Citizens' Day in Tokyo: Free Entry to Museums, Gardens and Zoos

Every October 1, Tokyo Citizens' Day opens the doors of many metropolitan gardens, zoos and museums at no charge, and a little planning makes the most of it.

Published October 20, 2026 at 10:47 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Tokyo Citizens' Day (Tomin no Hi) falls on October 1 each year and is set by a metropolitan ordinance. On that day the Tokyo Metropolitan Government waives or reduces fees at facilities the governor designates, which in recent years have included metropolitan gardens, zoos, an aquarium and several museums. The list varies by year, so check the official notices.

What Tokyo Citizens' Day is

Tokyo Citizens' Day, called Tomin no Hi in Japanese, is a day set aside on October 1 for residents to feel a closer connection to the city and to share a day of enjoyment together. It was established by a Tokyo metropolitan ordinance that took effect on October 1, 1952. The ordinance explains that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and its affiliated offices open their facilities to the public on the day and hold commemorative events so that people can understand local government better.

Under the ordinance, the governor may designate usage and admission fees at metropolitan facilities to be waived or reduced on the day, so only designated facilities take part. That detail explains why the day is best thought of as a long list of participating places rather than a universal free pass. October 1 is not a national public holiday, but the day has become a well-known chance to visit a garden, zoo or museum at no charge, and families and visitors alike plan around it.

The ordinance states its purpose as strengthening residents' sense of self-government and supporting the city's development and welfare by having people spend a day together in celebration. That is why the day combines open facilities with commemorative events, and why it is a good moment to learn how the metropolitan government's gardens, museums and waterworks facilities serve the city.

Which places have been free

The list changes, but recent notices give a clear picture. In 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced free admission and viewing for gardens such as Hamarikyu, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu, Koishikawa Korakuen, Rikugien, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei, Mukojima Hyakkaen, Kiyosumi, Kyu-Furukawa and Tonogayato. Zoos and botanical gardens included Ueno Zoo, Tama Zoo, Jindai Botanical Garden, Inokashira Park Zoo and Kasai Rinkai Aquarium.

Museum listings in 2025 included the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum for a specific planned exhibition, the garden of the Teien Art Museum, and selected exhibitions at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. For 2026, the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association has said that nine metropolitan gardens offer free entry on October 1, which falls on a Thursday that year.

How the list changes each year

Because the governor designates the facilities, the list is announced each year, usually shortly before the day. A facility may be on the list one year and absent the next, and a museum may offer free entry only to one exhibition. In the 2025 announcement, for example, some museum entries applied only to a named exhibition or to the garden alone, not the whole building.

To see the current list, search for the latest announcement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Citizen and Cultural Affairs, or visit the website of the facility you plan to visit. The metropolitan announcements are often posted in Japanese first, with English notices on some facility sites. A browser translation tool usually gives enough detail to confirm a date and a venue. Venue names are often written in English on the facility's own site, which helps when matching a Japanese list to a map.

Planning a Citizens' Day outing

October 1 is a popular day, so expect more visitors than usual. The metropolitan notice for 2025 said that entry times could be adjusted at gardens, zoos and museums when crowded, and free admission applies only during opening hours. Arriving soon after opening is the simplest way to avoid waiting, and choosing a weekday gives more room to move.

Pick one or two places rather than a long list, since lines and walking distances add up. Gardens such as Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien suit a slow stroll of an hour or two, while a zoo or open-air museum can fill a half day. Carry water and a light jacket, check the closing time and last entry, and leave extra time for getting between stations. Check whether anything is closed for maintenance or an event on the day.

Garden rules still apply

Free entry does not suspend a facility's normal rules, and some extra limits may apply on busy days, such as adjusted entry times at gardens, zoos and museums when crowds build. Each metropolitan garden also has its own year-round rules on matters such as food, drones, pets and photography equipment, so read them on the garden's page before you go.

Each garden publishes its own notice, so read the one for the place you are visiting. A good habit is to look at the facility's English page the evening before and note any rules about bags, cameras and food.

Identification and other free-entry occasions

The ordinance and the 2025 metropolitan notice do not mention an ID requirement for Citizens' Day. Because details can change, carry a photo ID or at least a copy of your residence card or passport, and confirm requirements on the facility page. For age-based free or reduced entry, which some gardens offer on other days, proof of age may be requested, so ID can matter then.

Koishikawa Korakuen's outline page also lists free admission for children of primary school age or younger, and for junior high school students who live or attend school in Tokyo, along with a reduced fee for visitors aged 65 and over. Such policies can be revised, so treat any dates as examples and check the current official page before you travel.

Making the most of the day

If you are visiting Tokyo as a traveler, Citizens' Day is an easy way to see a classic garden or a major zoo without paying an entrance fee. If you live in Tokyo, it is a chance to try a facility you have not visited. Some metropolitan water and sewerage museums have also held small commemorative events on the day, with talks, short videos and souvenirs, according to the 2025 announcement.

Build a flexible plan with a backup option nearby, such as a second garden in the same area, in case lines are long. Keep a small amount of cash for lockers, food or souvenirs, because free entry covers admission and not the rest. Rules and lists change each year, so confirm the details on the official notice before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Tokyo Citizens' Day?

Tokyo Citizens' Day is on October 1 every year, fixed by a Tokyo metropolitan ordinance. The weekday changes from year to year. It was a Wednesday in 2025 and a Thursday in 2026. October 1 is not a national public holiday.

Which places are free on Tokyo Citizens' Day?

The governor designates the facilities each year. In 2025, the list included many metropolitan gardens, several zoos and botanical gardens, an aquarium and some museums or exhibitions. In 2026, nine metropolitan gardens were announced as free. Check the current notice or the facility's own page.

Do I need ID for free entry on Tokyo Citizens' Day?

The notices reviewed do not mention an ID requirement for Citizens' Day itself. Since details can differ by facility and year, carry photo ID and check the facility page. For age-based free or reduced entry on other days, proof of age may be requested.

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