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A must-visit this month – Japan’s well-kept flower gardens

By on May 12, 2016

Plan a daytrip to Japan’s well-kept flower gardens this month. Not only is doing so revitalizing, it is also very uplifting.

A study made by Japanese researchers Seiji Shibata of Bunkyo Gakuin University and Naoto Suzuki of Doshisha university reveals that looking at plants revvs up the brain, makes people creative and put them in good mood.

So if you are tired of the mundane and badly need some mental decluttering, put on some comfortable hiking shoes, head off to these wonder parks and come back to homebase the same day, totally refreshed. With a bit of advanced planning, you can.

Ashikaga Kouen  Ashikaga Flower Park

The 94,000-square meter sprawling park in Tochigi prefecture first opened in 1968 is also called the ‘purple garden’ and for good reason. Being surrounded by its picturesque view of 150-year old purple wisteria (Fujii no hana) trees feels like being in paradise. But purple is not the only colour you’ll see. There are also pale red, white and yellow flowers . On a clear spring day, take a good snap shot of breathtaking Shirafuji (white) and Kibana (yellow) trellis on the reflecting pool. It’s so beautiful! The park has been cited by international media as one of the top 10 dream destinations in Japan.

It takes roughly a 2-hour train ride to get to the park but it is well worth the trip.

japan_ashikaga_flower_park_29Admission (2016 rates):
(Until May 22)         adults ¥900 – ¥1,700
kids ¥200 – ¥ 600
(May 23 – June 30) adults ¥500 – ¥1,200
kids ¥300 – ¥600

Open 9 am – 5 pm with night time viewing on certain days. Admission fee is higher for night viewing.

When to go: in May if you want to see wisteria

How to get there:
By train
1) Take JR Shonan Shinjuku train or JR Tohoku Shinkansen bound for Oyama from Tokyo station. Transfer to JR Ryomo line from Oyama station. Get off at Tomita station. The park is roughly a 13-min stroll to the park.
2) From Asakusa, go to Kita Senju station. Transfer to Tobu Isezaki line up to Ashikaga station. Take a 30-min shuttle ride (¥400) from the station’s west exit to the flower park. The shuttle bus leaves Ashikaga from 9:15 am in hourly intervals. Coming back, the last shuttle bus leaves the flower park at 8 pm (direct to Tobu station).

Kokuei Hitachi Kaihin Koen
Hitachi Seaside Park

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Standing before this awe-inspiring 190-hectare land of 4.5 million gorgeous nemophilas or ‘baby blue blossoms’ is like a dream. Each year in May, many families, tourists and photographers flock to the park to bathe in the goodness of the flower season. The Hitachi Seaside park is located in Ibaraki prefecture and is approximately a 2-hour-20-min train ride  from central Tokyo.

Admission fees:
Adults (15 years and above) ¥ 410
Children (ages 7-14) ¥ 80
Seniors (65 years and above) ¥ 210

When to go: by mid May

How to get there:
By train
From Ueno station, take JR Joban line up to Katsuta station. From Katsuta, transfer to Hitachinaka Seaside Railway, Minato Line and get off at Ajigaura station. The park is a 20-min walk from Ajigaura station.   http://www.hitachikaihin.jp

 

Chichibu Kogen Bokujo no Poppy                                                                                                             Chichibu Highland Ranch (Saitama)

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The most impressive poppy field in Japan is found at the Chichibu Highland Ranch overlooking splendid hills and luscious trees. The 15 million bright red poppies spread over 5 hectares of land is possibly one of the most refreshing sights to see at this time of the year. Flowering period of poppies is generally from mid May until early June but, in order to make the long train ride worthwhile, it’s best to go during the Poppy festival.

stock-photo-9722878-little-boy-in-the-poppies-fieldEvents this month:
Poppy festival
May 21 (Sat), May 22 (Sun), May 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun).
Free shuttle bus from Minano Station to the ranch during the Poppy festival

Free admission

When to go: Mid may until early June
Poppy festival dates
May 14 (Sat), May 15 (Sun), May 21 (Sat), May 22 (Sun), May 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun).
How to get there:
By train
From Tokyo station, take a 40-min train ride by subway Marunouchi line up to Ikebukuro station. From Ikebukuro, transfer to Seibu Railway Express for a further 80-min. ride up to Yokozone station. Transfer to Seibu Chichibu up to Minano station. The park is a 20-min walk from the station. Free shuttle bus service from Minano Station to the ranch during the Poppy festival.

 

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