Shibazakura 芝桜

11 09 2010
Shibazakura

Shibazakura

A literal translation of Shibazakura is ‘lawn cherry blossom’, and although it isn’t actually cherry blossom (in fact, Shibazakura is known as Pink Moss, or Mountain Phlox, in english) it certainly creates a beautiful carpet of whites, pinks and blues, that lives up to the beauty of cherry blossoms.

In Japan, Shibazakura tends to bloom just in time for Golden Week, the first week of May, but only peaks for about a week in low lying areas.  Higher altitudes can extend the time of the ‘carpet’ effect a little longer.

Shibazakura

Shibazakura

Nearby Tokyo there are three areas that are particularly famous for Shibazakura – Chichibu, Kawaguchi-ko , and Tatebayashi.  Each of these places has their own particular charm.  Chichibu’s Hitsujiyama boasts over 400,000 plants, in 9 different varieties.  The Fuji Shibazakura Festival site near Kawaguchi-ko has beautiful views of Mt Fuji.  And the Yachonomori Gardens in Tatebayashi has a variety of different gardens with a huge number of various trees and plants.  Tatebayashi also has the advantage of being close to the Tsutsujigaoka (Azalea Hill) park which also blooms around Golden Week, and a Children’s Day festival held during the same week with large carp streamers lining a river nearby.

Although I didn’t have the opportunity to visit any of these places during Golden Week, I managed to visit Tatebayashi Yachonomori Gardens a few weeks later.  The Gardens are a short 20 minute walk from Morinjimae Station on the Tobu Isezaki Line (bound for Tatebayashi).

Unfortunately I was too late for the carpets of pink flowers –

Pink Moss carpets

Pink Moss carpets

But the light pink flowers were still looking good –

Light Pink blossoms

Light Pink blossoms

And other flowers were in bloom –

Wisteria

Wisteria

Lupins

Lupins

Poppies

Poppies

Baby Blue Eyes

Baby Blue Eyes

So, even if you miss the peak of the Shibazakura, Yachonomori still has something for flower lovers.

You can check out more of my photos on Flickr!


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Categories : flowers

Golden Week

14 05 2009

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.


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Categories : general