Yokohama's Garden Expo: A Blooming Plan for 2027

Get ready for GREEN x EXPO 2027 in Yokohama: what a horticultural expo is, the planned villages and gardens, shuttle access and planning tips.

Published October 17, 2026 at 9:14 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: GREEN x EXPO 2027 is a top category international horticultural expo planned for Yokohama, with a six month run from spring to early autumn of 2027. Its theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness, and the plans include ten million flowers and plants.

Why Everyone Is Talking About Yokohama's Flower Expo

Japan is preparing to host a major celebration of plants, gardens and green living in Yokohama, and anticipation is building. The event is called GREEN x EXPO 2027, officially the International Horticultural Expo 2027, and it is planned as a six-month festival of flowers that stretches from spring into early autumn of 2027. Organizers describe it as a journey through ten million flowers and plants, with displays that change as the seasons turn. For garden lovers, families and travelers who enjoy seasonal scenery, it is one of the most interesting events on the Japanese calendar ahead.

This guide explains what a horticultural expo is, what the organizers have announced so far, how the venue is set up, and how visitors can start planning. As of autumn 2026, many details are still being finalized, and the information below reflects what the official sources have confirmed or described as planned. Please check the official website for the latest news on tickets, access and participants before you make any travel decisions.

What Is an International Horticultural Expo?

A horticultural expo is a world fair devoted to plants, gardens and the many ways people live alongside nature. This one is classified in the highest category, known as A1, which means it is approved by the International Association of Horticultural Producers and accredited by the Bureau International des Expositions, the body that oversees world expos. Such events are rare, and they invite countries and organizations to show gardens, technologies and ideas about greener living. About 70 countries and international organizations are planned to take part.

The official theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness. The organizers want visitors to rethink the value of knowledge and culture that use nature's many functions in daily life, and to apply those ideas to building a sustainable society. Four sub-themes guide the exhibits: harmony with nature, coexistence through greenery and agriculture, creation of new industries, and resolution through cooperation. The brand message, Bloom of Future, comes with a friendly tagline, Let's Go Bloom, which captures the welcoming, optimistic spirit of the event. The official mascot is a character named Tunku Tunku.

The Venue and Its Five Villages

The expo is planned for the former Kamiseya Communication Facility in Yokohama City, in Kanagawa Prefecture. The site covers about 100 hectares, with roughly 80 hectares forming the main event area, which makes it large enough to feel like a landscape rather than a single exhibition hall. Visitors are expected to reach it by shuttle bus from nearby train stations. Because of the size, comfortable walking shoes will be one of the most important items on your packing list.

Within the grounds, the plans describe five themed areas called villages. Urban GX showcases green technology from companies in fields such as telecommunications and construction. Craft highlights traditional Japanese craftsmanship, while Farm and Food explores well-being through agriculture and eating. The Kids village is designed for children to learn about nature, and Satoyama celebrates the traditional way of living in harmony with the countryside. Alongside these, themed pavilions and a horticultural pavilion are planned as places to learn and enjoy.

Flowers, Gardens and a Changing Calendar

The heart of the expo is the planting. Organizers plan about ten million flowers and other plants that bloom from spring through autumn, and displays are designed to change across the six-month run, following the traditional Japanese calendar of twenty-four solar terms and seventy-two micro-seasons. These are old ways of dividing the year into very small seasonal steps, so in practice they mean that something new is always coming into bloom. A visit in spring will therefore feel quite different from a visit in summer or autumn.

At the start of the event, about 600 cherry trees of roughly 40 varieties are expected to be in bloom, a welcome for the early visitors. The Japan Pavilion, known as Nihon Seifu-en, is planned as a garden designed by the Japanese government, drawing on traditional gardening and sustainable agriculture. Exhibits and experiences from domestic and international participants are also expected. Since all of this is planned, treat it as an outline and look for updates as the opening approaches.

Planning Your Visit

According to the official site, tickets and visit-date reservations are handled through the official ticket site, and shuttle bus and parking reservations are made separately. This suggests that advance planning will matter, especially for popular days. Check the official ticket site for current prices and categories rather than relying on unofficial listings. Be careful to buy only from the official ticket site, to avoid misunderstandings and resale problems.

Access is planned by shuttle bus. Services are described as running from Seya and Mitsukyo stations on the Sotetsu Main Line, Tokaichiba Station on the JR line, and Minami-machida Grandberry Park Station on the Tokyu line. Since the venue is big, give yourself a full day, and consider an early start to enjoy the cooler hours. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and a light rain jacket, since the run covers warm summer months and changeable weather. Check the official accessibility information if anyone in your group needs special assistance.

It also helps to think about your trip as a whole. Yokohama is part of the greater Tokyo region, so many visitors will likely combine the expo with time in the city and neighboring areas. If you want to see the spring cherry blossoms in the grounds, plan early in the run, while summer visitors may prefer to spend late afternoon and evening outdoors. Travelers interested in gardening may enjoy taking notes on plant combinations for their own balconies and yards.

Quick Takeaways

GREEN x EXPO 2027 is a top-category international horticultural expo planned for Yokohama, with a six-month run from spring to early autumn of 2027. Its theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness, and the plans feature ten million flowers, five themed villages, a government-designed Japan Pavilion and participation from about 70 countries and organizations. The venue is the former Kamiseya Communication Facility, with shuttle buses planned from several nearby stations.

Keep an eye on the official site, buy tickets only through official channels, and plan for plenty of walking. As the opening approaches, details may be updated, so confirm everything before you go. It promises to be a bright, welcoming celebration of nature, and a wonderful reason to visit Yokohama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will GREEN x EXPO 2027 be held?

It is planned for the former Kamiseya Communication Facility in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The site covers about 100 hectares, with roughly 80 hectares forming the main event area. Check the official website for the latest updates before you plan your trip.

How will visitors get to the expo?

As of autumn 2026, shuttle buses are planned from Seya and Mitsukyo stations on the Sotetsu Main Line, Tokaichiba Station on the JR line, and Minami-machida Grandberry Park Station on the Tokyu line. Shuttle bus and parking reservations are handled separately from tickets, so check the official site.

What will visitors see at the expo?

Plans include about ten million flowers and plants, five themed villages called Urban GX, Craft, Farm and Food, Kids and Satoyama, and a government-designed Japan Pavilion garden. About 70 countries and organizations are planned to take part.

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