Japan is a fantastic travel destination. Bright lights, big city, arts, culture, history, seafood, anime, maid cafes, temples, Kyoto, Tokyo and much much more.
This is my second trip to Japan and for a general traveller Japan has got to be one of the best travel destinations. Unlike say South Korea, I believe you don't have to have a real interest in Japan to have a great travel experience. There is so much to see, do and eat that it is very difficult not to find something interesting to take your fancy.
Flowers and more flowers
While a typical tourist may only be interested in the cherry blossoms there is much more to spring flowers than just sakura. For the more adventurous traveller or those people really into flowers there are many other flowers to enjoy (depending on when you are visiting).
Other popular flowers for locals and travellers alike include:
- Azaleas
- Shiba-zakura (also known as moss phlox)
- Wisteria
- Nemophila
Cherry Blossoms
One of the most common attractions or reasons to visit Japan is to see the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom season, known as "sakura" in Japanese, is a beloved spring tradition in Japan, with the timing and location of the blossoms varying throughout the country.
It's all in the details: Now timing and location of the cherry blossoms can be very specific so pay real attention to your travel times and destinations if experiencing the sakura is one of your reasons for visiting Japan. This attention to detail can be put to your advantage if you visit a destination outside of any public holidays or typical travel spots. Instead of visiting an overcrowded spot or even totally missing the sakura season you can make the most of your visit and get some photos away from the crowds.
Tokyo Flower season: The flower season in Tokyo ranges from approximately March through to May and is a must do visit if you love flowers and nature. However, unless you are staying for a prolonged period you will have to choose your travel dates wisely to enjoy the flowers (most probably the sakura) at their best.
There are many ways to enjoy the sakura. Some options you may never have imagined are:
- Trams
- Boat Cruise
- Evening Light Displays
Cherry Blossoms and Trams
The only tram line left in Tokyo also happens to be one of the best ways to enjoy the sakura. Hop on board the Tokyo Sakura Tram (also known as the Toden Arakawa Line) and enjoy multiple cherry blossom hotspots throughout your journey. You'll come across Asukayama Park that has over 600+ cherry trees and is home to the famous Omokagebashi Bridge with rows of cherry trees overhanging the Kanda River.
Cherry Blossoms and Boat Cruise
The Tokyo Mizube Cruising Line's "Asakusa-Odaiba Cruise" is highly popular and connects Ryogoku, Asakusa, Takeshiba and Odaiba. This cruise is great as you can view the sakura blossoms of Sumida Park from the water - Sumida Park is one of Tokyo's premier cherry blossom locations.
This cruise allows you to get some cherry blossom photos that look a bit different which is the icing on the cake so to speak. What's more - no reservations are required giving you the ultimate in flexibility.
Cherry Blossoms and Evening Light Displays
At Hotel New Otani Tokyo enjoy the historical 400 year old garden that is home to over 19 types of cherry blossoms. Even better, at night the garden is illuminated and what's more it's FREE for everyone. You can't complain about that.
The light display is on right up until midnight so is perfect for night owls and those you like to avoid crowds can try their luck visiting later in the evening.
The illumination period is from 1 March through to mid-April.
Azaleas
Now Azaleas won't necessarily be your top pick but beggars can't be choosers so if you happen to be in Tokyo early to mid April then you might just be in for a treat you never even knew about.
The place to get to is the Nezu-jinja Shrine that also happens to be home to the Tsutsuji-en (Azalea Garden). The Tsutsuji-en just happens to be the home of over 3,000 azalea bushes that includes approximately 100 different varieties. That means lots of multi-colour glory and even better, a long viewing season, with early and late blooming varieties ensuring you have the utmost possibility of enjoying Tsutsuji-en. Perfect if you've arrived just in time to MISS out on the cherry blossoms.
While you are here don't miss the opportunity to view the azaleas against the backdrop of the Nezu-jinja Shrine's iconic vermillion torii gates.
Getting to Nezu-jinja: Nezu Sta., Sendagi Sta., or Todaimae Sta. (Tokyo Metro) followed by 5 minute walk.
Shiba-zakura (moss phlox)
What's better than cherry blossoms? How about experiencing moss phlox and cherry blossoms together! Experience approximately 64,000 moss phlox flowers blooming along the Arakawa River that creates a beautiful pink carpet that you've never experienced before. Fantastic views make this a special treat. Just slightly off the beaten track it may mean slightly smaller crowds if you are fortunate.
At just 1 short 30 minute trip from Ikebukuro by train and on foot, this spot is easy to reach and perfect for a spring picnic with loved ones.
Getting to Hitsujiyama Park: Akabane-iwabuchi Sta. (Tokyo Metro) then 10 minute walk / JR Akabane Sta. then 20 minute walk.
Nemophila
I have to admit that before my visit to Japan I'd never heard of moss phlox nor Nemophila. Learning and finding out something new is part of what makes travel fun and interesting. Put it this way, before the holiday it was a vague notion to view some cherry blossoms if we were lucky enough. I never imagined I'd be doing a flower tour of Tokyo.
The best time to view Nemophila in Tokyo is mid-April to early May. The place to get to is Toneri Park where you can step into a sea of blue where fields of nemophila flowers create an expanse like no other. What's great about Toneri Park is they know the nemophila are a crowd pleaser and provide a few props for the ubiquitous selfie or two.
Being the crowd pleaser that it is do try and visit Toneri Park on a weekday if you like to get that perfect selfie or image. This place does get really packed. On the plus side it is nice to see the Japanese people enjoying themselves and also find out that sakura aren't the only game in town (as far as flowers go).
Toneri Park is spacious although proportionally the nemophila garden is quite small so it might seem a bit underwhelming. However, it's definitely large enough to get those all important selfies and really for me, I just enjoyed a bit of people watching and seeing the Japanese people so into it.
In their own right the nemophila are quite beautiful. If anything, coming to a park like this it helps you appreciate the smaller things in life - if only for a moment in time (before you go back to tourist mode that is).
Enjoy the rest of Toneri Park while you are here if you love parks (as the park is pretty extensive) although for the tourist in a rush I'd suggest getting to your next desired travel destination rather than hanging around.
Getting to Toneri Park: Toneri-koen Sta. (Nippori-Toneri Liner) then 5 min walk.
Wisteria
I have to admit that wisteria is probably a lot more common and well known than moss phlox or nemophila. What is also known is that it looks awesome when out in its full colour vibrant glory. Sadly we timed it totally wrong when we visited, well likely by 3 or so weeks late. Enough for the flowers to be well and truly finished.
The iconic Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto City (not Kyoto) offers spectacular views of wisteria blossoms draped over the wooden trellises and walkways. The Kameido Tenjin Shrine is also home to the annual Wisteria Festival with food stalls and traditional performances.
If you are crowd weary try to visit early in the morning and avoid weekends as this spot is a favourite for tourists and locals alike. We happened to be visit during Golden week so it was pumping even if the wisteria had seen better days.
So despite missing the wisteria we still had a great time. We managed to listen to a few live musical performances, walked around the market stalls, got into the festival atmosphere and got to enjoy the shrine with its ponds and covered walkways. It's well worth visiting here if you've timed it right.
But wait there's more: If you are a big fan of wisteria and depending on where you are located you might like to visit Hie-jinja Shrine or Nishiarai Temple that are also hotspots for their beautiful arrays of wisteria.
Getting to Kameido Tenjin Shrine: JR Kameido Sta. or Kinshico Sta. then a 15 min walk.
More Day Trips From Tokyo
Check out other day trips from Tokyo:
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