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Springtime in Japan is synonymous with Sakura or Cherry Blossoms. People from all over the world flock to the famous spots where they can see these beautiful trees explode into flowers for a few weeks each year. But there is so much more to Japan’s flowers than just Cherry Blossoms! From the first plum blossoms in March to the tulip fields of May, there is a flower for every occasion and a specific place to experience it.
Toyama
Tonami Tulip Park
The Toyama Prefecture is home to Tonami Tulip Park. Every year from the last week of April to the beginning of May, the town of Tonami is awash with color as millions of tulips bloom. Tulip is the official flower of Toyama Prefecture and the vast fields of flowers are an incredible place to stop and take an Instagram story. The Valley of Flowers and the observation deck are particular favorite spots for pictures.
To get to the area from Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka. From there, you can take a local train. The easiest way to do it with a JR pass is to take the JR Johana Line to Tonami Station and then proceed to the Tulip Park on foot. The walk should take about 15 minutes. There are also taxis and shuttles available for a price.
Fukui
Nishiyama Park
While the park has beautiful cherry blossom trees, there is so much more to explore in Nishiyama Park. In the late-spring, Azaleas are in bloom which means the park is blanketed in pinks and reds. There is also a zoo where you can go and see red pandas!
Nishiyama park is fairly accessible to motorists. It’s right next to a roadside station. It is also about a 15-minute walk from Sabae JR station.
Ibaraki
Suigo Itako Iris Festival
At the end of spring, the irises come out. Japanese irises are unique and beautiful flowers that bloom right before Summer. Every year there is a festival celebrating them. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Itako, Ibaraki for flowers and fun! There is music, dancers, and many other cultural shows to celebrate the end of spring and the start of summer.
Itako Station is on the JR Kashima Line, which runs between Kashima-Jingu Station and Sawara Station. The trip should take about 40 minutes from Narita.
Saitama
Chichibu Hitsujiyama Park
Some parts of the world really are all sunshine and rainbows! With fields blanketed in shades of pink, shibazakura start their bloom in early May, and are laid out to form intricate patterns, composing the perfect swan song to Spring. The park also has patches of plums and tulips, with vendors selling souvenirs to take home.
The best way to get there is through the hour and a half train ride from Ikebukuro to Seibu Chichibu station. From the station, the park is a 20-minute walk away.
Fukuoka
Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
If you are looking for a magical place to take pictures and videos, venture through the enchanting Wisteria tunnels in Fukuoka! These soft-purple and white flowers bloom when April ends, the fields are full of them. With blooms everywhere surrounding the ethereal wisteria dome, The Wisteria Garden is truly a sight to behold.
The garden is a 55-minute walk from Yahata Station, or through taxi as an alternative. Kawachi Fujien is especially popular with tourists during Golden Week, so be sure to plan accordingly!
Spring has Sprung in Japan and all over the country there are flowers sprouting out of the ground and the world is coming out of its hibernation. There is a certain magic to this time of year when the whole world is awash with vibrant colors and tantalizing scents. While Cherry Blossoms are still a big draw, there are so many more flowers to check out!
Don’t miss this incredible time to be in the land of endless discovery! Visit Japan in the spring and see the inspiration behind hundreds of pieces of artwork: the beautiful flowers that come up every spring!
