12 Flower Fields and Parks in Japan to Spot Springtime Flowers

In Japan, flowers play a huge role in its culture, and their significance dates back to ancient times. During the spring season, locals and tourists flock to the country to catch sight of the iconic sakura (cherry blossoms). Apart from these widely raved-about blooms, there are other beautiful spring flowers in Japan that are definitely worth seeing! 

In this article, we round up some of the best flowers in Japan during spring and where to find them. From gardens and parks to vast flower fields, there are tons of spots in the country to witness nature’s most delicate wonders. Keep on reading to know more about them! 

Also read: 10 Best Airbnb Homes & Vacation Rentals in Japan for the Trip of a Lifetime

Must-see spring flowers in Japan and where to find them

1. Farm Tomita – Hokkaido

Tucked away in Furano, Hokkaido is Farm Tomita: one of the area’s top tourist attractions for flowers in Japan during spring. Rightly so, as it features 14 fields that showcase spring blooms like tulips, violas, poppies, baby’s breath, and marigolds in various colours. After exploring its flower fields, head over to its in-house cafes like Potpourri House, Hanabito House Rene, or Cafe Rene for some yummy bites and brews. 

Best time to visit: May to June

Also read: 9 Unique Attractions in Hokkaido You Cannot Miss on Your Next Trip

2. Atami Plum Garden – Shizuoka

Much like the cherry blossoms, plum blossoms also signify the beginning of spring in Japan and are undoubtedly a sight to behold. While they typically bloom during springtime, some varieties bloom as early as mid-winter. The best place to see these fuchsia pink flowers is at the Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka Prefecture. After exploring the garden areas, soak in its relaxing hot spring or enjoy a refreshing foot bath for a good cleanse! 

Best time to visit: February to March

3. Yokohama Fields – Aomori

For a glimpse of nanohana (golden yellow rapeseed flowers), visit the farming town of Yokohama in the Aomori Prefecture. This is not to be confused with the Yokohama near Tokyo, which also boasts its own collection of spring blossoms like tulips and roses. Come spring in Japan, the fields in Yokohama are painted a bright amber colour by the nanohana, providing locals and visitors with a unique landscape to behold. Interestingly, these delicate blooms are also often harvested in areas like Chiba and Kanagawa for making healthy soups and salads. 

Best time to visit: Mid-March to April

4. Showa Kinen Park – Tokyo

The Showa Kinen Park located in Tachikawa City in Tokyo is a huge park famed for its variety of gorgeous blooms sprouting all year round. A must-see on your visit is its colourful tulip garden, which is home to over 200,000 tulip buds of nearly 300 varieties! Here, visitors can also explore a range of park facilities: vast lawns, seasonal flower gardens, bike paths, and even a pond where you can enjoy a paddle boat ride. 

Best time to visit: Mid-April to May

Also read: 10 Family-Friendly Airbnb Apartments in Tokyo

5. Hitachi Seaside Park – Ibaraki

Ever thought about witnessing a landscape where the ground blends seamlessly with the bright blue sky? Well then, feast your eyes on the woodland-loving nemophila, also simply known as nature’s “baby blue eyes.” One of the best flower fields in Japan to see these dainty flowers up close is at the Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture. Not only does it treat you to an expansive blue sea of blooms, but it also features a small amusement park with bike trails and a 100-metre observation wheel!

Best time to visit: Late March to May

6. Ashikaga Flower Park – Tochigi

Wisteria is a popular ornamental flowering plant best known for its cascading clusters of tiny and fragrant pastel-coloured flowers. Much like the weeping willow tree, this variety of flowers is famed for its dramatic yet elegant appearance. You’ll typically see them in hues of white, pink, purple, and blue. 

As one of the most popular spring flowers in Japan, wisterias can be seen in a number of places across the country! However, one of the best spots to see these would be at the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi. Catch its annual flower festivals: The Spring Flower Festival in March and The Great Wisteria Festival in April. 

Best time to visit: March to May

7. Ikoma Plateau – Miyazaki

Kobayashi City in Miyazaki Prefecture is widely celebrated for quite a number of tourist attractions including the Ikoma Plateau. This highland located right at the foot of Kirishima Mountain boasts a vast bed of pretty poppies that flower during late April. But, you’ll also find other colourful flowers blooming during the Japan springtime up until fall. Additionally, it features a homey coffee shop where you can indulge in yummy cups of joe while enjoying the scenery! 

Best time to visit: April to May

8. Nezu Shrine – Tokyo

The Shinto Nezu Shrine located in the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo is the home of the annual Bunkyo Azalea Festival. That said, a visit to this ancient shrine treats you to over an acre of lush, vibrant azaleas in shades of pink and white! Additionally, the Nezu Shrine features a passageway of traditional red torii gates, reminiscent of the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. There’s no doubt that this underrated gem is worth adding to your bucket list when experiencing spring in Japan. 

Note: Nezu Shrine’s azalea gardens are only open to the public during the festival, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly!

Best time to visit: Late April to May 

Also read: 10 Must-See Temples and Shrines in Japan

9. Shikisai No Oka – Hokkaido

If there’s anything Shikisai No Oka should be known for its being a paradise of seasonal blooms all year round! Found in Biei, Hokkaido, it welcomes you to an expansive bed of flowers against a beautiful backdrop of mountain ranges. This panoramic flower garden has it all: tulips, lavenders, sunflowers, dahlia, and more. Here, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the fields or hop on a tractor bus for a 15-minute tour!

Best time to visit: Late April to May

Also read: Traditional Towns & Villages in Japan That You Absolutely Have to Visit

10. Kawachi Fujien Garden – Fukuoka

For more wisteria sightings, check out the Kawachi Fujien Garden in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture! It showcases over 20 varieties of draping wisteria trees within a hectare’s worth of land. However, the garden’s main attraction would be its wisteria tunnels, stretching over a hundred metres long! Moreover, Kawachi Fujien is typically open to the public twice a year just in time for the wisteria’s bloom in spring. 

Best time to visit: Early April to May

11. Nabano No Sato – Mie

The Nabano No Sato flower park is one of the best-known tourist spots in Nagashima in Mie Prefecture, where thousands of visitors flock each year. It offers scenic and peaceful respite, thanks to its dedicated flower gardens: Begonia Garden, Andes Flower Garden, and traditional Japanese Garden. 

Some of the flowers this park is home to include tulips, nemophila, cosmos, daisies, and begonias. Conveniently, it also houses outdoor hot spring foot baths and other facilities for a taste of rest and relaxation. Seriously, what’s not to rave about? 

Best time to visit: Mid-March to April

Also read: 12 Hot Spring Towns in Japan to Relax & Unwind on Vacation

12. Higashizawa Rose Park – Yamagata

Of course, this list of spring flowers in Japan wouldn’t be complete without highlighting the classic beauty and elegance of the rose. Higashizawa Rose Park in Yamagata lets you in on hundreds of varieties of roses that are sure to blow your mind! It also showcases lush forests and breathtaking views of rolling green hills. While it’s best to visit during late springtime and early summer, you can also catch roses blossoming in autumn! 

Best time to visit: May to September

Also read: 10 Must-Visit Prefectures in Japan That Are Waiting for You to Discover Them

So, that about sums it up for this round-up of some of the best spring flowers to see in Japan and where to catch them! These are just a few of the many beautiful flowers that come during spring in Japan. Before checking out these spots yourself, make sure to plan your visit according to the bloom times of each variety. Have a happy spring season! 

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Facebook image credit (left): Miyuki Meinaka | Wikimedia Commons