A Colorful Carpet of Flowers at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The majestic Mount Fuji is world-famous, attracting countless international visitors eager to witness the iconic peak up close. Surrounding this iconic mountain are numerous flower gardens, featuring blooms like tulips, sunflowers, and the especially iconic shibazakura (moss phlox).
Shibazakura typically grows on hillsides, which is why it thrives at the foot of Mount Fuji. The name literally means “lawn cherry blossom” — Shiba refers to grass or lawn, and zakura (from sakura) refers to cherry blossom. The flowers cover the ground like a carpet and resemble cherry blossoms when in full bloom.
From mid-April to late May, the shibazakura around Mount Fuji reaches its peak bloom. At this time, the hills are blanketed in thick carpets of pink, purple, and white flowers, creating a breathtaking scene.
Imagine a vibrant flower carpet with the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji as a backdrop — truly spectacular. This is when the Fuji Shibazakura Festival takes place.
Held Around the Fuji Five Lakes
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival allows visitors to enjoy the spectacular shibazakura bloom with Mount Fuji in the background. Approximately 520,000 flowers from eight different varieties create a mesmerizing landscape.
The festival is held around the Fuji Five Lakes area, closest to Lake Motosuko. Bloom timing depends on the weather and can sometimes coincide with Japan’s national holiday period, Golden Week.
The festival draws large crowds every year, as the moss phlox bloom for only a short period. It’s best to arrive early in the morning and avoid national holidays or weekends if possible.
Walking through the gardens, surrounded by pink and purple blooms with Mount Fuji as a backdrop, is enchanting. On clear days, the blue sky and lush green trees perfectly complement the expansive carpets of purple, pink, and white flowers — a truly captivating sight.
Fuji Gourmet Food Festival
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival isn’t just about the scenery — it’s also a culinary delight. Numerous food stalls and trucks line the festival grounds for the Fuji Gourmet Food Festival, offering some of the best local dishes.
Some of the specialties include:
Koshu chicken giblets stew
Koshu Fujizakura pork soup
Fujinomiya yakisoba
Yoshida udon made with horse meat
There are even a few halal options, such as Indian curry with naan, though limited in number.
Activities at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities:
1. Admire the flower fields — the main attraction is the breathtaking carpets of shibazakura.
2. Ashiyu (foot baths) — soak your feet in a hot spring while enjoying views of Mount Fuji.
3. Visit the Peter Rabbit™ English Garden — featuring over 300 types of plants and flowers, perfect for photography and a peaceful stroll.
Getting There
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is accessible by bus from Kawaguchiko Station. If arriving by train, get off at Kawaguchiko Station and take a bus to the festival, which usually takes around 30 minutes. Local travel agencies often provide bus services. There are also regular buses from Fujisan Station, Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Motosuko, and Shin-Fuji Station.
