For two days this autumn, you can stroll through the garden of a Nara ryotei that is normally closed to casual visitors. Hyakurakuso, a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) on a hilltop in Tomio, on the western edge of Nara City, holds its “Hyakurakuso Autumn Garden Opening” on Wednesday, November 11 and Sunday, November 15, 2026. Admission is free, and you can walk around the garden, with its sukiya-style Japanese architecture of about 90 years’ standing, among the changing leaves.
About 80 lanterns along the slope, autumn leaves and Japanese architecture
Hyakurakuso is a ryotei where modern early-Showa-era architecture blends with the four seasons. Ten sukiya-style detached rooms are scattered across a garden of about 10,000 tsubo (roughly 33,000 sq m). The place is normally used for celebrations, memorial services and business entertaining, and operates by reservation only.
On the opening days, about 80 lanterns line the slope leading up to the entrance gate, Chojumon. Walking up toward the gate past trees just beginning to turn should be part of the experience. Every visitor receives a “Hyakurakuso preferential coupon,” and children of elementary-school age or younger get a sweet treat.
Opening hours are 11:00–17:00 on November 11 and 15:00–17:00 on November 15 (both last entry). Since November 15 starts in the afternoon, you can still make it if you set out after lunch on that Sunday.
The “Autumn Colors Gozen” in the grand hall, on the opening days only
After the walk, you can also have a meal in the grand hall. The “Autumn Colors Gozen” is a special set meal prepared by Hyakurakuso’s chefs just for these days, to be enjoyed while looking out over the garden.
Note that it is sold in advance only, not on the day. Meal vouchers go on sale at Kintetsu Retailing’s online shop, Irodori Mall, from 14:00 on Tuesday, October 20 to 17:00 on Sunday, November 1. There are 40 servings per session, 120 in total, and sales end when they run out. Vouchers are mailed from Monday, November 2 onward and brought with you on the day. The meal is served in the grand hall only; takeout and eating elsewhere, including in the garden, are not allowed.
A talk by Kenji Yanobe and a meal, on Nov 10
On Tuesday, November 10, the day before the garden opens, a collaboration with Gakuenmae Art Festa, a resident-run art project in the Gakuenmae area of Nara, takes place. It features a talk by Osaka-born contemporary artist Kenji Yanobe, and the Autumn Colors Gozen is served with a menu drawn by him at his own suggestion. This year’s Gakuenmae Art Festa theme is “Nokosareta Toki no Katachi” (“Forms of time left behind”), and Hyakurakuso, with its early-Showa architecture, fits that theme well.
A voucher bought in advance is also required for this event. It costs ¥6,600 (tax included), with 40 servings available. Note that the garden is not open to the general public that day.
Event details
- Event: Hyakurakuso Autumn Garden Opening
- Dates and times: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11:00–17:00, and Sunday, November 15, 15:00–17:00 (both last entry)
- Admission: free (garden stroll only)
- Venue: Hyakurakuso garden (3-1-3 Hyakurakuen, Nara)
- Autumn Colors Gozen: ¥6,600 (tax included). 40 servings per session: Nov 11, 11:00–13:00 and 15:00–17:00; Nov 15, 15:00–17:00. Advance sales only
- Autumn Colors Gozen with a talk by Kenji Yanobe: ¥6,600 (tax included). Tuesday, November 10: reception 11:00, talk 12:00, meal 12:30, ends 14:00. Limited to 40 servings
- Voucher sales: 14:00 on October 20 (Tue) to 17:00 on November 1 (Sun), at the online shop Irodori Mall (https://www.irodorimall-kintetsu.jp/)
- Notes: Please come by public transport (no cars, motorbikes or bicycles). No pets (except guide, assistance and hearing dogs). No outside food or drink, and no picnic sheets. Entry may be limited when crowded. The garden opening may change or be cancelled depending on the weather
- Website (Japanese): https://hyakurakuso.com
- Gakuenmae Art Festa (Japanese): https://www.gakuenmae-af.com/
