Visit to the Japanese Garden of the Japanese Cultural Institute, November 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2026

In short. The Japanese Cultural Institute (Via Antonio Gramsci 74, 00197 Rome) opens its garden for free-form 25-minute visits every Thursday and Friday from October 22 to November 30, 2026.

Illustrazione ad acquerello generata con intelligenza artificiale

Illustrazione generata con intelligenza artificiale: non è una fotografia di Istituto Giapponese di Cultura né dell'evento.

The Japanese Cultural Institute (Via Antonio Gramsci 74, 00197 Rome) opens its garden for free-form 25-minute visits every Thursday and Friday from October 22 to November 30, 2026. The dates within the window are November 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27; booking is done online.

Japanese: watercolor illustration of a historic hall with arched windows, chandeliers and chairs, audience seen from behind — AI-generated illustration: not a photograph of Istituto Giapponese di Cultura or of the event.

Updated November 6, 2026.

The event

The garden was created by architect Nakajima Ken, who was also responsible for the Japanese area project at Rome's Botanical Garden, on land granted by the City of Rome under diplomatic agreements. It is the first garden made in Italy by a Japanese landscape designer.

It contains all the essential elements of the sen'en-style garden, the pond garden: pond, waterfall, rocks, bridges and lanterns, with iconic plants such as cherry, wisteria, iris, camellias, magnolias, maples and dwarf pines.

The sen'en style was refined through the Heian, Muromachi (14th to 16th century) and Momoyama (late 16th century) periods; the garden's elements give visitors more or less obvious information about the ethics and aesthetics of Japan across the ages.

Where it takes place: Istituto Giapponese di Cultura

The Japanese Cultural Institute stands on Via Antonio Gramsci, in the Valle Giulia district. The Japanese Cultural Institute page covers the institute. Not far away are the Villa Giulia Etruscan Museum and the Galleria Nazionale.

Practical information

Dates: Thursdays and Fridays, November 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2026 (visits run from October 22 to November 30).
Venue: Japanese Cultural Institute, Via Antonio Gramsci 74, 00197 Rome.
Duration: 25 minutes of free-form visit; online booking.
Contacts: 06 3224754; info_roma@jpf.go.jp.
Getting there: use the ATAC route planner.