Well cherry blossom season was here and is gone! But it doesn’t mean that there is nothing else to see or do in Tokyo. Japanese spring is not only cherry blossoms, but there are many other kinds of flowers that flourish during this season. One of the must-see flowers during spring in Japan is colorful and beautiful tulips. They generally flower in April, just after the sakura season. And here are three absolutely gorgeous places in and around Tokyo where you can see these beauties!

Akebonoyama Park, Kashiwa City あけぼの山公園

Akebonoyama Park あけぼの山公園 is located in the heart of the Kashiwa city. This park is beautiful in every season, specifically during the tulip and cherry blossom season. I went there last week and they were having a Tulip Festival, where people were enjoying live bands, food stalls, and picnicking as there were still many cherry blossom trees. The tulip garden there was not yet in full bloom but still picturesque with the a pseudo-windmill as the backdrop and beautiful tulips in different colors. If you need some change from all the traditional Japanese gardens, hanami parties, etc., Akebonoyama Park’s tulip garden is something worth seeing. Honestly, there is not much there to see for a tourist, but it is nice if you live in the city and want to spend some time breathing fresher air and relaxing. As it is an agricultural farm, you can enjoy strawberry picking during the season too.

Access:

The nearest station is Abiko in Chiba on JR Joban Line. You can take a bus to the park from the station. There is a bus after every 10 minutes. The park is the last stop and it will take about 10 minutes to get there.

Hours:

9 – 5pm, Mondays closed

Fee:

Free entrance

 

tulips in tokyo

Vivalahighstreet

tulip farm in chiba

Vivalahighstreet

akebonoyama farm, chiba

Vivalahighstreet

 

Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa 昭和記念公園

Showa Memorial Park or Showa Kinen Park 昭和記念公園 in Tachikawa is one of the most popular destinations any time of the year. The park was originally built in 1983 to commemorate 50 years of the Showa Emperor – Hirohito’s reign. It’s the largest park in Tokyo with a vast space of 1,653,000 square meters. It consists of lawns, flower fields, Japanese garden with pond, Western style garden, promenade, Bonsai museum, and many other facilities. From late March to late May, Showa Memorial Park holds an annual flower festival, starting with cherry blossoms and moving on to rape blossoms, tulips, poppies, sunflowers and many more. During the festival, there are flower-related activities and workshops, photo exhibitions focusing on spring blossoms, several food stores selling soft ice cream, yakisoba, ramen, and several other Japanese festival food! During weekends and holidays throughout the festival, you’ll also be able to experience concerts, tea ceremonies and many more exciting activities. I went there during the tulip season last year. Tulips at the park are modelled on those at Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Showa Kinen Park invited a former director of Keukenhof in 2003 and asked him to redesign the tulip garden. They have color coordinated beautifully and it looks like a carpet of candy colored bloom. Just perfect, out of a fairy tale!

Admission:

450 yen

Access:

It is 2 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Tachikawa Station and 10 minutes on foot from JR Tachikawa Station

Timings:

9:30 – 5 pm (March-October)

showa kinen park

Vivalahighstreet

tulip season in tokyo

Vivalahighstreet

Sakura Furusato Hiroba, Sakura City 佐倉ふるさと広場

The biggest Tulip field in Kanto area is located at Sakura Oldness & Open Space in Sakura City 佐倉ふるさと広場 , Chiba Prefecture. From early to late April, the festival called Sakura Tulip Festa 佐倉チューリップフェス is held with 70 kinds, over 600,000 Tulip flowers. There are several colors of tulips ranging from red, yellow, pink, white covering the vast field, with a Dutch style pretty windmill to make it appear more authentic. You can enjoy walking through the pretty tulip flowers, take pictures and relax and take in the fresh spring air. The festival features several activities such as traditional Dutch costume, tulip picking, organ performance, and booths selling local food and souvenirs. Lake Inbanuma runs next to the park and you can enjoy boat cruising during the festival. It’s a perfect getaway from Tokyo during spring where you can admire the warm and pleasant weather, beautiful flowers and nature.

Access:

The nearest station is Keisei Sakura Station. Shuttle bus is available during the festival from the North Exit of Keisei Sakura Station for 100 yen or you can take a taxi as well. It will take about 10 minutes from station to the park.

Hours:

9 – 4pm

Fee:

Free entrance