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
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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.
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.
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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
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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
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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
Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Thanks Jonelle, had no idea. Brilliant. D🌷🙏🏻🍵❣️
Sent from my iPhone
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This just goes to show that your next trip there has to last for 365 days…