Japanese Flower Seasons

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Japan is not only famous for its futuristic cities but also its natural beauty. Every year, hundreds of Flower Festivals are held throughout the country. The most celebrated flower is the Cherry “Sakura” Flower. However, that only takes place in March and April. Fortunately, there are many other kinds of flowers that bloom in all four seasons in Japan, and here is a complete guide to Japanese Flower Seasons.

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Spring

Plum Flower

Late February ~ Early March

Many people always associate the Cherry Blossom with Spring in Japan. This is actually not exactly the case. In fact, the Plum Blossom is a more accurate representation of the Japanese early spring. The first blooming of a Plum tree signals the end of the Winter and coming of the Spring. In early Spring, there are many Matsuris (Festivals) dedicated to this particular flower.

You can attend Plum Blossom Festivals at:

“Tenjingu”; “Kyoto Kitano Tengu Shrine”; “Yutotengu Shrine”; “Yusu Tengu Shrine”; “Susui Yuen”; and “Atami Plum Garden”

Cherry Flower

Mid-March ~ Early April

Every year in January and February, people all over Japan participate in the estimation of when the Sakura will bloom. Usually, they are set to bloom between March and April. The few days when the Cherry Blossom peaks are the busiest and most beautiful time of the year. Many Japanese people take out their Bento and drinks to the park, sit and enjoy the beautiful pink sea of cherry flowers.

Best Places to see Cherry Blossom are: Ueno Park; Shinjuku Goen Park; Yoyogi Park

 

Japanese Wisteria

Late April ~ Early May

The Purple Japanese Wisteria reach their full bloom between late April and Early May. It is a magical kind of experience to see this purple waterfall-like flowers all over the park. The most famous park to see Japanese Wisteria is at the Ashikaga Flower Park (90 minutes away from Tokyo). On average the trees in this park are over 150 years old and they even bloom in rarer colors such as red and yellow.

 

Summer

 

Sunflowers

July ~ August

Sunflowers reach their peak size between July to August. They represent Mid-Summer, and they can be seen in most fields in the countryside.

In the Kanton Region, the largest sunflower fields are in “Akeno Sunflower Field”;  “Kiyose City”; “Sakura Furusato Square”

 

Hydrangeas

Mid-June ~ Mid-July

Hydrangeas are the symbol of the Japanese Tsuyu Season, and they bloom only after the rain. Depending on the acid level of the soil, they bloom in different colors—blue, purple, pink, etc. There are a countless number of types of Hydrangeas that one can encounter in Japan.

Best Places to see Hydrangeas near Tokyo are:

“Hakusan Shrine” “Asukayama Park” “Kamakura Hasedera Temple”.

Lavender

Mid-July ~ August

Lavenders in Japan are not any less impressive than the one in Provance. In fact, Northern Japan is one of the most suitable places for lavenders to grow. The place with most lavender fields in Japan is Furano in Hokkaido. However, you can also enjoy the romantic aroma of the lavender fields in “Tambara Park” and “Lake Kawaguchi” 

 

Autumn

Garden Cosmos

Late August ~ October

Garden Cosmos bloom in early autumn. Just like the Plum Flowers to the Spring, the blooming of Garden Cosmos represents the beginning of the Fall.

The flowers can be seen in most regions of Japan. The best places to see them are:

“Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park”; “Sakura Furusato Square”; “Showa Memorial Park”; “Kurihama Flower Park”

 

Red spider lily

Late September ~ October

Red Spider Lilies are holy flowers of Buddhism. Legend has it that they are flowers of the heaven that has outgrown to the land of the men. They grow along the rivers and the best place to see them is in Hidaka especially during the Manjushage Matsuri (Festival) that is held annually in late September.

 

Chrysanthemum

September ~ November

Symbol of the Japanese Royal Family, the Chrysanthemum is possibly the most revered flower in Japan. Every year during its blooming season, hundred of Chrysanthemum viewing festivals are hosted throughout the country. And flower growers would compete for the title for the most beautiful Chrysanthemum flowers in Japan. Chrysanthemum flowers can be found in most shrines across the country from September through November. The top place to see them is at the Shinjuku Goen Park where the two-hundred-year-long tradition of Chrysanthemum flower viewing is still very much alive.

 

Winter

Japanese Narcissus

December ~ January

There are not that many types of flowers that bloom in the winter. However, the Japanese Narcissus is one that does. These flowers usually are grown in southern Japan near the ocean. The best place to see them near Tokyo is in Jōgashima Park. More than 500,000 Narciuss flower bloom there every winter. 

 

Moutan Peony

November ~ February

Another kind of flowers that bloom in the Japanese Winter is the Moutan Peony. There are two types of the Moutan Peony: One that blooms in the coldest time of the winter “寒牡丹” and the other that bloom right before Spring “冬牡丹”. The nearest place to see a Peony Matsuri is in Hamarikyu Gardens and in Ueno Tōshō-gū.