Best Shibazakura Scapes Close to Tokyo
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Amidst the cherry blossom spectacle begins to fade between April and May, the Shibazakura, or moss phlox, emerges with a lesser-known but equally enchanting sight that complements the sakura season. Unlike the sakura that blooms overhead, these ground-hugging blooms create a fluffy, and striking pink, white, and purple carpet covering slopes and fields and creating a surreal and charming scenery across the landscape. There are several popular spots around Tokyo where we can enjoy this breathtaking sight, so here we go with the best places that you shouldn’t miss to see Shibazakura in its full glory!
▽Check also our top Shibazakura locations across Japan!▽
7 Best Shibazakura Festivals in Japan
1. Fuji Shibazakura Festival, Yamanashi
Every spring, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり) transforms the base of Mt. Fuji into a vivid spectacle. With over 500,000 pink moss flowers spread across 2.3 hectares, the festival showcases five different shades of Shibazakura, creating a stunningly intricate flower carpet. You can stroll through the floral displays, enjoying the contrast of the blossoms against the clear blue sky and the remaining snow on Mt. Fuji.
To add to the experience, there’s a food festival on-site, offering a taste of local street food and drinks. While the festival runs from mid-April to late May, the prime time for viewing is early to mid-May when the blooms are at their peak. Given its popularity, an early visit is advisable for those looking to capture the scenery without the crowds.
▽More information about Fuji Shibazakura Festival!▽
 Access |
Direct bus service, the "Shibazakura Liner," available from Lake Kawaguchi. |
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 Official Website |
http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/ |
2. Hitsujiyama Park, Saitama
Hitsujiyama Park (羊山公園), a hidden gem in Saitama, offers a unique spring experience with its Shibazakura Hill, where the ground becomes a colorful canvas of Shibazakura flowers that stretches across 1.7 hectares. With 400,000 stocks planted, the hillside is a kaleidoscope of colors ranging from white to deep pinks and purples.
The park, located at the base of Mt. Buko, also features about 1,000 cherry blossom trees of various kinds, providing a gorgeous backdrop to the Shibazakura display. The best time to visit is from mid-April to early May when the blooms are at their peak.
▽More information about Hitsujiyama Park▽
Fluffy Shibazakura Cherry Blossom Carpet Hill at Hitsujiyama Park near Tokyo
| Access |
15-min walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.city.chichibu.lg.jp/1853.html#itemid1638 |
3. Tokyo German Village, Chiba
At the Tokyo German Village (東京ドイツ村) in Chiba Prefecture, 70,000 Shibazakura plants weave a carpet of red, white, pink, and purple hues, spread across a gentle slope, reminiscent of a vivid patchwork quilt. This floral arrangement is set against the backdrop of a park loosely inspired in the pastoral landscapes of Germany.
Due to its location, the Shibazakura here bloom from early to late April and during this period, the village also hosts a Shibazakura Festival, attracting visitors with the colorful blooms and the charm of the themed village.
| Access |
35-min express bus from Sodegaura Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.t-doitsumura.co.jp/ |
4. Tomita Satoniwa Agricultural Park, Chiba
Tomita Satoniwa Agricultural Park (富田さとにわ耕園), previously known as Tomita Urban Agriculture Exchange Center, is known for its stunning display of Shibazakura and Nemophila, attracting visitors each spring with its breathtaking floral scenes. Home to about 120,000 Shibazakura plants, along with Nemophila, cosmos, and poppies, the park offers a changing landscape with each season.
As the name indicates, besides the flower display the park also provides agricultural experiences, for those interested in a fun way to connect with nature and farming. Fresh vegetables and handmade bento boxes available at the park’s direct sales outlet add a local flavor to the experience.
| Access |
12-min drive from Chishirodai Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.chibacity-ta.or.jp/spots/tomitatoshi-center |
5. Misato Shibazakura Park, Gunma
Misato Shibazakura Park (みさと芝桜公園) in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, is a beautiful location with around 260,000 Shibazakura plants painting the hills in shades of red, white, and pink. The park’s Shibazakura Hill, themed around “Orihime’s pink celestial robe,” features intricate patterns, including heart shapes, delighting visitors with their beauty and creativity.
The undulating terrain offers various vantage points to appreciate the floral carpets, making it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts. The Misato Shibazakura Festival is held during the peak bloom period, generally between late April and early May.
| Access |
30-min drive from Takasaki Station |
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| Official Website |
http://www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp/kankou/nature/misatosibazakura.html |
6. Hachiojiyama Park, Gunma
Hachiojiyama Park (八王子山公園), located in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, is a sprawling park where 500,000 Shibazakura plants bloom each spring. The park’s east side, known as the “Hill with a View,” becomes a stunning spectacle of pink and white Shibazakura, set against the crisp blue sky on clear days.
This picturesque floral display is mostly planted by local volunteers, making it a cherished sample of the local community efforts and a popular spot among locals and visitors alike.
Yabuzuka Station on the Tobu Ryomo Line, Hachiojiyama Park is an inviting destination for those seeking to bask in the glory of spring’s bloom.
| Access |
10-min drive from Yabukuza Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.gunma-fc.jp/location/hachiojiyama-park/ |
7. Ichikaimachi Shibazakura Park, Tochigi
Ichikaimachi Shibazakura Park (市貝町芝ざくら公園) in Tochigi Prefecture is a park spread over an 18,000 square meter area, making it one of the largest of its kind in Honshu and boasting around 200,000 Shibazakura plants in a vibrant palette of red, pink, purple, and white.
The Shibazakura are planted in patterns that mimic the flow of the nearby Koigawa River, creating a stunning visual effect, especially when viewed from the park’s observation deck. Here the flowers also bloom a little earlier, so the annual Shibazakura Festival is usually held from late March to April during peak season.
| Access |
11-min drive from Kobana Station |
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| Official Website |
https://www.ichikai-sibazakura.jp/ |
You can enjoy a wide variety of flowers in Japan throughout the year. Check out our ultimate guide to flowers in Japan and find the best seasonal blooms!
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Written by
Photographer, journalist, and avid urban cyclist, making sense of Japan since 2017. I was born in Caracas and lived for 14 years in Barcelona before moving to Tokyo. Currently working towards my goal of visiting every prefecture in Japan, I hope to share with readers the everlasting joy of discovery and the neverending urge to keep exploring.
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