Popular flowers in Japan: what you need to know
The flower’s of Japan are spectacular enough to warrant their own Japan flower guide. Every month, there seems to be a song and dance over a new flower blooming. Whether it be flower festivals (matsuri in Japanese), grand floral arrangements at parks, or hotels and restaurants offering new flower-themed food and drinks, flowers seem to play a big part in Japanese culture and every event. There are many types of flowers in Japan. While there is no official national Japanese flower, the chrysanthemum is the imperial emblem of Japan, and the cherry blossom is the unofficial symbol of Japan.
What you will find here
If you are a flower lover like me, you are probably super excited to see all that Japan has to offer in terms of beautiful blooms! Well you are in luck. I have put together a list of the most vibrant flowers Japan has to offer (disclaimer: in my humble opinion!). Listed under each flower is a rough timeline of when they bloom in around the Kanto region. You will also find some gorgeous spots you can see them in Japan. So grab your camera, your favourite floral outfit, and check out what is blooming this season!
- Popular flowers in Japan: what you need to know
- Plum Blossoms – 梅 ume
- Cherry Blossoms – 桜 sakura
- Azaleas – つつじ tsutsuji
- Moss phlox – 芝桜 shibazakura
- Wisteria – 藤 fuji
- Roses – バラ bara/ro-zu
- Hydrangea – あじさい ajisai
- Lilies – ユリ yuri
- Red Spider Lily – 彼岸花/曼珠沙華 Higanbana/MANJUSHAGE
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Plum Blossoms – 梅 ume
When to see ume plum blossoms in Japan: Mid-Late February
Ume plum blossoms have become quite a famous flower in Japan because they are basically the opening act for cherry blossoms. What is the difference between cherry blossoms and the ume plum blossoms? Not a whole lot. They both come in a range of colours such as white, pastel pink, and bright pink. They also have different types such as a weeping blossom. However one difference is that ume plum blossoms to not have the iconic split-ended petals that the cherry blossoms are known for.
When ume plum blossoms start blooming, there is a whisper of excitement and relief as everyone realises that winter is on the way out. Ume plum blossoms bloom a little earlier than cherry blossoms. You will see there is a stark contrast between the fluffy plum blossoms and the dead, leafless trees that surround them, which are still fighting to recover from winter.
In my opinion, this is what makes ume plum blossoms so special. Most of the locations that are famous for ume plum blossoms hold festivals to mark the start of the blooms. The paths are usually lined with stalls and vendors selling their various plum-themed food and drinks. However, due to COVID-19 these festivals are mostly closed.
Where to see ume plum blossoms in Japan:
- Hanegi Park / Tokyo (4-38-52 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo) / Official Website
- Ikegami Plum Garden / Tokyo (2 Chome-2-13 Ikegami Ōta-ku, Tōkyō-to)
- Koishikawa Korakuen / Tokyo (1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004) / Official Website
- Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine / Tokyo (1-5-2 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) / Official Website
- Shiba Park / Tokyo (Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo) / Official Website
- Yushima Tenjin / Tokyo (3-30-1 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) / Official Website
- Kameido Tenjin / Tokyo (3-6-1 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo) / Official Website
- Soga Bessho Bairin / Odawara (93 Sogabetsusho, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0205) / Official Website
Cherry Blossoms – 桜 sakura
When to see cherry blossoms in Japan: Late March to early April
Cherry blossoms fill almost every single space available in Japan during spring time. As the unofficial national Japanese flower, those fluffy pink petals are highly sought-after as the backdrop for photos by Japanese people and tourists alike. The cherry blossom is probably the most famous flower in Japan due to its beautiful colours of white and pink.
The pink Japanese flower is one of the most popular types of flowers in Japan, and is used in food, decorations, drinks, and more. If you are are looking for an in-depth look at blossom spots in Tokyo, check out The Best Spots To Enjoy Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) In Tokyo for an extensive list of blossom-fabulous spaces.
Where to see cherry blossoms in Japan:
- Meguro River / Tokyo (1 Chome-13-8 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051, Japan)
- Kamo River / Kyoto (Koyamakamiuchikawaracho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8131, Japan) / Official Website
- Kyoto Botanical Gardens / Kyoto Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0823, Japan / Official Website
- Philosopher’s Path / Kyoto (Tetsugaku No Michi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan) / Official Website
- Maruyama Park / Kyoto (Maruyamacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0071, Japan) / Official Website
Azaleas – つつじ tsutsuji
When to see the azaleas in Japan: April to May
Azaleas might not be as famous as cherry and plum blossoms, but they are still one of the most popular flowers in Japan due to their numbers. In my opinion, azaleas should be the national Japanese flower. Their beautiful pink colour lines every street as they overtake every shrub in Tokyo.
Where to see azaleas in Japan:
- Nezu Shrine / Tokyo (1 Chome-13-8 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051, Japan) / Official Website
- Matsumoto Azalea Park / Nagasaki (1 Chome-1880-43 Higashiomura, Ōmura, Nagasaki 856-0032, Japan) / Official Website
- Komuroyama Park / Shizuoka (1260-1 Kawana, Itō, Shizuoka 414-0044, Japan) / Official Website
Moss phlox – 芝桜 shibazakura
When to see Shibazakura in Japan: Late April to Early May
Another one of the most popular flowers in Japan is the moss phlox (shibazakura). This beautiful flowering moss comes in a range of instagrammable colours that will make your heart sing. You’ll find it covering the grounds of parks like a magical pink and purple grassy carpet. Sounds weird, but trust me – it looks amazing.
Where to see shibazakura in Japan:
- Fuji Shibazakura/ Yamanashi (Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0337, Japan) / Official Website
- Hitsujiyama Park/ Saitama (6360 Omiya, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0023, Japan) / Official Website
Wisteria – 藤 fuji
When to see Wisteria in Japan: Late April to Early May
Wisteria is one of those types of flowers in Japan that has been utilised well for event spaces. Wisteria is a favourite of mine and I recommend if you are in Japan during this time that you visit a shrine with wisteria. It makes the whole experience of visiting places like Hie Shrine just a little bit more magical.
Where to see wisteria in Japan:
- Hie Shrine / Tokyo (Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0337, Japan) / Official Website
- Kameido-tenjin Shrine / Tokyo (2 Chome-10-5 Nagatachō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan) / Official Website
- Ashikaga Flower Park / Tochigi (607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi 329-4216, Japan) / Official Website
Roses – バラ bara/ro-zu
When to see roses in Japan: Mid to Late May
When you think of Tokyo, roses probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, Japan loves roses! During May you can find these pink Japanese flowers blooming in most parks and gardens. Roses in Japan symbolise love and romance and public spaces that feature roses are highly sought-after date spots for couples. Roses in Japan are colourful and the last flower you’ll see before rainy season sets in. You can find a detailed list of Unique Spots for Taking Photos of Roses in Tokyo here. For more roses in Japan, see the list below.
Where to see roses in Japan:
- Shiba Park / Tokyo (Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0337, Japan) / Official Website
Hydrangea – あじさい ajisai
When to see hydrangea in Japan: Early to Mid June
The Japanese hydrangea is a famous flower in Japan as it signals the beginning of rainy season. This stunning Japanese flower comes in an exciting range of pastels from light pink to purple. In fact, there are over 100 varieties of Japanese hydrangea.
Japanese shrines often feature hydrangea in their gardens. If you don’t mind the sticky heat and rain, I highly recommend venturing out to Japan during this season to see how amazing hydrangea can be.
Where to see hydrangea in Japan:
- Hasedera Temple / Kamakura (3 Chome-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan) / Official Website
- Meigetsuin Temple / Kamakura (Japan, 〒247-0062 Kanagawa, Kamakura, Yamanouchi, 189) / Official Website
Lilies – ユリ yuri
When to see lilies in Japan: Early July
Although lilies are not the most popular flower in Japan, there are some gorgeous spots to see lilies in summer. Lilies in Japanese culture symbolise wealth and purity, depending on their colour. You can find a range of different lilies in summertime and bring some colour to parks during summer.
Where to see lilies in Japan:
- Hibiya Park / Tokyo (1 Hibiyakoen, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0012, Japan) / Official Website
- Tokorozawa Lily Garden / Saitama (2227 Kamiyamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1153, Japan) Official Website
Red Spider Lily – 彼岸花/曼珠沙華 Higanbana/MANJUSHAGE
When to see red spider lilies in Japan: Early October
Red spider Lily known as the red spider lily, red magic lily, or equinox flower lilies in Japanese. Red spider lilies in Japanese culture get a bit of a bad rep as they are said to symbolise death and hell. Some people are so wary of the red spider lilies that they won’t even go near them, yet alone touch them or have them in their house. None the less, I think they are a beautiful sight to see as the weather turns to autumn.
Where to see red spider lilies in Japan:
- Kinchakuda Manjushage Park / Saitama (125-2, Oaza Komahongo, Hidaka-shi, Saitama) / Official Website
- Kenei Gongendo Park / Saitama (887-3, Oaza Uchigoma, Satte-shi, Saitama) / Official Website
- Tsuzura Rice Terrace / Fukuoka (Tsuzura, Niikawa, Ukiha-machi, Ukiha-shi, Fukuoka) / Official Website
VERDICT
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