Cherry blossoms, or sakura, have become Japan’s unofficial flower known by many foreign travelers. The majority of tourists visiting the country often dedicate several hours of their trip to view these lovely flowers at the most popular cherry blossom destinations to take at least one photo they can share on Flickr. However, Japan actually has a lot more to offer other than sakura trees. There are many other equally stunning flower types within the country that can be viewed at different flower fields spread across Japan including Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Flower Types and Blooming Periods in Japan
Along with animals, gods, and historical figures, seasons are another point of focus used for many of Japan’s cultural art forms. The country’s natural beauty provides a clear reflection of time, changing colors throughout the year. Witnessing such a view is comparable to seeing an artist’s work come to life.
Japan is home to numerous types of flowers that bloom at different periods, given the country’s area that stretches from north to south for about 3,500 km. As such, it is recommended that tourists initially research about a particular destination’s details to avoid wasting valuable time. Generally, though, a rough guide for blooming periods of the most by flowers in Japan is as follows:
- Ume (Plum Blossoms)
In Tokyo, these flowers are usually in full bloom by the 3rd week of February until the end of March. - Tulips
In Tonami, Toyama, these flowers are usually in full bloom by the 4th week of April until the 2nd week of May. - Shibazakura (Pink Moss)
In Fujigoko, these flowers are usually in full bloom by the 3rd week of April to the 3rd week of May - Fuji (Wisteria)
In Tokyo, these flowers are usually in full bloom by the 4th week of April until the 2nd week of May. - Bara (Roses)
In Tokyo, these flowers are usually in full bloom throughout the month of May. - Ajisai (Hydrangea)
In Kamakura, Hakone, these flowers are usually in full bloom from the 3rd week of June until the 3rd week of July. - Hanashobu (Irises)
In Tokyo, these flowers are usually in full bloom throughout the month of June. - Himawari (Sunflowers)
In Hokkaido, these flowers are usually in full bloom from the start of July until the 2nd week of August. - Lavender
In Hokkaido, these flowers are usually in full bloom by the 3rd week of July until the 2nd week of August.
Field of Lavender Flowers in Japan
Furano Flower Fields
Furano Flower Fields is located on the island of Hokkaido. It is famous for its abundance of lavender flowers and sunflowers but also houses other types of flowers including poppies, lilies, and lupins. The lavender fields are flocked by a lot of visitors during the summer (June – August) when the flowers are in full bloom.
Farm Tomita, Lavender East, and Flower Land Kamifurano are among the best farms to view the lavender flowers of Furano. These places offer bus rides around the fields, several cafes and shops, and observation decks for tourists.
Biei
Biei is a quaint little town situated in Hokkaido. The area provides a picturesque landscape consisting of wide fields and rolling hills. The best ways to fully maximize one’s trip to Biei include driving or cycling through its scenic areas called Patchwork Road and Panorama Road.
Patchwork Road is located northwest of the heart of Biei and offers rural landscapes that are particularly vivid during the summer and autumn months. For those who cannot travel to the country during those seasons, the place is just as stunning in winter, with the whole area being covered in a blanket of snow.
Panorama Road is located opposite of Patchwork Road. Aside from providing the same rural beauty as the other area, several flower fields may also be enjoyed by tourists at the flower park called Shikisai Hill. There are golf carts and wagon rides available for visitors who want to roam around the fields without walking.
Tambara Flower Park
Tambara Flower Park is situated in the Gunma Prefecture and houses more than 50,000 lavender bushes that create a spectacular sea of purple during the summer. The area’s popularity is not limited to the blooming period of its flowers, as the park also serves as a ski resort, come the winter season.
Field of Blue Flowers (Nemophila) in Japan
Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a 350-hectare park located in the Ibaraki Prefecture. Its iconic flower is the blue nemophila, which is in full bloom from April to May. The blue flowers are planted across Miharashi Hill and seem to mimic the sky during spring.
The park’s other flowers make it a great place to visit any time of the year. During the fall season, green kokia bushes, that gradually turn red as the climate cools, become the main attraction of the park. By autumn, brilliant shades of orange and yellow dominate the area.
Given the large area of the park, tourists may also enjoy other features such as restaurants, cycling trails, and walking trails. There is even a small amusement park complete with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster situated within the vicinity.
Field of Shibazakura (Pink Moss) Flowers in Japan
Chichibu Hitsujiyama Park
Chichibu Hitsujiyama Park is located in the Saitama Prefecture. The park is abundant in the shibazakura flower, having nearly 10 different colors and variants of it. Its flower fields are far from ordinary, as its flowers have been planted strategically to create spectacular designs. Combined with a view of Mount Buko, the place provides an absolutely breathtaking landscape of rural Japan.
Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri
Fuji Shibazaura Matsuri is a popular festival held in the Fuji Five Lakes area, just 3 km south of Lake Motosuko. It happens from April until June, when around 800,000 shibazakura flowers are in full bloom, creating a field of white, purple, and pink. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen in the backdrop.
Field of Fuji (Wisteria) Flowers in Japan
Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park is located in the Tochigi Prefecture. The park has different kinds of fuji flowers that come in white, pink, yellow, and blue colors. It is particularly famous for housing a colossal 100-year old fuji tree that creates a canopy of blue fuji flowers. Another popular attraction of the park is its tunnel of white fuji flowers that seems to stretch on and on.
The fuji flowers of Ashikaga Flower Park start to bloom at the beginning of May. Since it is among the best places to view fuji flowers, crowds are unavoidable during the peak season. The area is also quite stunning during the night, as the park has recently added several thousands of LED lights to their vicinity.
Kameido Shrine
Kameido Shrine is one of the best places to view purple fuji flowers in Tokyo. The flowers, which start to bloom by the 4th week of April, dangle over a still pond, providing visitors with a serene view. It is believed that these flowers date back to the Edo Period and have been visited by several shoguns, over the years.
Field of Ajisai (Hydrangea) Flowers
Meigetsuin Temple
Meigetsuin Temple was established during the year 1160 in Kamakura, Japan. It also goes by the name Ajisaidera, meaning Hydrangea Temple. The temple is filled with ajisai flowers, 95% of which is from the Hime Ajisai variety that comes in lovely shades of blue. The temple also has an inner garden that is abundant in irises.
The period from June to July is the perfect time to see both the ajisai flowers and irises in full bloom. A trip between the months of November and December is also recommended, with vivid autumn colors taking over the temple.
Hase Temple
Hase Temple, also known as Hasedera, is a temple situated on the slopes of a wooded hill in Kamakura, Japan. The entrance of the temple can be found at the foot of the slope. Here, visitors are welcomed by a lovely garden filled with ponds and flowers. Within the garden is a small hall known as Benzaiten, which is dedicated to the goddess of feminine wealth and beauty, Benten.
Hakone Tozan Railway
Hakone Tozan Railway is the oldest mountain railway of Japan. It is not limited to railway enthusiasts, given its tracks that go through dense valleys, flower fields, bridges, and tunnels that all provide various sceneries to riding patrons. From Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, tourists can enjoy a 35-minute ride amidst lovely hydrangea flowers that are in full bloom during the months of June and July. There are also special evening train rides during this period for visitors who want to see an illuminated version of the flowers.
Field of Bara (Rose) Flowers in Japan
Gora Park
Gora Park, or Gora Koen, is a park situated on a slope just above Gora Station. It follows a French theme, featuring a large fountain and a lovely garden of roses. There are also a couple of greenhouses located within the vicinity where tourists can view other types of flowers. Craft activities including glass etching, dried flower arrangement, pottery, and glass blowing are also offered at the park.
Field of Tulip Flowers in Japan
Tonami Tulip Fair
Tonami Tulip Fair is a festival that takes place in Tonami Tulip Park every year from April to May. Approximately 3,000,000 tulips of different varieties and colors are displayed during this occasion as a celebration of Tonami’s endeavors with the flower since 1918.
Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosh is located in the Nagasaki Prefecture. Following a Dutch theme, the park is filled with tulips, the flower Holland is most famous for, among other seasonal flowers. Aside from viewing flowers, tourists may also enjoy other attractions such as the Dom Tower replica, the Palace Huis Ten Bosch replica, and an amusement park. There are also several hotels within the Dutch-themed city for visitors who want to stay the night.
Field of Hanashobu (Iris) Flowers in Japan
Makino Botanical Garden
Makino botanical Garden is located in the Kochi Prefecture. Aside from housing a greenhouse, it also features several walking paths and flower parks for visitors to view Irises and various types of flowers.
Other Flower Fields to Visit
Gunma Flower Park
Gunma Flower Park is located to the south of Mt. Akagi in the Gunma Prefecture. It is home to a variety of flowers including roses, tulips, and irises. As such, the park is a great spot to visit all year round for viewing flowers. Visitors may also enjoy other facilities such as greenhouses, play areas for children, and a petting zoo within the vicinity.
Boso Flower Line
Boso Flower Line is actually a road that stretches for about 45 km along the Boso Peninsula. There are several flower parks and farms along the road, which mostly house spring flowers such as poppies and rapeseed flowers. Some of the popular places flocked by visitors from January to April include:
- Tateyama Family Park
The Tateyama Family Park has nearly 1,000,000 poppy flowers that bloom from December to May. Tourists can also enjoy flower picking and golf for a few thousands of yen. - Tateyama Aloha Garden
Tateyama Aloha Garden follows a Hawaiian theme. As such, it features various tropical plants cultivated in several greenhouses. The park also has a small zoo which houses sheep, birds, monkeys, capybara, and emus. - Shiramazu Flower Fields
Shiramazu Flower Fields, or Shiramazu Ohanabatake, consists of small farms that cultivate various flowers available for picking and for sale. There are also several flower shops within the vicinity that sell fresh picks of the day.
Nabana no Sato
Nabana no Sato is part of the Nagashima Resort, located just beyond the outskirts of Nagoya, Japan. It has a variety of seasonal flowers that create spectacular sceneries throughout the year. The flower park gets particularly crowded during the spring and winter seasons, when it hosts a flower festival and several winter illuminations, respectively.
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park is a flower park located in Osaka that is popular for having hosted the International Garden and Greenery Exposition back in 1990. As such, it houses numerous gardens from different countries but is well-known for its roses, tulips, and cherry blossoms.
Kuju Flower Park
Kuju Flower Park is situated along the slopes of Mount Kuju in the Oita Prefecture. It houses over 500 types of flowers that come to an estimated total of 3,000,000 blooms, spread across a 49-acre land. Some flowers that tourists can expect to see in the park include pink moss, poppies, lavender, tulips, salvia, and sunflowers.