Spring Flowers in Japan: When & Where to Go (The Best Gardens, Fields, Parks, and Spots)

Symbolizing the meaning of good news and loyalty, you can find a lot of irises in various shades of purple, violet, yellow, and white in some of these top spots…

So if you want to immerse yourself in this same appreciative outlook of the locals, here are the top spring flowers in Japan that you should take note of for your visit so that you can be a part of related flower festival celebrations, as well as witness grand Japanese gardens, flower fields, and parks in their peak blooming season!

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Takikawa Rapeseed Field photo by: Shutterstock

• Hanami (花見): The traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers (hana), usually by holding an outdoor party.
• Hanakotoba (花言葉): This is the Japanese form of the language of flowers in which flowers are given codes so that emotions can be conveyed to the recipient without the use of words.
• Ikebana (生け花): The Japanese art of flower arrangement which is counted as the 3 classical Japanese arts of refinement (the other two are kōdō for incense appreciation and chadō for tea).

I have already written extensively about the best times and the best spots to go to in Japan for cherry blossoms, so don’t forget to click on the link below!
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(チューリップ) You don’t need to venture far to the Netherlands to see fields of tulips because Japan has a lot of amazing fields that you can enjoy while you’re in Asia!

Top Spring Flowers in Japan

» Azalea or “Tsutsuji” (Rhododendron)

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Overall
(桃) If you’re seeking spring flowers in Japan that are almost similar to the look of a sakura tree (although a lot pinker), then peach blossoms could be one of your top choices! Often regarded as a symbol of purity or femininity, peach flowers are a bit harder to find than the rest of the spring blooms — BUT, there is one place where you can easily find it (and it can be an easy day trip from Tokyo!).

• (TAKEO) Mifuneyama Rakuen Park: Found on the western foot of Mt. Minfune, this is a massive national monument park that is about 150,000 square meters! In the height of spring, locals flock to this spot to view the thousands of pink and purple azaleas that are backdropped by the boat-shaped mountain.
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• (OSAKA) Narukawa Azalea Garden: This beautiful Japanese garden is hidden within Mt. Ikoma and it can only be reached by foot — a worthy trip that you must do when in Osaka because you’ll love the overwhelming colors of the azalea bushes that can grow higher than 5 feet! (Apart from azaleas, the park also has cherry blossom trees for viewing).
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• (TOKYO) Bunkyo Azalea Festival: Also called Tsutsuji Matsuri, this festival of azalea flowers is held in Nezu Shrine which is one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo. Every year, guests attend this festival to witness over 3,000 azalea flowers with over 100 genus varieties. While there, don’t forget to drop by the shrine’s famous pond and Senbon Torii (a tunnel-like pathway that is lined up with several torii gates).
  • Festival Date: (TBC) April 8 to May 5
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• (NEAR KYOTO) Mt. Katsuragi: This mountain is easily accessible by bus or ropeway and if you want to have a panoramic view of the sea of pink and red azaleas, you only need to do a 90-minute scenic hike to the top.

Photo by: Shutterstock

» Cherry Blossom or “Sakura” (Prunus Serrulata)

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» Creeping Phlox or “Rurikarakusa” (Nemophila Menziesii)

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» Iris or “Airisu or Ayame” (Iris Germanica)

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» Lilac or “Rairakku” (Syringa)

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» Moss Phlox / Pink Moss or “Shibazakura” (Phlox Subulata)

Photo by: Shutterstock

» Peach or “Momo” (Prunus Persica)

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» Peony or “Botan” (Paeonia)

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» Plum Blossom or “Ume” (Prunus Mume)

Photo by: Shutterstock

» Poppy or “Popi” (Papaver)

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» Rapeseed or “Nanohana” (Brassica Napus) / or Canola

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» Tulip or “Churippu” (Tulipa)

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» Wisteria or “Fuji” (Wisteria Sinensis)

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» (NEAR TOKYO Spring Flowers in Japan) Showa Memorial Park

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» (SHIZUOKA) Hamamatsu Flower Park

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» (OITA) Kuju Flower Park

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» (TOTTORI) Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park

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» (MIYAZAKI) Ikoma Kogen Plateau

Inabe Plum Grove photo by: Shutterstock
Did you know? The sakura is said to be Japan’s unofficial national flower!
Did you know? The sakura is said to be Japan’s unofficial national flower!