Visitor numbers exceeded 3 million for the first time in fiscal year 2025, and the gardenhas continued to set new annual visitor records each year from fiscal years 2023 through2025. It is estimated that approximately half of all visitors are inbound international tourists.In response to this growth and increasing visitor diversity, the garden must addressoperational challenges, including:<\/p>\n
\u30fbImproving the smoothness of the admission process
\n\u30fbExpanding payment options
\n\u30fbReducing waiting times at ticket vending machines
\n\u30fbStreamlining cash-handling operations
\n\u30fbReducing the burden of serving overseas visitors<\/p>\n
To this end, in addition to the current tap-to-enter system using transportation IC card farededuction terminals installed at the entrance gates, the garden will begin a pilot programtoward the full-scale implementation of \u201cstera transit\u201d (commonly known as the”Credit Card Ride” service), a public transportation solution provided by<Mitsui Sumitomo Card Co., Ltd.>.<\/p>\n
This pilot program represents the first case in Japan where this service is introducedoutside the transportation industry.<\/strong><\/p>\n Through this service, visitors will be able to enter the garden simply by tapping theircontactless payment-enabled credit card or other compatible payment device on a dedicatedterminal installed at the entrance gate. This eliminates the need to purchase transportationIC cards, add prepaid value, or buy admission tickets in advance.<\/p>\n As a result, not only domestic visitors but also overseas tourists who do not possessJapanese transportation IC cards will be able to enter easily using the same payment methodsthey already use for everyday shopping and transportation.<\/p>\n The pilot program will also explore the potential for visitor usage analysis based oncontactless payment data. Through this trial, the garden aims to improve visitor convenienceand enhance the efficiency of the admission process.<\/p>\n -Start Date, Eligible Gates, and Other Details \u25cbStart Date and Time<\/span> \u25cbEligible Gates<\/span> \u30fbShinjuku Gate \u25cbAccepted Payment Brand<\/span> \u25cbApplicable Admission Fee<\/span> Depending on the results of the pilot program, expansion of eligible gates,additional payment brands, and eligibility for students (high school age and above)and visitors aged 65 and over (\u00a5250 admission fee) may be considered.<\/p>\n -Roles of Participating Organizations<\/p>\n \u25cbShinjuku Gyoen National Garden Office<\/span> \u25cbTakamizawa Cybernetics Co., Ltd.<\/span> \u25cbQUADRAC Co., Ltd.<\/span> \u25cbMitsui Sumitomo Card Co., Ltd.<\/span>
\n\u25cbAdmission Method<\/span>
\nVisitors can enter directly by tapping a contactless payment-enabled card(credit, debit, or prepaid) or a smartphone\/device configured with such a cardon the designated terminal at the entrance gate.<\/p>\n
\n9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2026<\/p>\n
\nGate No. 1 only at each entrance:<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbOkido Gate
\n\u30fbSendagaya Gate<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbVisa only<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbGeneral admission only: \u00a5500<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbOverall project management and coordination<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbInstallation of contactless credit card payment terminals at entrance facilities
\n\u30fbRelated system modifications and upgrades<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbProvision of the SaaS-based payment and authentication platform \u201cQ-move\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u30fbSupport for introducing cashless payment systems
\n\u30fbProvision of the stera platform (stera transit)
\n\u30fbSolutions and promotional activities related to Visa contactless payments<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fng.or.jp\/shinjuku\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260806n02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden will launch a pilot program enabling ticketless entrythrough contactless credit…