Posted September 20, 2017 by Jonelle Patrick5 Comments Awesome Stuff To Do

Where To See Magical Red Autumn Lilies In Tokyo

This photo was taken at Kinchakuda, near Koma station. Higanbana generally burst into bloom right after the first big rain of mid-September.

These Japanese amaryllis bloom once a year for only a few days, right at the fall equinox. If you move fast, you can still catch the higanbana in their full glory right now! Here’s where:

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KINCHAKUDA near Koma Station

This magical forest of red spider lilies isn’t a quick jaunt from a stop on the Yamanote Line – you’ll have to journey a little over an hour by train to Koma Station – but it’ll be worth it, don’t you think?

Paths meandering through fields of lovely knee-high amaryllis just go on and on and on. The first time I came here, I couldn’t believe how big this place is! More than five million bulbs are planted at Kinchakuda.

Even in the rain, they cast a spell, and invite hours of walking through the riverside preserve

The reason these aren’t quite so widely celebrated as, say, cherry blossoms, is that they’ve always been seen as a bit creepy. Higanbana are most often found growing near graveyards – the bulbs are really toxic, so they were planted to keep mice and rats out. Although “higanbana” means “equinox flower,” theyGoth name of Corpse Lily.

Which is why – cheerily red though they are – giving a bouquet of these beauties is a bit of a death threat (or at least not the best choice for a “get well” gift!)

Although there is just a short window when the entire place is blooming like this, ones near the entrance bloom just slightly later than the ones farther away, so even if you don’t hit it in the perfect sweet spot, there’s plenty of red goodness for about ten days around peak bloom

Kinchakuda is a little over an hour by train from Shinjuku Station, then a fifteen minute walk from Koma Station. It’s easy to know the fastest route, because there will be a steady stream of eager flower viewers heading that direction.

Open for higanbana viewing: September 16 – October 1

Admission: ¥300

MAP

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Kinchakuda is the most spectacular display of higanbana, but you can also find these excellent flowers blooming at various parks in Tokyo:

KORAKUEN GARDEN near Korakuen Station

*Higanbana* punctuate the greenery with sparks of red all over Korakuen Garden…

…but there is always a nice stand of them near the wisteria trellises, reflecting in my favorite meandering stream

And if you look back toward the famous stone Moon Bridge, you’ll see a naturalized patch of them that’s just achingly beautiful

Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Open: Every day except Dec 31 – Jan 1

Admission: ¥300

MAP

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KYU-SHIBA RIKYU TEIEN GARDEN near Hamamatsucho Station

Exuberant stands of higanbana burst from the deep green in this little-known stroll garden, right next to Hamamatsucho Station

Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Open: Every day except Dec 31 – Jan 1

Admission: ¥150

MAP

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HAMA-RIKYU TEIEN GARDEN near Shiodome Station

Casual patches of *higanbana* pop up delightfully as you meander through this huge park. Bonus: the cosmos field is in bloom at the same time!

Hours: 9:30 – 17:00

Open: Every day except Dec 31 – Jan 1

Admission: ¥300

MAP

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And if you’re looking for a perfect autumn escape…

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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

Jonelle Patrick View All

Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!

5 thoughts on “Where To See Magical Red Autumn Lilies In Tokyo” Leave a comment ›

Diane Wilt says:

September 20, 2017 at 5:34 pm

Love these amazing flowers.

D❣️🍵

Sent from my iPhone

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- Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  September 21, 2017 at 5:56 am
  
  You should come see them sometime! They really are astounding, and I know you would appreciate them to the nth degree!
  
exploringcolour says:

September 20, 2017 at 6:22 pm

WOW! So sad I can’t get there all the way from New Zealand but very glad you shared the photos so I can at least enjoy those! They are sublime!

- Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  September 21, 2017 at 5:59 am
  
  You know, it’s so funny, but I thought of you and your blog while I was there! The carpet of red flowers was so flawless, it reminded me of the single-color theme posts you do.
  
  - exploringcolour says:
    
    September 21, 2017 at 12:04 pm
    
    That is such a lovely comment! How amazing! Please stay tuned to what’s being published on my blog. I’m doing an intro to something new later today. And then tomorrow morning NZ time I’m publishing a guest post that’s a real treat!