|
flower-viewing
tsutsuji-fuji-sakura-ayame-ajisai-ume-tsubaki-freesia
azaleas
(tsutsuji)
|
Nezu
Jinja Shrine |
Nezu
Sta. (Chiyoda Line). |
|
Ueno
Koen Park |
Ueno
Sta. (JR Yamanote Line). |
|
Suitengu |
I
thought it was the first time in decades that sakura was in full bloom
on March 20. It turns out that it is a "new record" (shin-kiroku)
whereby like in the compounds of the Suitengu Shrine, Suitengu-mae
Sta. (Hanzomon Line), both azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom. All
the events are advertised and will take place sans sakura from the
en of March to the beginning of April which is the usual time in Tokyo
for cherry blossoms. |
|
Tabata-Komagome |
Along
JR Yamanote Line tracks. |
|
Tatebayashi |
Gunma
Prefecture. Until May 6. |
wisterias
(fuji)
Kameido
Tenjin Shrine
Kameido Sta. (JR Sobu Line), walk 15 min. All kinds of events are held
until May 6. Tenjin Hayashi concert April 29, 10am-4pm. Ikebana exhibition
April 30, 10am-3pm. May 6, drum concert 4-5pm, etc. This shrine famous
for its small bridge, plum blossoms and wisterias, is featured on a ukiyo-e.
Tel: (03) 3681-0010.
cherry
blossoms (sakura)
IN
TOKYO:
| ARK
Hills |
A
700 meter sakura tunnel fascinates. 1-12-32 Akasaka. Roppongi-itchome
Sta. Exit 3 (Eidan-Namboku Line). Mori Bldg. Co. (03) 5562-8156. |
| Asukayama
Koen |
Oji
Sta. (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line). 1-1-3 Oji, Kita-ku. Tel: (03) 3910-8882. |
| Aoyama/Omotesando |
And
don't forget the Aoyama Bochi Cemetery. |
|
Chidorigafuchi
|
Our
favorite spot because you can take a boat around the Imperial Palace
moat. Tel: (03) 3264-0151. Kudanshita Sta. (Tozai Line). Don't forget
the Yasukuni Jinja Shrine while there. (URL: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/index.html)
in Japanese but there are long stories in English about the shrine's
history, etc. |
| Happoen |
Shidarezakura,
etc. Illuminations. 1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku. 11am-10pm. FREE.
Shirokanedai Sta. (Eidan-Namboku Line). Tel: (03) 3443-3111. (URL:
http://www.HAPPO-EN.com)
in Japanese only |
| Harumi |
Get
yourself to Tsukishima Sta. (Yurakucho Line) and walk to Ishikawajima
Koen, Tsukuda Koen and via Tsukushimabashi to Harumi Trinton Square
with over 60 outlets. |
| Inokashira
Koen Park |
Someiyoshino,
Yamazakura and Satozakura. Also lake and boats. |
| Jingu
Gaien |
Aoyama-itchome
Sta., Shinjuku-ku. Tel: (03) 3402-7021. |
| JRA
Baji Koen |
Horse-,
pony- and carriage-riding. FREE. 2-1-1 Kami-Yoga. Yoga Sta. (Den'en-Toshi
Line), walk 20 min. Tel: (03) 3429-5101. |
| Kanda
Myojin Shrine |
Tea
can be enjoyed outdoors (nodate). 2-16-2 Soto Kanda, Chiyoda-ku.
Suehirocho Sta. (Ginza Line). Tel: (03) 3254-0753. |
| Kinuta
Rokuchi Koen |
Yoga
Sta., by bus. 1-1 Kinuta Koen, Setagaya-ku. Tel: (03) 3700-0414. |
| Kokaido |
Yutenji
Sta. 2-45-11 Nakacho, Meguro-ku. Tel: (03) 3712-2932. |
| Megurogawa |
Naka-Meguro
Sta. (Tokyu-Toyoko Line). Tel: (03) 5722-9741. Also, the area around
Meguro Gajoen is great. |
| Nakano-dori |
FREE.
Arai Yakushi Sta., 5 Arai, Nakano-ku. JR Nakano Sta. Tel: (03) 3389-1111.
|
| Rokugien |
9am-5pm
(enter by 4:30pm). Adults 300 yen. JR Komagome Sta. (Eidan-Namboku
Line)/Sengoku Sta. (Toei-Mita Line). Tel: (03) 3941-2222. |
| Sendaiborikawa
Koen |
Minami
Sunacho Sta. (Tozai Line), by bus, Koto-ku. City Hall Koho-ka (03)
3467-9111. |
| Shinjuku
Gyoen |
Shinjuku
Gyoen-mae Sta. (Marunouchi Line), 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku (03)
3350-0151. |
| Sumida
Koen Park |
Sakura
Matsuri. Asakusa Sta. (Ginza/Toei-Asakusa Line), 7-1-22 Asakusa, Taito-ku.
Asakusa Tourist Office (03) 3844-1221. |
| Takanawa
Prince Hotel Sakura Tower |
Shinagawa
Sta. Tel: (03) 5798-1111. |
| Ueno
Koen |
Someiyoshino, yamazakura and shidarezakura (the once which look like
a willow). Ueno Sakura Matsuri. There is an antique market during
the festival. Ueno Sta., 5-20 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku. Tel: (03) 3828-5644.
|
| Yoyogi
Koen |
Someiyoshino,
Yamazakura. About 929 trees. Yoyogi Sta. |
| Zenpukuji
Koen |
Nishi
Ogikubo Sta., by bus. 2-3 Zenpukuji, Suginami-ku. Tel: (03) 3396-0825.
|
| Zenpukujigawa
Rokuchi |
Shin-Koenji
Sta., by bus. Suginami-ku. Tel: (03) 3313-4247. |
| OUTSIDE
METRO TOKYO: |
| Iiyama
Hakusan Shinrin Koen |
by
bus #4 from Hon-Atsugi Sta. (Odakyu Line) to Iiyama Kannon Iriguchi.
Tel: (0462) 23-1511. |
| Kinugasa
Koen |
by
bus from Yokosuka Chuo Sta. (Keikyu Line) to Kinugasa Koen,
or 15 min. walk from Kinugasa Sta. (Yokosuka Line). Tel: (0468) 22-4000.
|
| Lake
Okutama |
Someiyoshino, etc. 20 min. ride from Okutama Sta. (Ome Line).
|
| Okutamagawa
Hamura Sakura Matsuri |
There
are about 2000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees in the area. Hamura Sta.
(JR Ome Line), walk 10 min. Tel: (0425) 55-6211. |
| Omiya
Koen Park |
Another
favorite with over 1000 cherry trees and a pond with boats. FREE.
Omiya Sta. (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line), walk 30 min. Tel: (048) 641-6391.
|
| Sankei-en
Garden |
300
yen. Negishi Sta. (JR Negishi Line), by bus. Tel: (045) 621-0635.
(URL: http://city.yokohama.jp/ne/sights/spot/3keien/sankeien.html) |
| Showa
Kinen Koen Park |
Nishi
Tachikawa Sta. (JR Ome Line). 400 yen. Tel: (042) 528-1751. |
| Tsukasayama
Koen |
Anjinzuka
Sta. (Keikyu Line), 30 min. walk. Tel: (0468) 22-4000. |
irises
(ayame/hanashobu)
Although
they bloom for about three weeks from the beginning of June,
irises are known as the flower for Boy's Day (May 5),
nowadays called Children's Day. Boys take baths in water strewn with iris
leaves. Shobu in another kanji of Chinese character means victory or defeat
and the spiky leaves, which do have medicinal properties,
are said to fend off evil spirits and disease.
| Baji
Koen Park |
Best
time is mid-June. 9am-5pm. FREE. Yoga Sta. (Tokyu-Shintamagawa Line).
Tel: (03) 3429-5101. |
| Horikiri
Shobuen (Horikiri Iris Garden) |
A
farmer started growing irises in the early 19th C. -- some 6,000 irises
of 200 species. June 10-20, is the best time. 8am-6pm, daily. FREE.
Horikiri-Shobuen Sta. (Keisei Line), walk 7 min. Tel: (03) 3697-5237.
|
| Kamo
Hana Shobuen |
In
bloom until mid-June. 8am-5pm. Kakekawa Sta. (Kodama Shinkansen),
25 min. by bus. 1,050 yen, children 300 yen. Tel: (0537) 26-1211.
|
| Keio
Mogusaen |
Irises
bloom until the beginning of June and lilies (yamayuri) until
the middle of June. Keio-Tamagawa Sta. (Sagamihara Line from Chofu
Sta. on the Keio Line. Tel: (042) 591-3478. |
| Koshikawa
Korakuen |
Tokyo's
oldest garden from the early 17th C. 9am-4:30pm, daily. 300 yen. Korakuen
Sta. (Marunouchi Line). Tel: (03) 3811-3015. |
| Koiwa
Shobuen |
Holds
a festival June 11 on the dry riverbed of the Edogawa river. FREE.
Edogawa Sta. (Keisei-Honsen Line), walk 5 min. Tel: (03) 3652-1151.
|
| Maekawa
Shobuen (Maekawa Iris Garden) |
More
than 1 million irises of 500 kinds bloom until June 30. Exhibitions,
folk dances at weekends, and a Kyodo Taikai (archery contest) on Itako
High School grounds on June 11, 9am. Wooden boats poled by bonneted
old ladies lead you down canals of irises. FREE. Boat rides 5,000
yen for max. five people. Itako Sta. (JR Kashima Line)/Kashima Jingu
Sta. (JR Sobu Line). Itako-machi Yakuba, tel: (0299) 63-1111. |
| Meiji
Jingu Iris Garden |
was
built by Emperor Meiji for his Empress with 1,500 plants of some 150
species. Until June 30, 8am-5pm; Sat. & Sun. until 6pm. 500 yen,
children 200 yen. Harajuku Sta., walk 10 min. Tel: (03) 3379-5511.
|
| Mizumoto
Koen |
This
large water park covers 1.52 sq. km, with about 50,000 plants in the
Iris Garden, waterfalls, streams, ponds and promenade. Until June
18, 9am-5pm, daily. FREE. Kanamachi Sta. S. Exit (Keisei Line), by
bus for Togasaki to Koen-mae. Tel: (03) 3607-8321. |
| Myohoji
Temple |
Higashi
Koenji Sta. (Marunouchi Line). Tel: (03) 3313-6241. |
Sawara
Iris Festival
(Sawara Ayame Matsuri) |
until June 25 at Sawara Shiritsu Suisei Shokubutsuen (Municipal Aquatic
Botanical Garden) in Sawara in Chiba Prefecture. During the festival
you can take a boat 8:30am-5pm around the garden. Rain cancels. Worth
seeing there is a museum of festival floats (Suigyo Sawara Dashi Kaikan),
Kattori Jingu Shrine or take a boat around the 12 bridges (Kato-shu
Junibashi). The express train "Ayame Matsuri-go" runs on Sat. &
Sun. leaving Tokyo at 8:06am and arriving to Sawara at 9:37am. During
the festival there is a bus shuttle service available between the
Garden and Sawara Sta. Tel: (0478) 56-0411. |
| Suishokubutsuen |
Over
350 types of iris and plants which you can view from a boat. Until
June 28, 8am-9pm, daily. 700 yen + boat ride fee. Sawara Sta. (JR
Narita Line). Tel: (0478) 56-0411. |
| Yakushi-ike
Koen |
The
former estate of the Yakushi family is now a park with period farm
houses. Fresh vegetables are sold at weekends. 9am-5pm. FREE. Machida
Sta. (Odakyu Line), 20 min. by bus for Yakushigaoka. Tel: (0427) 34-8527.
|
| Yasukuni
Jinja Shrine |
Kudanshita
Sta. (Tozai Line). Tel: (03) 3261-8326. (URL: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/index.html)
in Japanese but there are long stories in English about the shrine's
history, etc. |
hydrangeas
(ajisai)
Originally
a native of Japan, the hydrangea returned home
-- after export to Europe -- hybridized as a large pompon
in shades from blue to pink. These vivid rainy season
flowers peak around the third week of June.
| Asukayama
Koen (Park) |
Some 1,800 flowers. 1-1-3 Oji, Kita-ku. Tel: (03) 3910-8882. |
|
Jojuin
Temple |
The
path to the temple is lines with 120 bushes, views of Yuigahama Beach.
Best from the beg. of June. Gokurakuji Sta. (Enoshima Dentetsu "Enoden"
Line) from Kamakura Sta. Tel: (0467) 22-3401. |
|
Hakusan
Jinja |
Some
3,000 flowers of 10 kinds. Nodate (open-air tea ceremony) is
held. Many stalls. Open 24 hours. FREE. Hakusan Sta. (Toei-Mita Line).
(03) 3811-6568. |
|
Hakone
Tozan Tetsudo |
About
10,000 flowers peak from beg. of July along the tracks between Hakone
Yumoto and Miyanoshita stas. Tel: (0465) 24-2115. |
|
Hayama
Choritsu Ajisai Koen |
Some
3,000 flowers, views of Enoshima and Mt. Fuji. Open 24 hours. FREE.
Zushi Sta. (Keihin-Kyuko Line), by bus. Tel: (0468) 76-1111. |
|
Hydrangea
Festival (Ajisai Matsuri) |
in
Ouchimachi, Higashi Matsuura-gun in Saga Prefecture in Kyushu. Concerts,
sketch competition, haiku competition, etc. June 10-July 10. Ouchimachi
Kankou Kyoukai (Tourist Office) (0955) 62-2111. (URL: http://www.pref.saga.jp/eibun/esagaken.html)/
(URL: http://www.pref.saga.jp) |
|
Keio
Mogusaen |
Hydrangeas
bloom until the beginning of July. Keio-Tamagawa Sta. (Sagamihara
Line from Chofu Sta. (Keio Line). Tel: (042) 591-3478. |
|
Meigetsuin
Temple (Ajisaidera) |
About
3,000 flowers. The temple was built in 1160. 8am-5pm. 300 yen. Kita
Kamakura Sta. (JR Yokosuka Line), walk 15 min. (0467) 24-3437. |
|
Myorakuji
Temple (Ajisaidera) |
Mid-June to the beginning of July. About 1,000 flowers daily, dawn-dusk.
FREE. Kuchi/Shukukawara stas. (JR Nanbu Line), walk 15 min. Tel: (044)
922-3653. |
| Shimoda
Koen |
blooms
until June 30 with taiko (drum) concerts on Sun. Izukyu Shimoda
Sta. (terminal on Odoriko-go). Shimoda Kankou Kyoukai (0558) 22-1531.
|
|
Takahata
Fudoson Temple (Kongoji) |
Some
5,000 flowers bloom until July 5. It features Kendo tournaments
and other events, with flea markets on second Sunday, antique market
on third Sunday, and Fudo's memorial day on the 28th of each month.
Takahata Fudo Sta. (Keio Line), walk 3 min. Tel: (0425) 91-0032.
|
plum
blossoms (ume)
| IN
TOKYO: |
| Hanegi
Koen |
About
1000 trees, Umegaoka Sta. (Odakyu Line). Tel: (03) 3322-1184. |
Eastern
Garden of Imperial Palace
(Koukyo Higashi Gyoen) |
About
300 trees, Takebashi Sta. Tel: (03) 3213-2050. |
| Kameido
Tenjin Shrine |
Kameido
Sta. (JR Sobu Line), walk 15 min. Tel: (03) 3681-0010. |
| Koishikawa
Korakuen |
About
50 trees, Myogadani Sta. (Marunouchi Line). Tel: (03) 3811-3015. |
| Rikugi-en
Gardens |
About
300 trees, Komagome Sta. S. Exit (JR Yamanote Line). 9am-5pm. Adults
300 yen, children & OAPs get in FREE. Tel: (03) 3941-2222. |
| Shinjuku
Gyoen |
About
500 trees, Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Sta. Tel: (03) 3350-0151. |
| Yushima
Tenjin Shrine |
About
400 trees, Yushima Sta. (Chiyoda Line). Tel: (03) 3836-0753. |
| OUTSIDE
TOKYO: |
| Atami
Baien Plum Garden |
Atami
Sta. (Kodama shinkansen). It is rumored that the aroma of sake rather
than plum blossoms fragrance, prevails. Atami Shiyakusho, tel: (0557)
85-2222. |
| Fuchu-shi
Kyodo no Mori |
Some
800 trees of 70 kinds, Fuchu Honmachi Sta. (JR Nanbu/Musashino lines).
Tel: (0423) 68-7921. |
| Itsukaichi
Bairin |
About
10,000 trees, Musashi-Itsukaichi Sta. (JR Itsukaichi Line). |
| Jindai
Botanical Gardens (Jindai Shokubutsu Koen) |
About
280 trees, Tsutsujigaoka Sta. (Keio Line), by bus to Jindai Shokubutsuen-mae.
Adults 500 yen, students 200 yen, children & OAPs get in FREE.
Closed Mon. Tel: (0424) 83-2300. |
| Mito
Kairakuen |
Plum Garden Mito-shi, Ibaraki-ken Mito Sta., N. Exit, by bus. Ume
Festival is held until March 31 (the best viewing is until March
20). Mito Kanko Kyokai, tel: (029) 224-0441. Ibaraki-ken Tokyo Shoko
Kanko Jimusho/Tokyo Office tel: (03) 3231-2642. Ibaraki-ken Kanko
Kyokai (029) 226-3800 fax: (029) 221-9791. Kanko Telephone Service
(029) 231-4100. (URL: http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp) |
| Keio
Mogusa-en |
About
650 trees, Chofu-shi. Mogusaen Sta. (Sagamihara Line from Chofu
Sta. on the Keio Line). Adults 300 yen, children 100 yen. Tel: (042)
591-3478. |
|
Ogose
Bairin |
Ogose
Sta., by bus. Ogose Yakuba, tel: (0492) 92-3121. |
|
Sankei-en Garden |
Plum
Blossom Viewing Feb. 4-March 4, Outer Garden. Sankeien Garden, Negishi
Sta. (JR Negishi Line), by any bus from Platform 1 to Honmoku Bus
Stop. 9am-5pm (enter by 4:30pm). Adults 300 yen, children 60 yen.
Tel: (045) 621-0634/(045) 621-0635. (URL: http://city.yokohama.jp/ne/sights/spot/3keien/sankeien.html) |
| Soga
Bairin |
About
30,000 trees, Shimo-Soga Sta. Odawara-shi Kanko Kyokai, tel: (0465)
35-3400. |
| Takao
Baigo |
About
5000 trees, Takao Sta. (Keio Line), by bus to Komagino. Yakushi-ike
Koen About 370 trees, Machida Sta. (Odakyu Line). |
| Mt.
Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival (Tsukubasan Ume Matsuri) |
until
March 20 at Tsukuba Bairin (Tsukuba-shi). Tsukuba-shi Kanko Kyokai
(0298) 36-1111. |
| Yoshino
Baigo |
near Hinatawada Sta., reached from Tokyo Sta. to Tachikawa, transfer
to Okutama-bound train on the JR Ome Line, with about 25,000 trees
and including the park called Ume no Koen that has more than 100
varieties. |
| Yugawara
Onsen Spa |
Ume
no Sono Jan. 28-March 20. Illuminated Feb. 24-March 11, 6-8:30pm.
Yugawara Onsen (0465) 63-2111. |
camellia
(tsubaki) 
The
47th Izu Oshima Camellia Festival (Izu
Oshima Tsubaki Matsuri) is held until March 24 (from Jan. 26), 9am-3:30pm.
FREE. This trip (you have to take a boat) might require two days but it
seems that you get there at 6am and the last ship back leaves at 2:50pm.
Apparently plenty of time to see it. To check out whether you really want
to make the journey, go to Takeshiba Kyakusen Terminal (Takeshiba Station
on Yurikamome Monorail from Shinbashi Station) or walk from Hamamatsucho
Station. There you will find a shop selling souvenirs and camellia oil,
shampoos and other products that are sold at the drug stores but one usually
cannot find them when one is looking for them. There are all kinds of
pamphlets available. And, there is a grand view over the Rainbow Bridge
and O-Daiba area. Oshima Kanko Kyokai (04922) 2-2177. Oshima Park (Toritsu
Oshima Koen), 3 million flowers, Oshima Island, Tokyo-to, reached by ship
in about 10 hrs. from Takeshiba Pier. or on Toshima Island, reached from
Oshima by boat in 1 hr. & 30 min. For more info, call Oshima Kanko
Kyokai (04992) 2-2177/Transportation: Tokai Steamship Co./Tokai Kisen,
Information (03) 5472-9999; Reservations (03) 5472-9009. (URL: http://www.tokaikisen.co.jp)
in Japanese only. The Albatross hovercraft covers the distance to Oshima
in 2 hours and 20 minutes. You can also take the boat from Atami Port
or Osanbashi in Yokohama. Izu Seven Islands Kanko Renmei (03) 3436-6955.
freesia
The
35th Freesia Festival
(Dai-Sanjugokai Furiija Matsuri) is held March 20-April 4, in Hachijojima.
The island has a 25 ha. Hachijo Botanical Gardens (Hachijo Shokubutsu
Koen), a hot spring spa, a farm (Fureai Bokujo) on the 7th Station of
Mt. Hachijo Fuji. The boat from Takeshiba Pie leaves daily (until March
30) at 10:30pm and arrives at Hachijojima at 9:10am (9:30am on Tue.).
It leaves Hachijoshima at 10:10am (10:30am on Tue.) and arrives to Takeshiba
Pier 8:30pm (9:10pm on Tue.). Tokai Steamship Co./Tokai Kisen, Information
(03) 5472-9999; Reservations (03) 5472-9009. (URL: http://www.tokaikisen.co.jp)
in Japanese only. Izu Seven Islands Kanko Renmei (03) 3436-6955.
[Kiri-e
by Kawahara Migiwa]
[Tenugui by Kawakami Keiji and Kawakami Chihiro, Meiji Shoin; Ikebana
101 Plants & 478 Arrangements, Shufunotomo Co., Ltd.] |
