Japan is known for many things, and its fantastic culture is certainly one of them.
However, some of us are likely thinking of one thing when we envision Japan – beautiful gardens.
Japanese gardens are brimming with incredible flowers, and you’ll find plenty of flowers in the wild as well.
This Guide – We would like to share with you some of the most beautiful Japanese flowers by season, so sit back, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy!
Spring Japanese Flowers
Spring is the most abundant time for flowers in Japan and it is definitely delightful to the eye and to your senses.
Sakura Cherry Blossom
One of the most iconic flowers associated with Japan is the cherry blossom tree’s exquisite sakura flower.
In fact, Japan has an entire season dedicated to when the cherry blossoms bloom, and it is a significant event there!
These breathtaking flowers bloom as early as March and continue until around May.
It truly is a feast for the eyes, people picnic under the trees, and carnivals take place around the country.
Once the cherry blossoms have finished blooming, the petals fall from the trees like pink snowflakes.
Be sure to visit the Merugo river near Nakameguro station for views of some of the most breathtaking cherry blossoms in all of Japan.
Fuji Wisteria
You will find yourself enjoying the sublime sight of Fuji or wisteria, around April right through May.
This plant is famous in Japanese culture and is found growing in urban and rural places all across the country.
But to experience the best, go to the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi to see some superb displays.
The flowers trail and vine so they are more exquisitely beautiful than other flowers in Japan.
In the past, these trees had some close connections with nobility, and, today that hasn’t really changed or stuck with modern times.
Tulips
As spring begins to settle, around the end of April and into the beginning weeks of May, Japan also welcomes all the tulips that are typically displayed in parks and gardens to show off their natural beauty.
One of the most famous display gardens is Tonami Tulip Park and while it is away from the downtown area and can take some time to visit, it is a beautiful display of flowers worth your time to see.
However, if you wanted to stay a little closer to Tokyo there is also a beautiful display garden called Sakura Furusato Hiroba that is located only around one hour from Tokyo.
Azalea
Azaleas bloom essentially at the same time as tulips, and you’ll find them in many areas of Japan.
If you want to combine admiring these gorgeous flowers with some culture, then head over to the Nezu Shrine to see one of the most breathtaking displays of azaleas in Japan.
But really – you will see these white and pink flowers almost everywhere while you are in bloom season, even when you are located in a city!!
Nemophila
In the spring, the fields of Japan are transformed with nemophila creating wave after wave of stunning light blue.
This is something that you must experience when you visit Japan in spring and your best bet is to get to the Hitachi Seaside Park near Tokyo.
However, there is also a park in Tachikawa where nemophila are an eye sore called the Showa Memorial park.
Creeping Phoenix
One of the most magnificent spring flowers in Japan is the creeping phlox, a lovely pink flower that is featured prominently at one of Japan’s most famous festivals.
The Shibazakura festival occurs in Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji in the background.
You couldn’t get more Japanese if you tried, and with the addition of these flowers it would truly be something that you would never forget!
Summer Japanese Flowers
As the spring season comes to a close, various fantastic summer plants begin to show up in Japan. It may be fewer than in spring, but what is there is truly fantastic.
Hydrangea
As the rain settles in, hydrangeas are popping up across the nation, from shrines and temples to parks and gardens.
So much so, they became symbolic of the rainy season, or plum rains, depending on how you refer to it!
These gorgeous flowers can come in purple, pink, or blue and are commonly seen lining walkways as ornamental plants.
The incredible thing is that the colors will change as the flower plant reacts with the acid in the soil!
Lotus
While the lotus flower is the national flower of India, it’s actually abundant in Japan too, and during July and August you can find these unique flower everywhere from temples to ornamental ponds.
With a very close association with the Buddhist religion, the lotus flower is a highly regarded flower in Japan.
If you want the best flowers, you will need to go to one of the temples or shrines. One of the best places to see the flowers is at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple one of the best temples in Kamakura!
Sunflowers
In mid-summer particularly in July and August, Japan is filled with bright and beautiful sunflowers.
The flowers have many meanings, but are most commonly known to represent light and beauty.
Sunflowers are so beneficial to the soil they remove contamination, so have been used in many clean up efforts including that of the Fukishima nuclear disaster site.
Fall Japanese Flowers
Most people do not think of flowers in the fall, but there are some amazing flowers that bloom during this time of year in Japan.
Chrysanthemum
The chrysanthemum is the national flower of Japan, starting to bloom in mid-September and continuing to bloom until the end of November.
While many people may think that the sakura (cherry blossom) is the national flower, it is not, and in fact, the chrysanthemum has a royal connection and is actually a symbol of the Imperial family.
You can see chrysanthemums sold across Japan, but one of the best places to see an impressive display of these blooms is at the Shinjuku Gyoen.
Cosmos
These autumn flowers start emerging around the end of August and continue to bloom until the start of October.
Cosmo flowers are available in numerous stunning colors, including:
- red
- white
- orange
- pink
- purple
There are many parks and gardens that feature cosmos flowers, but one of the best spots in Tokyo is Hamarikyu Gardens.
If you’re based near Mt. Fuji, there are plenty of cosmos flowers nestled in the flower park called Hana no Miyako Park, and with Mt. Fuji in view too, it’s the perfect Instagrammable location.
Winter Japanese Flowers
Winter often brings about a time when a lot of the color disappears however there are some bright and beautiful Japanese flowers still in bloom.
Winter Peonies
The winter peony will start to bloom around the end of November and will continue to flower through to February.
In the cold and gray winter months, it’s like a breath of fresh air and it comes in beautiful pink and purple shades.
If you’re in Tokyo then you must absolutely go and see the winter peonies blooming in Ueno park.
Daffodils
Daffodils are seen around the world as a beacon of hope as winter comes to a close and spring is nearby.
In Japan, you may see them as early as December and January and they will pop up in small groups virtually everywhere you go.
They certainly give a pop of color to the city during the colder months!
But they don’t only brighten up urban settings.
If you head to Jogashima park, about na hour outside of Tokyo there is a grassy field full of daffodils that will take your breath away!
Plum Blossom
During January through March, plum blossom (Ume) will begin to bloom.
Many people regard its arrival as a sign of the coming spring, and it is frequently displayed as a central flower for Ume festivals during the end of winter.
Conclusion
Japan is arguably the best place in the world to see flowers, as they are so deeply respected and symbolic.
You will see shrines, temples, and beautifully manicured parks and gardens adorned with artistic floral embellishments all throughout Japan.
It does not matter what time you go, you will find a flower that will make you fall in love.