20 Famous Flowers in Japan and Where to See Them
Japanese culture values flowers extremely highly - with our guide, get to grips with some of the most important and find out where you can see them for yourself.
The first flowering plants blossomed on the earth 140 million years ago. Today, they exist everywhere from the highest mountains to the deepest valleys.
Japan, particularly, is known for its beautiful nature and its flowers especially. Since ancient times, flowers have been culturally significant and remain so today, each variety possessing a special significance and mystique.
We’re here to give you a comprehensive guide to each variety, plus information on where you can see them for yourself:
Flowers in Japan
Some flowers bloom throughout the year, while others come to life for a limited time only. All are highly beautiful.
Let’s take a look at the most important:
Summer Flowers in Japan
1. Himawari (Sunflowers)
Meaning – Adoration, Loyalty, Longevity
2. Asagao (Morning Glory)
Meaning – Brief love, Bond of love
Photo Credit : Toshiyuki IMAI via Flickr cc
3. Ajisai (Hydrangea)
Meaning – Apologies, Gratitude
4. Suiren (Lotus)
Meaning – Far from the one you love
Photo Credit : Alexey Matveichev via Flickr cc
5. Kikyo (Bellflower)
Meaning – Unchanging love, Honesty, Obedience
Photo Credit : Jonas Carlberg via Flickr cc
6. Shobu (Iris)
Meaning – Good news, Glad tidings, Loyalty
Photo Credit : houroumono via Flickr cc
7. Rabenda (Lavender)
Meaning – Faithful
Photo Credit : Peter Trimming via Flickr cc
Autumn Flowers in Japan
8. Kiku (Chrysanthemum)
Meaning – Noble, Trust, Purity
9. Kinmokusei (Orange Osmanthus)
Meaning – Truth, Noble person
Photo Credit : TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) via Flickr cc
10. Kosumosu (Cosmos)
Meaning – Cleanliness, Love
Photo Credit : sakurai_dayo via Flickr cc
11. Akaibara (Red Rose)
Meaning – Romance
12. Kaneshon (Carnation)
Meaning – Love
Photo Credit : Malcolm Manners via Flickr cc
Winter Flowers in Japan
13. Amaririsu (Amaryllis)
Meaning – Shyness, Pride
Photo Credit : Horst Schultz via Flickr cc
14. Ume (Japanese Apricot)
Meaning – Elegance, Faithfulness, Pure heart
Photo Credit : raider of gin via Flickr cc
Spring Flowers in Japan
15. Tsubaki (Camellia)
Meaning – Humility, Discretion, Perfect love
Photo Credit : Pony Lauricella via Flickr cc
16. Sumire (Violet)
Meaning – Love, Sincerity, Small bliss
Photo Credit : Silvia Raimondi via Flickr cc
17. Momo (Peach)
Meaning – Fascinating personality
18. Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
Sakura is the national flower of Japan
Meaning – Accomplishment, Beauty of heart
Photo Credit : Susanne Nilsson via Flickr cc
19. Sakurasou (Primula Sieboldii)
Meaning – Desire, Long lasting love
Photo Credit : Chris Gladis via Flickr cc
20. Akaichurippu (Red Tulip)
Meaning – Fame, Eternal love
Photo Credit : pallavi_damera via Flickr cc
Flower Gardens in Japan
In Japan, visiting a flower garden is a popular activity, used to unwind and reflect. There are many gardens open throughout the year, often connected to temples and shrines.
Here’s a selection of some of the best:
1. Furano Flower Fields
The Furano flower fields, famous for their bold and fragrant lavender plants, attract large numbers of visitors every summer. The Furano area is home to many fields open to the public, including popular spots Farm Tomita, Lavender East and Flower Land Kamifurano Farm. Though wherever you go, beauty is guaranteed.
The area is also famous for sunflowers, rape blossoms, poppies, lupins, salvias, cosmos and lilies.
Best time to visit: May to October
Address: Kamifurano North West 5 line 27, Sorachi District, Hokkaido Prefecture
Entrance fee: Free
2. Tambara Flower Park
Photo Credit : TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) via Flickr cc
This park is also famous for its lavender fields, with over 5000 plants to gaze at.
Best time to visit: Summer
Address: Tambara Kogen, Numata-shi, Gunma Prefecture
Entrance fee: 1,000 yen
3. Gunma Flower Park
Photo Credit : TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) via Flickr cc
This garden is particularly famous for its tulips, irises and roses.
Best time to visit: Every season
Address: 2471-7 Kashiwaguramachi, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture
Entrance fee: 700 yen
4. Hitachi Seaside Park
There are a variety of flowers in this park throughout the year, though nemophilia is one of the most significant, blooming in April to create a sea of sky blue.
Best time to visit: April to May and mid-October
Address: 605-4, Mawatari Aza Oonuma, Hitachinaka-City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Entrance fee: 410 yen
5. Chichibu Hitsujiyama Park
There are around 400,000 moss phlox plants and over 1,000 cherry trees in this extensive park.
Famous for: Pink Moss
Best time to visit: April to May
Address: 6360 Omiya, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
Entrance Fee: 300 yen
6. Gora Park
Photo Credit : Guilhem Vellut via Flickr cc
This park is a western-style landscape park, perfect for relaxing.
Famous for: Roses
Best time to visit: September to November
Address: 1300, Gora, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
Entrance fee: 550 yen
7. Nabana no Sato
This park puts on one of the largest flower festivals in Japan during the summer season.
Famous for: Cherry blossoms, Roses, Tulips, Hydrangea, Irises
Best time to visit: Every season
Address: Nagashima – cho komae Urushibata 27 , Kuwana, Mie Prefecture
Entrance fee: 1,600 yen (spring and autumn) 1,000 yen (summer) 2,100 yen (winter)
8. Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
This park has beautiful flower fields, a Japanese garden with a tea ceremony house and the International Garden which uses a variety of soils from different parts of the world.
Famous for: Cherry blossoms, Roses, Tulips, Salvias, Cosmos
Best time to visit: Every season
Address: 2-163 Ryokuchikoen, Tsurumiku, Osaka 538-0036, Osaka Prefecture
Entrance fee: free
9. Makino Botanical Garden
The Makino Botanical Garden, also known as the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, has many types of flora and fauna and is popular throughout the world.
Famous for: Irises and various flowers
Best time to visit: Every season
Address: 4200-6, Godaisan, Kochi, Kochi Prefecture
Entrance fee: 720 yen
10. Huis Ten Bosch
Many attractions keep visitors entertained throughout the day here, including an annual tulip festival during the spring and a firework competition.
Famous for: Tulips, Roses
Best time to visit: Every season
Address: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture
Entrance fee: 4,000 yen
Flower Delivery in Japan
Sending flowers as gifts is an excellent and very polite gesture in Japan.
If you wish to send some flowers during your stay, the following companies come recommended.
1. 1-800-Flower.com
Contact number : +1-800-858-5039
Website : 1800flowers.com
2. Flowers to Tokyo
Contact number : +2-708-252-0065
Website : flowerstotokyo.com
3. Ready Flowers
Contact number : +6-1 2 8-282-5714
Website : readyflowers.jp
4. Flora2000
Contact number : +1-800-456-1797
Website : flora2000.com
5. Floris Hiroko
Contact number : +0-804-120-8746
Website : florishiroko.com
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