, Japanese Garden
- Photo Tip
- Mornings during rainy season offer the closest match to the film
The gate Takao always used to enter the park. Best access to the Japanese Garden area and recommended for pilgrims. Only a 5-minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station.
※ As of April 2026, Shinjuku Gyoen officially recommends entering via Sendagaya Gate, as the Shinjuku Gate and Okido Gate are usually crowded.
- Location
- 6-1-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Nearest Station
- JR Sendagaya Station (Chuo-Sobu Line) - 5-min walk
Another gate Takao sometimes used. While easily accessible from Shinjuku Station's South Exit, it tends to be heavily crowded during cherry blossom season and weekends.
- Location
- 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Nearest Stations
- JR Shinjuku Station South Exit - 10-min walk / Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station (Metro Marunouchi Line) - 5-min walk
3Entering Shinjuku Gyoen: Essential Info
Entrance fee: Adults 500 yen / High school students & seniors (65+) 250 yen / Junior high and younger Free
Payment: Cash or transit IC cards (Suica/PASMO) accepted at all gates.
Web tickets: Pre-purchase via Asoview to skip the line (valid 6 months from purchase).
Hours: Vary by season. Mar 15–Jun 30: 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), New Year's holidays (Dec 29–Jan 3)
During cherry blossom season (March–April), advance reservation is required. For pilgrimage purposes, the rainy season (June), fresh green (May), or autumn (November) are recommended to avoid crowds.
4Sendagaya & Shinjuku Station Area
The station Takao uses to access Shinjuku Gyoen. The platform, ticket gate, and station plaza all appear in the film. The Excelsior Caffé Sendagaya Ekimae-ten outside the station is also a pilgrimage spot where Takao stops by.
- Location
- 5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Access
- JR Chuo-Sobu Local Line
- To Sendagaya Gate
- 5-min walk
The film opens with Takao walking from Shinjuku Station's South Exit past LUMINE shopping mall on his way to Shinjuku Gyoen. The route is exactly as depicted in the film.
- Location
- 3-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Access
- JR Shinjuku Station South Exit (directly connected)
The high-rise tower visible just south of Shinjuku Gyoen. It appears repeatedly throughout the film as a backdrop, becoming what fans call "the building that frames The Garden of Words." Looking up from the Sendagaya Gate captures the same composition as the film.
- Location
- 5-24-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Note
- Building interior not open to public—view from outside only
5Why Rainy Days are Best (3 Reasons)
The pilgrimage for The Garden of Words is best experienced on rainy days. Here's why:
① Total Immersion in the Film's World
The entire film is built around rain. While Shinjuku Gyoen is beautiful on clear days, the moment you stand at the gazebo on a rainy morning, you'll feel like you've stepped into the opening scene of the film.
② Significantly Less Crowded
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's most popular tourist spots. Sunny weekends are heavily crowded. On rainy days, visitor numbers drop dramatically, and you have a much higher chance of having the gazebo all to yourself. The contemplative experience of sitting in the gazebo and listening to the rain is only possible on rainy days.
③ Dramatic Photography
Raindrops creating ripples in the pond, glistening wet stone paths, taiko bridge under an umbrella—exactly the visuals from the film. Bring waterproof protection for your camera/smartphone.
6Half-Day Model Itinerary
🗓️ Rainy Day Shinjuku Gyoen Half-Day Course
7Pilgrimage Etiquette
🙏 Please Read Before Visiting
- Shinjuku Gyoen is a national garden under the Ministry of the Environment. Picking plants/flowers and catching insects is prohibited.
- Alcohol is prohibited within the park (yes, even though Yukino drinks beer in the film—the movie's ending even includes a note about this. Please do not recreate that scene with real alcohol).
- The gazebo is shared with other visitors. Avoid extended monopolization or loud conversations.
- Tripod photography is restricted during cherry blossom season. At other times, please be mindful of other visitors' paths.
- Pets are not allowed (except service animals).
- Take your trash with you—littering is strictly prohibited.
- NTT Docomo building grounds are not open to the public—exterior photography only.
🏨 Hotels Near Shinjuku Gyoen & Items
Find accommodations perfect for your pilgrimage in Tokyo's Shinjuku area:
🌧️ Summary
The Garden of Words pilgrimage is a half-day, walking-distance experience centered on Shinjuku Gyoen. All major spots are within walking distance in the heart of Tokyo, yet the garden offers an otherworldly tranquility.
Especially recommended is visiting the gazebo on a rainy day—it's the ultimate experience for fans. Imagine the words Takao and Yukino exchanged, the Manyoshu poems, the rain-soaked Japanese garden—and feel the 46-minute story come to life around you.
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