Cherry Blossoms, Tulips, Baby Blue Eyes: The Best Time and Places in Japan to Catch These Flowers Bloom
Come springtime, people from around the world flock to Japan for cherry blossoms. While these light pink blooms look breathtaking indeed, this country is so much more than that. The temperate climate of Japan allows a wide range of plants to thrive, and in spring, treat your senses to different kinds of flowers in bloom.
These amazing spots feature not only the ever-popular cherry blossoms but other colorful seasonal flowers that you shouldn’t miss. Enjoy a sea of pink, blue, yellow, and red—let the vibrant hues of Japan springtime take you on a trip of a lifetime!
【Pink & Blue】 Cherry Blossoms & Baby Blue Eye Flowers
1) Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Peak Bloom: late March to early April
Uminonakamachi Seaside Park in Fukuoka City is beloved by visitors of all ages. A one-stop destination, it boasts assorted playgrounds, creative workshops, a petting zoo, and even a water park all on-site! However, the biggest highlight of the park is its seasonal floral displays all year round— especially the sprawling field of 1.2 million baby blue eyes with the yearly cherry blossom bloom.
The harmonious collaboration between the two vibrant flowers is a great photo backdrop, making this location, in particular, one of the hottest photo spots in the city. Rent a bike in the park (your choice of single or tandem) and enjoy a day of cycling amidst the sea breeze and spring colors.
Facility Information
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Name: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park March 1 - October 31, 09:30 - 17:30 Admission Fee：¥450/Adult |
2) Osaka Maishima Seaside Park (Osaka Prefecture)
- Peak Bloom: early April
The 44,000-square-meter Osaka Maishima Seaside Park overlooking Osaka Bay also gets covered by a blanket of baby blue eyes every April to May. Here, the vast blue skies and cerulean sea meet a flourishing field of azure bloom.
To commemorate this mesmerizing view that appears once a year, a festival and an Instagram photo contest are held annually at the park’s main avenue. Though honestly, what picture wouldn’t be a winner with incredible views like this?
To further enjoy the view, the park offers other unique activities, including a helicopter tour. The ride gives you a bird’s-eye view of the floral carpet below, arguably the best and most exciting way to enjoy the seasonal sight! You can also try paragliding at Taiyo no Hiroba in the park.
Facility Information
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Name: Osaka Maishima Seaside Park Weekdays 09:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) Admission Fee: ¥1,000 |
【Pink & Yellow】 Cherry Blossoms & Rapa Flowers
3) Funakawa River in Asahi Town (Toyama Prefecture)
- Peak Bloom: early April to mid April
With the snow-capped Northern Alps as background, Funakawa River has become one of the best spots to visit during cherry blossom season. But if you time your trip just right, you can also see cheery yellow rapeseed flowers as well as red tulips blooming alongside the 280 Somei Yoshino Sakura trees on the 1,200-meter-long riverbank.
The different hues of the flowers paired with the snow-glazed mountain peaks form a breathtaking scenery affectionately nicknamed the Spring Quartet, which can only be found in Asahi Town. When the cherry blossoms reach peak bloom, the trees are lit with spotlights, and bonfires are started so you can enjoy the flowers after sunset!
Spot Information
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Name: Asahi Funakawa |
4) Aono River in Minamiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
- Peak Bloom: early February to early March
The Aono River in Minamiizu Shimogamo Onsen is another famous spot for seeing cherry blossoms and nanohana. But these cherry blossoms are of a different variety than the ones in Funakawa—they are the Kawazu-zakura, a type of cherry blossom with a brighter pink color and an earlier blooming season, from mid-February to early March.
Festivals and events take place next to the 2-kilometer stretch of 800 cherry blossom trees when they bloom. The bright pink Kawazu-zakura is a fascinating contrast next to the lemon-yellow rapeseed flowers on the riverbank, and you can see them lit up beautifully at night too!
Spot Information
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Name: Michi-no-eki Shimogamo Onsen Yunohan |
【Pink & Red】 Cherry Blossoms & Tulips
5) Showa Kinen Park (Tokyo)
- Peak Bloom: late March to early April
One of the largest national parks in Japan, Showa Kinen Park is an urban oasis boasting a total area of 180 hectares or 1,800,000 square meters in the giant metropolis of Tokyo. Floral displays and events are organized throughout the year, one of which is the Flower Festival beginning in late March.
The two-month exhibition starts just as the hanami season rolls in Japan. First, the park showcases different types of tulips along with 1,500 cherry blossom trees. From there, the flower beds switch to other seasonal plants like rapeseed flowers and poppies right up until late May.
Facility Information
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Name: Showa Kinen Park March 1 to October 31, 09:30 - 17:00 Admission Fee: Free |
6) Sakura Furusato Square (Chiba Prefecture)
- Peak Bloom: early April
Every year, the Sakura Furusato Square in Chiba holds the Sakura Tulip Festa, a major festival that lasts for three weeks from early April. As you can guess from its name, the event features a curious blend of Japan and the Netherlands: a huge field with approximately 300,000 tulips of 40 varieties next to a giant windmill and lots of blooming cherry blossom trees. Interestingly, the “Sakura” in the festival name refers to the name of the city.
Other than appreciating the picturesque scenery, you can also try taking control of the Dutch windmill, wearing traditional Dutch costumes, and eating Dutch food. The festival is the perfect weekend activity for both adults and children!
Facility Information
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Name: Sakura Furusato Square |
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Enjoy flower viewing from the comfort of your home!
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