Secret Flower Seasons of Japan

So, everybody knows about the cherry blossoms, and I bet you flower mavens even know about the glories of the plums, wisteria, azaleas and iris. But recently a bunch of parks & gardens have figured out that the best way to attract crowds of wallet-carrying camera-toters in the off-season is to plant lots and lots and lots of some kind of flowering plant, then sit back and wait for the cash to roll in. In fact – thanks to their wily scheming on what makes a killer selfie background – they’ve managed to turn some flowers you’ve never even heard of into celebs. I know, totally blatant commercialism, but still…TAKE MY MONEY.

Herewith, the secret flower seasons of Japan:

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TULIPS

April

The tulip garden at Showa Kinen Park blooms from the beginning of April until early May.

Hours: 9:30-17:00

Admission: ¥410

Map

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SHIBAZAKURA

April-May

The shibazakura bloom from late April to mid-May.

Open: Every day, 8:00 – 17:00

Admission: ¥300

To get there, plug your nearest station into the Train Finder with Chichibu Station as the destination. The train takes a little over an hour and a half from Ikebukuro to Chichibu Station, then there’s a 15 minute walk to the park from the station. Here’s a map.

More shibazakura photos & info here.

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POPPIES

May

The poppy fields bloom from mid-May to the beginning of June, at Showa Kinen Park.

Open: Every day, 9:30 – 17:00

Admission: ¥410

Note: The poppy fields are a bit of a hike from the main entrance, and not well-marked. Find the entrance to the Japanese garden, then follow the paved path outside it to the right, skirting around the walled area until you come to a wide path branching off to the left. Follow that around the copse of trees to the same fields where the purple cosmos bloom in the fall.

Map

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BABY BLUE EYES (NEMOPHILA)

May

The nemophila bloom from early to late May at Hitachi Seaside Park.

Open: 9:30 – 17:00, closed Mondays

Admission: ¥410

Hitachi Seaside Park is about three hours northeast of Tokyo, near Mito. To get there, plug your nearest station into the Train Finder or download a free Japan Travel mobile app to your phone (I use Navitime Japan Travel) with Ajigaura Station as the destination. There’s a free shuttle bus that runs every nine minutes between Ajigaura Station and the park.

More nemophlia photos & info here

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HIGANBANA

September

To get there, plug your nearest station into the Train Finder or download a free Japan Travel mobile app to your phone (I use Navitime Japan Travel) with Koma Station as the destination. Follow the signs (and crowd!) to the Kinchakuda site. Note: these flowers reach their peak on the few days right around the equinox (Sept 21), so you have to act fast (and be a little lucky in your choice of day) to see them looking this amazing. It’s better to go too early than too late, though, because they still look beautiful when they’re not all in full bloom yet, but not so much when some of them are past it and withering.

Admission: ¥300

More higanbana photos & info here

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COSMOS

Late September – Early October

The cosmos fields bloom from late September to mid-October at Showa Kinen Park.

Open: Every day, 9:30 – 17:00

Admission: ¥410

Directions & Map

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These bloom alongside the road, outside the Yamanaka-ko Hana no Miyako Park near Lake Yamanaka

More cosmos photos & info here

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BUSH CLOVER

Late September – Early October

This famous tunnel of bush clover is at the Mukojima Hyakka-en botanical garden.

Open: Every day, 9:00 – 17:00

Admission: ¥150

Map

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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had