GREEN EXPO 2027 Guide: Dates, Tickets & What to Expect
GREEN EXPO 2027 guide: dates (Mar–Sep 2027), confirmed ticket prices, venue, and planning tips for Yokohama's international horticultural expo.
This GREEN EXPO 2027 guide covers dates, confirmed ticket prices, shuttle buses, parking, and the booking order you need to follow. GREEN×EXPO 2027 runs from 19 March to 26 September 2027 at the former Kamiseya Communications Facility in Yokohama — 192 days, 100 hectares, and Japan's first A1-class horticultural exposition since 1990. Entry requires a timed-entry reservation on top of your advance ticket (from ¥4,900 adult); both the reservation system and shuttle booking open on 18 September 2026 — they are separate systems, so book entry first, then transport.
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What GREEN×EXPO 2027 Is — and Why Gardeners Care
GREEN×EXPO 2027 is the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition, officially titled "The World Horticultural Exhibition YOKOHAMA 2027." It runs from 19 March to 26 September 2027 — 192 days — at the former Kamiseya Communications Facility in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness.
For anyone serious about horticulture, the scale matters: this is Japan's first A1-class international exposition since the International Garden and Greenery Exposition in Osaka in 1990 — 37 years ago. The A1 designation is the highest category issued by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), reserved for events of global scope. Around 70 countries and international organisations are expected to participate, with 15 million visitors anticipated over the run.
If you've been tracking horticultural expos and wondering whether to book Japan, the short answer is: this is the one.
Dates and Season: When to Go
The expo opens 19 March 2027 and closes 26 September 2027. That means two clearly distinct peaks:
- Spring (late March to May): Cherry blossoms at the venue overlap with the opening weeks. Japan's peak travel season — book early, expect crowds, and note that this is when Japan's accommodation fills fastest.
- Autumn (September): Cooler temperatures and autumn foliage in the closing weeks. A strong second window for those who missed spring.
- Summer (June to August): Yokohama summers are humid and warm. The expo will be open, but the heat is a real factor for a 100-hectare outdoor site. Plan for early starts, shade, and hydration.
For first-timers, late April or early May (after Golden Week) or early September offer the best weather-and-crowd balance. Large expos typically see lighter attendance in their opening weeks — book accommodation early to lock in spring dates before Shin-Yokohama fills up.
Where the Venue Is — and the Key Practical Implication
The venue is the former Kamiseya Communications Facility, a 242-hectare site in Yokohama's Asahi and Seya Wards that was previously a U.S. military installation. Years of restricted access have left the land in an unusually natural state — farmland, grassland, river headwaters, and valley terrain across roughly 100 hectares of the actual expo footprint.
The key practical implication: there are almost no hotels anywhere near the venue. The former military site and surrounding Seya Ward are suburban and residential. You won't find anything like a hotel district within walking distance. This isn't a reason to worry — it's just the piece of information that shapes every other decision in your planning. You'll pick a base 20–40 minutes away by train and commute in. The full base-choice guide walks through all four options (Shin-Yokohama, Machida, Yokohama Station, or Tokyo via through-service) with specific hotel recommendations.
Shuttle buses to the venue are confirmed (announced 17 July 2026) from four stations: Seya and Mitsukyo (Sotetsu Main Line), Tokaichiba (JR Yokohama Line), and Minami-machida Grandberry Park (Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line). Journey times run 10–25 minutes. Shuttle booking opens 18 September 2026 via a separate system from entry reservations. Check expo2027yokohama.or.jp for the booking link once live.
Tickets: What's Confirmed and What to Watch
Ticket sales began on 19 March 2026 — exactly one year before the opening. Here is what is officially confirmed as of July 2026:
| Ticket type | Adult (18+) | Youth (12–17) | Child (4–11) | Child (0–3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-day advance ticket | ¥4,900 | ¥3,000 | ¥1,400 | Free |
| One-day door ticket (during expo) | ¥5,500 | ¥3,300 | ¥1,500 | Free |
| Season pass | ¥28,000 | ¥16,000 | ¥6,500 | Free |
| Summer pass (1 Jul–31 Aug 2027) | ¥12,000 | ¥7,000 | ¥3,000 | Free |
All prices are per person. Prices are confirmed from official sources as of July 2026 and may change; verify current pricing at expo2027yokohama.or.jp/en/tickets-index/.
Purchasing a ticket is only the first step. The expo operates a date and time reservation system: your advance ticket purchase must be paired with a timed-entry slot reservation. The reservation system opens on 18 September 2026 (announced 17 July 2026 by the expo association) — six months before opening day. This is when the booking rush for cherry-blossom-season dates in late March and April 2027 will begin. We will update this guide with the direct reservation link once the system goes live.
The practical takeaway: buy an advance ticket now to lock in the ¥4,900 adult price. Set a reminder for 18 September 2026 to reserve your entry time slot.
Shuttle Buses: Fares, Booking, and the Four Stations
Shuttle buses are confirmed between four stations and the expo venue, with booking opening 18 September 2026 — the same day as timed-entry reservations but through a separate system. Book your entry slot first, then your shuttle; the association's site will guide you from one to the other.
- Seya Station (Sotetsu Main Line) — approximately 2 km from the venue, roughly 10 min
- Mitsukyo Station (Sotetsu Main Line) — approximately 4 km, roughly 15 min
- Minami-machida Grandberry Park Station (Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line) — approximately 4 km, roughly 15 min
- Tokaichiba Station (JR Yokohama Line) — approximately 6 km, roughly 25 min
Shuttle fare (one way, confirmed as of July 2026): ¥200 for adults, ¥100 for children aged 1–11. Disability discount: ¥100 adult / ¥50 child. You must book the outbound and return journeys separately. On peak days the shuttles are planned to carry up to 44,000 passengers — about 42% of projected daily attendance.
Driving and Parking: Confirmed Details
Driving to GREEN×EXPO 2027 is possible but not the easy option. Seya Ward's local roads are narrow and will face real congestion on busy expo days — the highways may flow but the last few kilometres will not. Public transport is the recommended approach for most visitors.
That said, the expo association has confirmed parking details (announced 17 July 2026):
- Two car parks (north and west sides of the venue), total approximately 6,200 spaces
- Weekday rate: ¥5,000
- Weekends, public holidays, and busy-season dates: ¥7,000. Busy season is Golden Week plus the weekend/holiday dates in September — 19 days in total
- Parking is also reservation-only; booking opens 18 September 2026 through a separate system from both entry reservations and shuttle reservations
- Peak-day car arrivals are expected to reach 32,000 — plan accordingly
Park-and-ride (busy season only): ¥3,000 per car including the shuttle. Three sites — Sagamiono multi-storey car park (approx. 8 km), AEON Mall Yamato, and Ito-Yokado Yamato Tsuruma (approx. 4 km) — total around 700 spaces. Drivers from Tokyo should expect to use the Yokohama-Machida IC (Tomei Expressway); the association plans signage to spread traffic. Direct buses from Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are under consideration as of July 2026 — we will update this guide when confirmed.
How Planning Maps to Booking: The Right Order of Operations
For GREEN×EXPO 2027, there are more separate booking steps than a typical expo — follow this order:
- Decide your base — Shin-Yokohama for most visitors; Machida for families; Yokohama Station/Minato Mirai only if combining with Yokohama sightseeing; Tokyo (Shibuya, Meguro, Shinjuku) for a Tokyo-hub strategy. See the base-choice guide.
- Book accommodation — spring dates (late March–May 2027) fall inside Japan's peak season. Shin-Yokohama options include the Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Yokohama Station (reopening December 2026), Shin-Yokohama Prince, and Shin-Yokohama Kokusai Hotel. These fill during high season.
- Book flights and transport — shinkansen Tokyo–Shin-Yokohama (approx. ¥1,380 unreserved / ¥2,800–¥3,010 reserved) also sell out for Golden Week.
- Buy your advance ticket — at ticket.expo2027yokohama.or.jp/en/. Advance price saves ¥600 per adult versus the door price.
- Reserve your timed entry slot — system opens 18 September 2026. Spring dates fill fast.
- Reserve shuttle or parking — separate system, also from 18 September 2026. The association's site guides you from entry booking to transport booking.
As of July 2026 — What's Confirmed and What's Still Pending
Confirmed (announced 17 July 2026 by the expo association): timed-entry reservation system opening 18 September 2026; shuttle buses from Seya, Mitsukyo, Minami-machida Grandberry Park, and Tokaichiba (fares ¥200 / ¥100 adult/child); venue car parks (6,200+ spaces, ¥5,000 weekday / ¥7,000 peak); park-and-ride for busy season (3 sites, ¥3,000 including shuttle).
Still pending as of July 2026: direct buses from Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama stations (under consideration); expo opening hours. This guide will be updated as announcements are made. Check expo2027yokohama.or.jp for the latest.
Where to Base Yourself: Quick Pointer
For the full breakdown — including specific hotel picks, access times, and the family-friendly Machida option — read the Where to Stay for GREEN×EXPO 2027 guide. For how to reach the venue from Tokyo and Haneda Airport, see the access and transport guide.
The short version of the base decision:
| Base | Best for | From ¥ |
|---|---|---|
| Shin-Yokohama — e.g. Courtyard by Marriott | Most visitors — Shinkansen access, nearest practical base, good room stock. Take JR Yokohama Line to Tokaichiba for the shuttle | from ¥9,000 (varies by season) |
| Machida — e.g. Rembrandt Hotel Tokyo-Machida | Families — more space, easier pace. Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line to Minami-machida Grandberry Park for the shuttle | from ¥12,000 (varies by season) |
| Yokohama Station / Minato Mirai | Combine with Yokohama sightseeing — adds travel time to the venue | from ¥12,000 (varies by season) |
| Tokyo (Shibuya / Shinjuku) | Tokyo combo trip — Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line from Shibuya direction to Minami-machida Grandberry Park, then shuttle | from ¥10,000 (varies by season) |
All prices are per room per night and vary by season and day of the week. Check rates for your specific dates.
Of the four confirmed shuttle stations (as of July 2026), Minami-machida Grandberry Park and Tokaichiba are the most useful anchors for accommodation planning — they connect the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and JR Yokohama Line to the venue, covering the two main traveller corridors from Tokyo and Shin-Yokohama respectively (checked July 2026).
Went to (or skipped) Osaka 2025? Our GREEN EXPO 2027 vs Expo 2025 Osaka comparison breaks down what carries over — and what will feel completely different.
Trip Essentials for Yokohama
Things worth booking before you land, all in English:
- eSIM — Airalo's Japan eSIM: install it at home and data works as soon as you switch off airplane mode at Haneda. Comparing providers? See our Japan eSIM guide.
- Airport transfer — Welcome Pickups runs fixed-price door-to-door pickups from Haneda; Klook sells the airport bus and train tickets if you'd rather ride.
- Luggage storage — arriving before check-in? Radical Storage takes bags at shops near Yokohama Station for a flat daily rate.
- Tickets and day trips — Klook covers Yokohama attractions and Tokyo day-trip tickets; booking ahead skips the ticket-window line.
The full GREEN×EXPO 2027 planner
This guide is the free version. If you want the whole trip decided — the dated-entry ticket system explained step by step, the 19 peak days to avoid, where to stay compared honestly, the counter-flow train trick that gets you a seat, shuttles and parking, and how to survive a Japanese August at an open-air venue — that is The GREEN×EXPO 2027 Yokohama Planner (10 chapters, from US$9.99, with a mobile version and a cost worksheet). One date decides the rest: 18 September 2026, when entry-time, shuttle and parking reservations all open. Buy once and every update until the Expo closes is free.
FAQ: GREEN×EXPO 2027 Tickets, Shuttles, and Planning
Do I need to reserve the shuttle bus separately from my ticket?
Yes. Entry tickets, timed-entry slot reservations, and shuttle bus reservations are all separate steps in separate systems. The expo association advises completing your entry reservation first, then moving to the shuttle booking. All three reservation systems open on 18 September 2026. Shuttle fares are ¥200 one way for adults, ¥100 for children aged 1–11.
Can I change my reserved date and time?
Yes, up to three times. Per the expo association's 17 July 2026 announcement, you can change your timed-entry reservation as many as three times across the expo period. If you cannot attend a reserved slot, you can rebook a later date, and if you miss even your third rescheduled slot, you can still enter on the day itself when same-day reservation slots are available. The reservation itself is free, and only the ticket is paid.
Is GREEN×EXPO 2027 worth visiting?
If you have any interest in horticulture, landscape design, or large-scale garden exhibitions, yes. A1-class horticultural expos happen rarely — the last one in Japan was 37 years ago in Osaka. The 100-hectare scale means the experience is substantively different from a local garden show.
How long should I spend at the expo?
Most visitors plan for a full day (6–8 hours on site). The venue footprint is large enough that a half-day visit won't cover most of it. If you're particularly interested in international pavilions, add a second day.
Is it suitable for children?
Children under 4 enter free. The outdoor, green-focused environment is generally easier for kids than museum-style expos. That said, it's a large walking site, so strollers or carrying capacity are worth thinking through. For the family planning angle — where to stay, what to pack, and the least stressful routing — see the GREEN×EXPO 2027 with kids guide.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Door tickets (¥5,500 for adults) will be sold during the expo period. Given the timed-entry reservation system, walk-up entry on peak dates may be limited. Advance purchase at ¥4,900 is both cheaper and more reliable, especially for spring dates.
Information audit: Last fact-checked July 2026 · Prices checked July 2026 (all rates are "from" floors that vary by season) · Shuttle fares, parking rates, and reservation dates reflect the expo association announcement of 17 July 2026 · How this guide was researched: hotel facilities, prices and access details are verified against official and primary sources; we have not personally stayed at every property listed. The author commuted to work in Yokohama for many years · How this site verifies information: About NipponStays.
