The seasons are a main theme in the Japanese culture, and flowers are like mirrors to the seasons, reflecting the passage of time. Fittingly, flower viewing is a very popular activity in Japan as most prominently seen in the annual festivities surrounding thecherry blossoms, but not limited to them.
The following chart shows the approximate blooming periods for some of the most popular flowers in Japan. One point to note is that because Japan extends north to south for some 3500 kilometers, a particular flower species might blossom at differing times across regions with varying climate. The chart serves as a rough reference for the country in general. It is recommended to check on details for specific locations before visiting.
Popular types of flowers
Right:Cherry blossoms (sakura) - typically late March to mid April in Tokyo
Right:Pink moss (shibazakura) - typically mid April to mid May in Fujigoko
Right:Wisteria (fuji) - typically late April to early May in Tokyo
Right:Irises (hanashobu) - typically June in Tokyo
Right:Lavender - typically mid July to early August in Hokkaido
Flower related places of interest
There are many places in Japan where various species of flowers can be appreciated at different times of the year. Flower parks and botanical gardens are usually great locations for flower viewing. Sometemples andshrines may also be famous for particular flowers. Below is a list of places which are popular for flower viewing.
See also our pages oncherry blossom,plum blossom andautumn color spots.
Hokkaido
Furano Flower Fields
Known for: Lavender and sunflowers
Theflower fields ofFurano offer a wide variety of flowers from May to October; however, the region is most famous for its lavender which attracts large numbers of visitors every summer, when the plants are in full bloom.
Around Tokyo
Tambara Flower Park
Known for: Lavender
Tambara Flower Park is located inGunma Prefecture. Over 50,000 lavender bushes are planted on the Tambara plateau, creating a spectacular lavender flower park in the summer. The area is a ski resort in the winter.
Gunma Flower Park
Known for: Various flowers
Gunma Flower Park offers an extensive collection of flower varieties which bloom during different seasons, including tulips, irises and roses.
Ashikaga Flower Park
Known for: Wisteria
One of the best places to view wisteria is the Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga City,Tochigi Prefecture. Ashikaga Flower Park features lots of blue, white and pink wisteria, as well as yellow laburnum (Japanese: kingusari) that look like yellow colored wisteria.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Known for: Nemophila and other flowers
The huge park outside ofMito features large fields of flowers during much of the year. Among the most famous displays are the fields of nemophila around late April to mid May and the red kokia bushes around early to mid October.
Chichibu Hitsujiyama Park
Known for: Pink Moss
This park features wide fields of pink moss in almost ten varieties and colors. The flowers are strategically planted to produce delightful designs across the fields. From the northern end of the park, gorgeous views of pink moss with Mount Buko in the backdrop can be seen.
Meigetsuin Temple
Known for: Hydrangea and irises
Meigetsuin is also known as "Ajisaidera", meaning "Hydrangea Temple". This is becausehydrangea bloom in abundance at thetemple during therainy season around June, and they usually attract large numbers of visitors.
Hase Temple
Known for: Hydrangea
Hakone Tozan Railway
Known for: Hydrangea
A ride on theHakone Tozan Railway, Japan's oldest mountain railway, is a treat for more than justrailway fans. The ride is especially beautiful in June and July when thousands ofhydrangea are in bloom along the tracks and are illuminated during the evenings.
Gora Park
Known for: Roses
This is a western style landscape park located inHakone, featuring a large fountain and a rose garden. Visitors can also take part incraft activities such as dried flower arrangement.
Boso Flower Line
Known for: Nanohana, poppies and other early spring flowers
TheBoso Flower Line is a road that follows the southern coast of theBoso Peninsula betweenTateyama and Chikura. Several flower farms and parks are located along the road which are particularly pretty from January to April. Its mild climate, makes the peninsula one of the earliest flower destinations each year.
Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri
Known for: Pink Moss
TheFuji Shibazakura Festival is perhaps the best occasion to see pink moss (shibazakura). Wide fields of lovely shibazakura combine withMount Fuji in the backdrop on clear days to produce breathtaking scenery. Hundreds of thousands of flowers in various colors can be enjoyed at the festival grounds, which is located a short distance south ofMotosuko Lake.
Central Japan
Tonami Tulip Fair
Known for: Tulips
Held in late April and early May, theTonami Tulip Fair is an annual festival held in Tonami City, the country's leading producer of tulip bulbs. It features large fields of tulips of many different varieties.
Nabana no Sato
Known for: Cherry blossoms, roses, tulips, hydrangea, irises
This is a park which provides great views of seasonal flowers throughout the year. Every spring, it hosts a flowerfestival which is claimed to be of the largest scale in Japan. Winter illuminations are held from mid November to early March. Nabana no Sato is part ofNagashima Resort, which features the famous amusement parkNagashima Spaland.
Around Osaka
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Known for: Cherry blossoms, roses, tulips
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park located inOsaka is a great place to viewcherry blossoms. The large park hosted the International Garden and Greenery Exposition in 1990, and features many gardens of various countries.
Shikoku
Makino Botanical Garden
Known for: Irises and various flowers
Makino Botanical Garden inKochi includes extensive walking paths, outdoor parks and a greenhouse. The spacious garden has various flowers on display.
Kyushu
Huis Ten Bosch
Known for: Tulips and roses
Huis Ten Bosch is atheme park inNagasaki Prefecture which recreates a Dutch town. It has an attractive landscape, enhanced by lots of seasonal flowers, especially tulips for which Holland is famous.
Kuju Flower Park
Known for: Various varieties
Kuju Flower Park on the slopes ofMount Kuju is a large, attractive park with large flower fields of about three million plants of more than 500 different varieties.
Flower Park Kagoshima
Known for: Various varieties including tropical flowers
Flower Park Kagoshima is located near the southern tip of theSatsuma Peninsula. It is a large, attractive park with about half a million plants of more than 2400 varieties.
Questions? Ask in ourforum.
