my favorite places to see spring flowers in bloom in and around Tokyo:

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Here are a few of my favorite places to see spring flowers in bloom in and around Tokyo:  

Colors abound with the flora in bloom during Spring. Apart from their iconic Sakura, you can visit different temples and parks to appreciate the flora. 

The Cherry blossom season in Tokyo is normally from Mid March to Mid April. Other areas may be earlier or later depending on their location. Osaka for instance is in full bloom usually before Tokyo and Hokkaido blooms far later usually in May. There are a lot of tourists during this time thus prices for flights and hotels are usually higher. 

Cherry Blossom "Sakura"



Depending on your date and destination, you can enjoy different flowers in bloom. Early spring, you can visit Kairukuen in Mito to see thousands of Ume or Japanese Plum. Sakura or Cherry Blossom are popular throughout Japan and are usually in its peak in Tokyo between the middle of March and April. 

Japanese Plum "Ume"


If arriving late in April, you can visit the azaleas in bloom in Nezu Shrine in Tokyo. Wisterias are usually at its peak in early May or late April. You can visit Kameido Shrine in Tokyo or take the trip to Asahikaga Flower Park to see the thousand-year old wisteria trees. In early to mid May, you can still visit the Asahikaga flower park and see the other varieties of wisteria, roses in full bloom, and the other flowers and plants.


KAIRUKUEN IN MITO (LATE FEB-APRIL) 

But there are many other flowers you can see during spring in case you're early or arrive after the Sakura season. Plum blossoms or "Ume" are plentiful and bloom as early as February and blooms lasts longer. The Ume is usually the 1st sign of spring. This type of flower is often mistaken to be Sakura because it looks similar to the Cherry Blossom. But a closer look at the petals and branches can help you identify which one it is. Both type of flowers come in different colors and species. The Ume have rounded petals as compared to the sakura. Ume blossoms have a stronger scent than the Sakura. 




In Kairukuen, Mito, just a 70 min train ride from Tokyo, you can see thousands of plum (“Ume”) and cherry blossom (“Sakura” )trees. There are about 100 types of plum trees in the 13 hectare park.

 

















Famous for its plum trees. They celebrate the Mito Ume Festival is ongoing until the end of the month. Usually it starts in the middle of February to the end of March ahead of the blooming season of the Sakura.





When we visited during the festival last year, there were English Speaking Volunteer Tour Guides that can tour you around the park. To get here you'll need to climb a set of steep stairs but there is a ramp on the left side of the entrance. Entrance 

The Mousou Bamboo forest, which are giant bamboo similar to the bamboo groves in Kyoto can be found in the park. There is also a natural spring called the Togyokusen. 


There is a historic three storey wooden building called the Kobuntei. You get to see amazing views of the park and Senba lake.  



There is also Ume flavored soft ice cream you can enjoy

How to get here. From Tokyo, take the JR Joban train to Mito. Get off at  Mito Station. From Mito Station, take any bus headed to Kairukuen (15 minute bus ride)  During the season the Kairukuen (Temporary station may be open)the park is a short walk from train station. 
Entrance Fee: FREE (Park) Y200 for Kodokan 
Hours of Operation: Park:  06:00 AM -7:00 PM Feb 20 to Sept 30 ; 07:00 -6:00 PM the rest of the year Kodokan: 09:00 AM-5:00 PM Feb 20 to Sept 30 ; 09:00 AM-04:30 PM the rest of the year

ASAHIKAGA FLOWER PARK 

One of the best places to see flowers especially Wisteria is in Asahikaga Flower Park. It takes about 2 hours on the train to reach Asahikaga Station. There are no bullet trains so if you can ride a rapid or an express train it’s best to take it. 


The flower season of Asahikaga is divided into 8 floral seasons.  From Early January to October. The most popular is the Wisteria Story, which is in Mid April to Mid May when the wisteria and azaleas are in full bloom.  The Fujinohana story – Oto Festival are held during this season to showcase the Wisteria. There is also night illumination. 












Purple Wisteria



We had visited in mid May so only a few wisteria flowers were on the branches.








roses in bloom




In Mid May, there are only a few purple wisteria left





There are wisteria tunnels around the park. There are several varieties and colors of wisteria – red, purple, white and yellow

Hours of Operation: 09:00 AM -6:00 PM (March to November ) ; 10:00AM-5:00 PM (end of Nov to February) 

Entrance Fee: varies depending on season Y300-1200 (March –mid april )  Y900-1700 (mid april to May), Y500-Y1200 (End of May to June) Y300-Y800 (July to February) 
To see entrance fee : http://www.ashikaga.co.jp/fee.html
How to get there: take the train to Asahikaga Station from Tokyo about 2 hours. Then take the shuttle bus from Asahikaga Station. It’s a bit of a walk and the park isn’t seen from the main road so it’s easy to miss it. 











IN TOKYO : 

NEZU SHIRINE (AZALEAS in APRIL) 


The Nezu Shrine is a historic shrine known for its 300 year old azalea garden that features 3000 azalea plants. The shrine itself is free and the grounds around the azalea garden. An entrance fee of Y200 though if you'd like to get a closer look and enter the garden. 

The Bunkyo Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri) usually held mid April to early May when the 100 species of azaleas are in full bloom.  This year is the 48th Bunkyo Azalea Festival will be held from April 8- May 5, 2017











Make sure to visit is the row of small tori gates. 





How to get there: Nezu Station (C14) on the Chiyoda Metro Line; 5-10 minute walk
Website: http://www.nedujinja.or.jp (no English site – you can use google chrome or translate ) 


KAMEIDO TENJIN SHRINE

If you don't’ want to spend half to full day in Asahikaga, the best place to see about a 100 purple wisteria in Tokyo is at the the Kameido Tenjin Shrine. They hold the Fuji Matsuri in late April to early May. With the Tokyo Skytree in its background, the Kameido Tenjin is close to downtown Tokyo.. There are about 300  Ume or Japanese Plum trees in bloom and the Ume festival in the shrine is usually celebrated from mid February to mid March.  

Wisteria Trees






Entrance: Free
How to Get there; about a 15 minute walk from the North Exit of the Kameido Exit or from the North Exit of Kinshicho Station

Website:  http://www.kameidotenjin.or.jp/english/index.html

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