Stunning Views of Shibazakura Flower Fields
Although Japan is famously called the Land of Sakura, the country’s floral beauty extends beyond cherry blossoms. One flower that captivates visitors is Shibazakura (moss phlox).
Shibazakura typically blooms across hillsides. Its name comes from its appearance: it covers the ground like grass (Shiba = grass, zakura = cherry blossom) and blooms in colors resembling cherry blossoms. When in full bloom, fields of Shibazakura create a thick carpet of pink, purple, and white, producing a truly spectacular sight.
Here are some of the best places to enjoy Shibazakura blooms:
1. Hokkaido Shibazakura Takinoue Park
Located in the Okhotsk-Monbetsu area in eastern Hokkaido, this park transforms into a pink carpet covering the entire mountainside during peak bloom. A sweet fragrance lightly spreads through the town of Takinoue.
Careful observation reveals gradations of pink, from pale pink to deeper shades and reddish-pink tones. The best time to visit is mid-May to early June for the most vibrant blooms.
2. Hokkaido Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park
This park features a 10-hectare field filled with Shibazakura, creating an extraordinary and photogenic landscape. The peak bloom season is from early May to early June, when the hills are fully pink and attract numerous visitors every year.
3. Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Shibazakura closely resembles cherry blossoms but grows low to the ground, forming a colorful ground-covering carpet.
From mid-April to late May, when Shibazakura blooms, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival takes place at Fuji Motosuko Resort in Yamanashi, offering a breathtaking view of colorful moss phlox fields with Mount Fuji as a majestic backdrop. This festival is highly anticipated by flower enthusiasts and photographers alike.
4. Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu, Saitama
Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu is famous for its Shibazakura fields. Over 400,000 Shibazakura flowers bloom from mid-April to early May, forming a spectacular pink, purple, and white carpet against the backdrop of Mount Buko.
5. Rokutan Flower Village, Hiroshima/Miyajima
Also known as Kamu no Sato Rokutan, this flower village in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture, features scenic hills covered with seasonal flowers, including moss phlox and nemophila.
Visitors can enjoy over 800,000 phlox flowers in four colors across a 50,000-square-meter hillside. The best visiting period is mid-April to early May. The name “Rokutan” comes from the Rokutanda farm, which manages the flower garden.
The vibrant Shibazakura fields are a must-see for flower lovers, offering a surreal and colorful landscape that rivals Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season.
