Top 10 Flower Festivals in Japan

1. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual affair that takes place in Kuwazu to commemorate the flowering of kawazu-sakura. This Japanese flower festival starts in early February and lasts for approximately a month. During this time, millions of tourists from different parts of the world congregate here to witness the blossoming of the variety of cherry trees along the Kawazu River. A short distance from the river stands the original kawazu-sakura tree that is famed for the recognition of sakura trees in the residential district. Take many pictures with these beautiful backgrounds; the experience does not come that often. For those who fancy souvenirs, browse through the numerous festival stalls perched along the walking path as you approach the river.

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Address: Kawazu City

Takes place: February - March

2. Nemophila Flower Festival

Come to Japan this spring for the Nemophila Flower Festival to enjoy spectacular views of the baby blue eyes flowers. The event is held in Hitachi Seaside Park, a 469.5-ac (190-ha) piece of land, which contains different types of seasonal popular Japanese flowers all-year-round. However, the best time to visit is from late April to sometime in May, because that is when the magic happens; during this time, over four million nemophila flowers bloom, transforming the park to an expansive blue ocean. For better views, hike to the neighboring Miharashi Hills from where you will be able to see this unending beauty, which blends perfectly with the blue sky and ocean.

Nemophila Flower Festival

Address: Japan, 〒312-0012 Ibaraki, Hitachinaka, Mawatari, 大沼605-4

Takes place: April - May

3. Kamiyubetsu Tulip Fair

Also held during spring is the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Festival. The fair takes place in Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, which holds over 120 varieties of tulips in a 17.3-ac (7-ha) garden. As they bloom, each type of flower exhibits different shades of color, which transform the field into a spectacular looking rainbow tulip garden. The best time to visit is on a sunny day because that is when the blossoming flowers tend to shine the most. For that reason, you should consult the local weather reports before visiting the tulip park to determine the days when the area will experience sunshine. Also, remember to pack your HD camera to take as many pictures as you can of the beautiful landscape.

Kamiyubetsu Tulip Fair

Address: Kamiyubetsutonden Shigaichi, Yubetsu, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-6501, Japan

Takes place: May - June

4. Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Fuji Shibazakura Festival is an event aimed at promoting shibazakura, also known as pink and phlox mosses, one of the many famous Japanese flowers. This fair is held every year in the Fuki Five Lakeside region from mid-April to sometime in June. The lakeside area boasts hundreds of thousands of shibazakura, which come in different shades of pink, purple, white, and others with striped patterns. Clearly, admirers of such beauty have a lot to feed their eyes. Besides the admirers, the festival also attracts several businesses that deal with flowers, food, and other local products. So, after you are done exploring, grab a bouquet or a souvenir for your loved one at the nearby stalls.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Address: 212 Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0337, Japan

Takes place: April - June

5. Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri

Another spectacular display of beautiful Japanese flowers is the Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri. This affair is usually held all over Tokyo to commemorate hydrangea plants. However, for the best experience, come to Bunkyo Ward where over 3000 hydrangeas blossom every year in June to create a vast sea of flowers between the Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park. In Japan, hydrangea flowers are highly valued because besides their beauty, they also symbolize the beginning of the rainy season in the country. At the main site near the shrine, you will find several local stands offering great deals on potted hydrangeas and different festival goods that you can buy as souvenirs.

Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri

Address: 5-31-26 Hakusan, Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Takes place: June

6. Hokuryu Sunflower Festival

Even though sunflowers are not originally native to Japan, they have been widely embraced in parts of the country, with some areas such as Hokuryu going to the extent of hosting annual events to commemorate this plant. In August, when sunflowers start to bloom, close to half a million anthophiles congregate at Himarwari-no-Sato to witness the magical moment. A unique feature about this plantation is that it has an observation deck which, combined with a pair of binoculars, gives observers unsurpassed views of the entire 23.1-ha (57.1-ac) sunflowers field. The roads are also well-paved, but it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. Those who do not wish to walk, there are bicycle rentals onsite to help you maneuver the field.

Hokuryu Sunflower Festival

Address: 143 Itaya, Hokuryu, Uryu District, Hokkaido 078-2511, Japan

Takes place: July - Aug

7. Red Spider Lily Festival

Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Hidaka holds approximately 5 million stands of the famous red spider lilies, also locally known as Manjushage, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the area. A perfect time to come here is from mid-September when the flowers start to bloom; during that time, the park resembles a vast red carpet on a forest ground. In addition to its spectacular sceneries, Manjushage Park is lined with great food spots where you try a few foreign cuisines. For instance, there is Ryotei Asahi, which is renowned all over the city and beyond for its authentic Japanese cuisine and warm hospitality.

Red Spider Lily Festival

Address: Kinchakuda Manjushage Park

Takes place: September

8. Farm Tomita Lavender Festival

Farm Tomita is a huge contributor to the country’s lavender tourism. The farm constitutes 12 flower fields that attract many people, especially in June, when lavender starts blooming. With the different lavender fields here, it can be a dilemma choosing where to begin your tour of the farm. If so, the traditional lavender field is always a good place to start. The field is one of the oldest of its kind in Japan, and it is completely covered with pure stands of lavender. From here, you can check out the multicolored flower belts before heading to the nearby eateries for fantastic lavender ice cream and other festival-themed products.

Farm Tomita Lavender Festival

Address: １５号 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0704, Japan

Website: Farm Tomita Lavender Festival

Takes place: June - July

9. Wisteria Festival

In Japan, spring also signifies a time for Wisteria to bloom, and the best place to experience this phenomenon is at the Ashikaga Flower Park. This flower garden features over 350 species of wisteria trees, which collectively converts the park into a multicolored field of pink, purple and white pigmentation. In addition to what’s in the open space, the park also has two long tunnels packed with the yellow and white wisteria for your enjoyment. At night, Ashikaga Flower Park comes to life with spectacular illuminations of the wisteria garden. The views are breathtaking, and not long ago, the field was recognized as having the best night views in the country.

Wisteria Festival

Address: 607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi 329-4216, Japan

Takes place: April - May

10. Atami Baien Ume Matsuri

Another must-visit flower festival in Japan is the Atami Baien Ume Matsuri. This event offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of ume blooming for longer periods than in other areas where the trees grow. The secret to this extended flowering of ume lies in the different species whose blooming occurs in phases. In this light, the first bloomer can occur at the end of November, followed by other bloomers in the subsequent weeks. Similarly to the other plants discussed in this article, the ume trees also produce different shades ranging from white to red blossoms, and although different, the colors are all charming to see.

Atami Baien Ume Matsuri

Address: 8-11 Baien-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka

Takes place: January - March

Breathtaking flower gardens in Japan

The recreational needs of anthophiles have been neglected in many countries but not in Japan. Here, every season presents something interesting for them in terms of magnificent sceneries of blossoming trees. Plan your trip to our top flower festivals in Japan for a chance to truly unwind on nature’s lap.