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5 Japanese Flower Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss

In no other country in the world have we seen such dedication to appreciating the beauty of the changing of the seasons. Acknowledging the arrival of new flowering blooms in Japan is not just a fleeting nod to Mother Nature as we pass by random bursts of colour en route to work or school; but a cause for real celebration.

Appreciating flowers is a genuine pastime in Japan. So much so, that the Japanese even have a term for it: hanasanpo, which literally means ‘flower walk,’ to describe the activity of admiring and walking in amongst seasonal blooms.

These ‘flower walks’ usually take place at set locations that have been primped and primed for months prior to provide the ultimate setting for taking in seasonal beauty. The concept is quite simple really, but, boy, does it have impact. You see, the Japanese take one flower variety and then literally plant thousands and thousands of them in the one place to create huge carpets of flowering colour. Suddenly flowers that one would describe as pretty, yes, but are otherwise average garden plants in that random pot you have in the backyard, become jaw-dropping displays worth paying for.

Special festivals are often put on in celebration where you can buy food and drinks, as well as ice cream served in the same “flavour” as the flower on show. The bigger ones will even have a range of specialised souvenirs to commemorate your visit.

So what we’re trying is say is that flower festivals in Japan are big! Why not join in on one on your next visit?

Here are five flowers you shouldn’t miss:

1. Nemophila (Baby Blue Eyes)

This lovely pale blue and white flower almost has a whimsical feel to it when blanketing the rolling hills at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki. With the near constant tolling of the bell upon the hilltop, one will have to try to contain any Julie Andrews’ type tendencies. With the sea to one side and the expanses of the large park on the other, it’s quite the sight to behold.

Flowering period: April-May

Nemophila, Baby Blue EyesNemophila, Baby Blue Eyes

2. Shibazakura (Moss phlox)

I know, who wants to catch moss phlox, right? But trust me, the only thing contagious at shibazakura festivals is the smile you’ll be wearing from ear to ear. Another pretty little thing, it comes in a variety of colours including white, blue/purple and various shades of pink. It’s usually planted in bold colour coordinated patterns providing striking picture-taking opportunities. The most famous shibazakura festival takes place in Yamanashi Prefecture with glorious views of Mt. Fuji in the background, while the shibazakura festival in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture (pictured below) is also a top-viewing spot! More details on shibazakura festivals here.

Flowering period: March-June

Shibazakura, Moss PhloxShibazakura, Moss Phlox

3. Fuji (Wisteria)

The hanging wisteria flower provides a whole different hanasanpo experience. With packed trellises of low-hanging blooms, making your way through this ethereal display is nothing short of magical. Throw in some well-placed lighting and background music at evening festivals and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a whole new world.

Popular places to enjoy wisteria are Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi and Kawachi Fujien in Fukuoka.

Flowering period: April-May

Fuji, WisteriaFuji, Wisteria

4. Manjushage (Spider lilies)

These scarlet blooms go minimal on the bottom so they can go all-out on the top. A large flower with intricate details, the spider lily is often found near river environments, where their poisonous bulb is used as natural pest control for surrounding rice fields. Manjushage’s bold hue provides the ultimate splash of colour to the forest floor and the shady canopy of the treetops a whole different feel to your flower walk. Despite looking lovely in a bunch, the red spider lily actually has an association with death in Japanese culture and is often used at funerals, so be sure never to give a bouquet of them as a gift!

One of the most popular spots to enjoy manjushage is in Koma, Saitama Prefecture. Watch a video of this gorgeous location on our YouTube channel here.

Flowering period: September-October

Manjushage, Red Spider LilyManjushage, Red Spider Lily

5. Sakura (Cherry blossoms)

Of course, no list of flowers not to be missed in Japan would be complete without the country’s most celebrated bloom. With its extremely short flowering period (usually around a week, sometimes longer if the weather gods play nice) and its peak lasting just a couple of days, the cherry blossoms are not only an indicator that spring is on its way, but are representative of the fleeting nature of life itself. Cherry trees are planted in parks and gardens throughout the country and the most popular way to enjoy the cherry blossoms is by having a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party beneath the branches. Usually accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol, hanami is a time to let down one’s hair and embrace the festive atmosphere that the first sunny days of the year bring.

Click here for a list of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

Flowering period: March-May

Sakura, Cherry BlossomsSakura, Cherry Blossoms

Blooming times in this post are intended as a rough guide only. Flowering periods differ depending on location and the weather from year to year, and peak periods can come and go quickly. We encourage you to research the location and time you plan to visit for current peak bloom predictions.

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Wednesday 27th of January 2016

[…] This lovely pale blue and white flower almost has a whimsical feel to it when blanketing the rolling hills at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki. With the near constant tolling of the bell upon the hilltop, one will have to try to contain any Julie Andrews’ type tendencies. With the sea to one side and the expanses of the large park on the other, it’s quite the sight to behold. Read more…… […]

Ada Wilkinson

Thursday 28th of May 2015

Hi Jessica!

I've bookmarked this post for my future reference! I should have gone to the Shibazakura in Chichibu as the Shibazakura in Mt. Fuji didn't turn out quite good this year.

On the flip side, I think the Flower Festival in Showa Kinen Park deserves a spot in your list too ;-) (I think you've been there too!) Anyways, I have blogged some photos and I hope it's okay to share it with you: http://www.travelinboots.com/japan/tokyo/showa-kinen-park/

Ada

Khalifa Shaik

Thursday 30th of November 2017

Its really amazing and I appreciate the Japanese having a colorful flowers history

Jessica - Notes of Nomads

Saturday 30th of May 2015

Hi Ada!

We have been to Showa Kinen Koen, but never during the tulip festival. We'll definitely have to check that one out! Looks like a lot of fun. Those 'Queen of the Night' tulips look like the ones I had for my wedding bouquet! :)

Stephanie

Tuesday 26th of May 2015

It's truly amazing the kinds of flowers all around Japan. Have you found another place yet in the world that does gardens quite like Japan? I'd love to know!

Jessica - Notes of Nomads

Saturday 30th of May 2015

Haven't yet! Japan really knows how to put on a show!

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