yamaonna

In Japan the end of April to about the 5th of May is Golden Week.  Golden Week (GW) is basically a week of national holidays, including the Emperor’s Birthday, Showa Day, Green Day, Memorial Day and Children’s Day. 

Most people have these days off, so it’s a peak travel time in Japan, with many people either vacationing or going back to their hometowns.

Unfortunately this year, the week was broken up, and so the longest period of time off most people had was 5 days.  Some years you can be lucky and get 6 or 7.

Because it’s peak season, it’s really not the best time in Japan to travel.  It can be hard to find accommodation and trains, shops, or anywhere really is packed.  However it also usually falls on the peak of many spring blooms.
This year I made the trip out to Tatebayashi Azealea Festival.  Also because it was close to Children’s Day, Tatabayashi holds a festival to commemorate that too, so the trip was well worth it.

After arriving at Tatebayashi Station, on the Tobu Isezaki Line, there were special buses (during festival season only, 300yen) to take you to the park.  It is possible to walk to the park in about 30 minutes, but by taking the bus you can start at one end and work your way back to the station through the park and then along a river.

Entrance to the park costs 600yen, and inside there are a variety of stalls selling food, souvenirs, and small azalea plants.    The park itself contains over 50 different varieties of azaleas, and even boasts to have a plant estimated over 800 years old.  The area has been famous for azaleas since the 15oo’s, and it’s not surprising, because in full bloom the park is a wash of color.  It’s also a pleasant place to spend the afternoon under a shady tree watching people or the river.

Heading back towards the station, along the river over 1000 carp streamers are hung around Children’s day.  Carp streamers, or Koinobori, are a symbol of being strong and healthy.  Many of Tatebayashi’s large streamers are made by school groups of local children, so all are unique in pattern and some are quite artistic.  It’s a relaxing stroll along the river for about 1km.