# Flower day trips from Tokyo, month by month

Tokyo has plenty of flowers of its own, but the big fields are a train ride away. Within two hours of the city there are hills of plum trees, seaside slopes of blue nemophila, a wisteria garden, valleys of red spider lilies and mountain roads of autumn colour. This page names the trip worth taking in each season, when it usually peaks, and how to reach it without a car.

## Planning a flower day trip

The year in one line each: January, narcissus on the Boso coast. February, the plum groves of Soga in Odawara. Late February to early March, Kairakuen in Mito. Late March to early April, cherries and rapeseed at Gongendo. Mid to late April, moss phlox at Hitsujiyama and nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park. Late April to early May, wisteria at Ashikaga. June, hydrangeas in Kamakura and Hakone. July, lavender at Lake Kawaguchi. Late July to mid-August, sunflowers at Akeno or Zama. Mid to late September, red spider lilies at Kinchakuda. October, red kochia at Hitachi and the first leaves at Nikko. November, cosmos at Kurihama and autumn colour in Hakone and Takao.

Bloom dates move with the weather by a week or two, and recent hot years have pushed some autumn flowers later. Festival dates are set months ahead, so look at the place's own bloom report a few days before you go, not the festival poster. On peak weekends, take the first trains of the morning. Many festivals add an entry fee only while the flowers are out, and some change the price with the bloom.

For visitors with a non-Japanese passport, the JR Tokyo Wide Pass gives three days of JR East trains around Kanto plus some other lines, such as the Fujikyu line to Lake Kawaguchi; Mito, Katsuta and Ashikaga Flower Park are on JR lines inside the pass area; for anything further out, such as Nirasaki, check the area map before you rely on it. The SEIBU 1Day Pass, also for non-Japanese passport holders, covers Seibu lines to Koma for Kinchakuda and to Seibu-Chichibu for Hitsujiyama, with the Laview limited express ticket bought separately. Check each pass's area map before you plan around it.

- Search the place name with the Japanese word for bloom report, kaika joho, to find the official update page.
- Station coin lockers at Katsuta, Mito and Kamakura fill up early on peak weekends.

- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Is the JR Pass worth it for a Tokyo trip?](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/jr-pass.md)
- → [Getting around Tokyo: trains, Suica and taxis](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/getting-around.md)
- → [Flowers, autumn leaves and seasons in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/nature.md)

## January to March: narcissus, rapeseed and plum blossoms

Winter is when the southern Boso Peninsula in Chiba earns its trip. Wild narcissus cover the hills of Kyonan from December to late January, around the [Egetsu narcissus road](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B1%9F%E6%9C%88%E6%B0%B4%E4%BB%99%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%20%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E7%9C%8C%E5%AE%89%E6%88%BF%E9%83%A1%E9%8B%B8%E5%8D%97%E7%94%BA%E6%B1%9F%E6%9C%88), best reached by taxi from Hota Station on the JR Uchibo Line. From early January to mid-March the flower fields of [Shiramazu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%99%BD%E9%96%93%E6%B4%A5%E3%81%AE%E3%81%8A%E8%8A%B1%E7%95%91%20%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E6%88%BF%E7%B7%8F%E5%B8%82%E5%8D%83%E5%80%89%E7%94%BA%E7%99%BD%E9%96%93%E6%B4%A5) in Chikura let you pick stocks, rapeseed and other spring flowers, and rapeseed lines the coastal Boso Flower Line between Tateyama and Wada. Tateyama is about two hours from Tokyo by JR or by highway bus from Tokyo Station; a car makes the coast much easier.

[Kairakuen](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%81%95%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92%20%E8%8C%A8%E5%9F%8E%E7%9C%8C%E6%B0%B4%E6%88%B8%E5%B8%82%E5%B8%B8%E7%A3%90%E7%94%BA1-3-3) in Mito is one of the classic plum gardens of Japan, laid out in 1842 by a lord of the Mito Tokugawa family, with about 3,000 trees of around 100 varieties. The Mito Plum Festival runs from mid-February to mid or late March, and the [Kodokan](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%BC%98%E9%81%93%E9%A4%A8%20%E8%8C%A8%E5%9F%8E%E7%9C%8C%E6%B0%B4%E6%88%B8%E5%B8%82%E4%B8%89%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%B81-6-29), the domain's old school, has its own plum trees nearby. Limited express trains from Ueno, Tokyo or Shinagawa reach Mito in about 70 to 80 minutes, and on festival weekends, holidays and some peak weekdays a temporary Kairakuen Station on the Joban Line opens in the daytime, a few minutes from the East Gate. During the festival everyone pays an entry fee, 500 yen for adults as of 2026.

Closer to Tokyo, the [Soga plum groves](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9B%BD%E6%88%91%E6%A2%85%E6%9E%97%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E5%8E%9F%E5%B8%82%E6%9B%BD%E6%88%91%E5%88%A5%E6%89%80) in Odawara are working orchards of about 35,000 trees grown for pickled plums, with Mt Fuji behind them on clear days. The Odawara Plum Festival usually runs from early February to early March. Take the JR Tokaido Line to Kozu and change to the Gotemba Line for one stop to [Shimo-Soga Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%B8%8B%E6%9B%BD%E6%88%91%E9%A7%85%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E5%8E%9F%E5%B8%82%E6%9B%BD%E6%88%91%E5%8E%9F), then walk about 15 to 20 minutes; the trip takes around an hour and a half.

- The temporary Kairakuen Station only serves trains going away from Tokyo. For the return, walk or take a bus to Mito Station.
- At Soga the orchards are farms: stay on the paths and do not pick fruit or branches.

- → [Southern Boso: winter and spring flowers by the sea](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/boso-flowers.md)
- → [Plum blossom season in and around Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/plum-blossoms.md)

## Late March to May: cherries and rapeseed, moss phlox, nemophila, wisteria

At [Gongendo Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%A8%A9%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%82%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E7%9C%8C%E5%B9%B8%E6%89%8B%E5%B8%82%E5%86%85%E5%9B%BD%E5%BA%9C%E9%96%93887-3) in Satte, Saitama, about 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees form a tunnel along a riverbank for about 1 km, with a field of yellow rapeseed right beside them. The two usually peak together in late March or early April, during the Satte cherry festival. It is about an hour from Asakusa on the Tobu line to Satte Station, then a walk of about 30 minutes or a short bus ride.

Mid to late April brings two of the best-known fields around Tokyo. At [Hitsujiyama Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%BE%8A%E5%B1%B1%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E7%9C%8C%E7%A7%A9%E7%88%B6%E5%B8%82%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE6267) in Chichibu, more than 400,000 moss phlox are laid out in pink, white and purple stripes below Mt Buko, about 80 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Seibu Laview and an uphill walk of 15 to 20 minutes. At [Hitachi Seaside Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E5%96%B6%E3%81%B2%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A1%E6%B5%B7%E6%B5%9C%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E8%8C%A8%E5%9F%8E%E7%9C%8C%E3%81%B2%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AA%E3%81%8B%E5%B8%82%E9%A6%AC%E6%B8%A1%E5%AD%97%E5%A4%A7%E6%B2%BC605-4) in Ibaraki, about 5.3 million nemophila turn Miharashi Hill sky blue. They usually peak from mid to late April into early May; in 2026 the peak came in mid-April, earlier than usual. The park adds a seasonal surcharge during the bloom, and it is about 15 minutes by bus from Katsuta Station on the Joban Line.

From mid-April to mid-May, [Ashikaga Flower Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%82%E3%81%97%E3%81%8B%E3%81%8C%E3%83%95%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%20%E6%A0%83%E6%9C%A8%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E5%88%A9%E5%B8%82%E8%BF%AB%E9%96%93%E7%94%BA607) in Tochigi holds its wisteria festival, with great wisteria vines trained over huge trellises, long white wisteria tunnels and evening illuminations. The entry fee changes with the state of the bloom and one ticket covers both the day and the evening light-up. [Ashikaga Flower Park Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E3%81%82%E3%81%97%E3%81%8B%E3%81%8C%E3%83%95%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E9%A7%85%20%E6%A0%83%E6%9C%A8%E7%9C%8C%E8%B6%B3%E5%88%A9%E5%B8%82%E8%BF%AB%E9%96%93%E7%94%BA) on the JR Ryomo Line is a few minutes away; from Tokyo it is about two hours via Oyama, and in season JR runs reserved direct trains from several Tokyo-area stations.

- Golden Week is the hardest time for all three. Hitachi Seaside Park has opened early on some Golden Week mornings, which is the calmest time to see the hill.
- At Ashikaga, the evening light-up is often less crowded than the middle of the day.

- → [Chichibu from Tokyo: Night Festival, shibazakura, Nagatoro](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/chichibu.md)
- → [Hitachi Seaside Park: nemophila, kochia and a day by the sea](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hitachi-seaside-park.md)
- → [Ashikaga Flower Park: the great wisteria and the winter lights](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ashikaga-flower-park.md)
- → [Wisteria and azaleas: the Golden Week flowers](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/wisteria-azaleas.md)

## June to August: hydrangeas, lavender and sunflowers

June belongs to hydrangeas. Kamakura has Meigetsuin and the hillside path at Hasedera, which has needed timed tickets at the peak, and in Hakone the Tozan Railway runs between banks of hydrangeas, lit up in the evening, from mid-June into July. Our hydrangea and iris guide has the details.

In July, the Fuji Kawaguchiko Herb Festival is held at [Oishi Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A4%A7%E7%9F%B3%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%B1%B1%E6%A2%A8%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E9%83%BD%E7%95%99%E9%83%A1%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%A3%E6%B9%96%E7%94%BA%E5%A4%A7%E7%9F%B32585) on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, with rows of lavender on the lakeside and Mt Fuji across the water. The lavender is usually at its best in early to mid-July, and the park is free. The Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku reaches Kawaguchiko in about two hours, and highway buses run from Shinjuku too; from the station, local sightseeing buses go round the lake. Summer haze often hides Fuji by midday, so go early.

For sunflowers, the Akeno Sunflower Festival in Hokuto, Yamanashi, plants several hundred thousand sunflowers on a plateau facing the Southern Alps and Mt Fuji, usually from mid or late July to mid-August. Entry is free. Take the JR Chuo Line limited express from Shinjuku to Nirasaki, about two hours, then a bus of about 25 minutes. Much closer, the city of Zama in Kanagawa grows about 550,000 sunflowers on farmland by the Sagami River; in 2026 the fields opened for three days in mid-August, with a shuttle bus from Sobudai-mae Station on the Odakyu Line, about 45 minutes from Shinjuku.

- Sunflower fields have almost no shade. Bring a hat, water and sunscreen, and go in the morning before the worst of the heat.

- → [Hydrangeas and irises in the rainy season](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hydrangeas-irises.md)
- → [Kamakura and Enoshima: a day trip from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kamakura.md)
- → [Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the loop, onsen and views](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hakone.md)
- → [Mt Fuji from Tokyo: views, Kawaguchiko and climbing rules](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/mt-fuji.md)

## September and October: red spider lilies, cosmos and kochia

In late September, [Kinchakuda](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B7%BE%E7%9D%80%E7%94%B0%E6%9B%BC%E7%8F%A0%E6%B2%99%E8%8F%AF%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E7%9C%8C%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B8%82%E9%AB%98%E9%BA%97%E6%9C%AC%E9%83%B7125-2) in Hidaka, Saitama, a flat 22 ha meadow inside a bend of the Koma River, fills with about five million red spider lilies under the trees by the water. The flowers usually open around the autumn equinox and last into early October. The Kinchakuda Manjushage Festival charges an entry fee of 500 yen (as of 2026), with junior high school students and younger free. It is about 15 minutes on foot from [Koma Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%20%E9%AB%98%E9%BA%97%E9%A7%85%20%E5%9F%BC%E7%8E%89%E7%9C%8C%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B8%82%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E5%8F%B01%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, about an hour from Ikebukuro, and in season Seibu adds trains and some Laview limited expresses stop at Koma. In October the same meadow has a field of cosmos.

October is kochia month at Hitachi Seaside Park. The round bushes on Miharashi Hill, bright green in summer, turn red around mid-October and stay red for about a week to ten days, with cosmos fields around them; the park again adds a seasonal surcharge during the kochia season. For a large cosmos field closer to Tokyo, [Kurihama Flower World](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%8F%E3%82%8A%E3%81%AF%E3%81%BE%E8%8A%B1%E3%81%AE%E5%9B%BD%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E6%A8%AA%E9%A0%88%E8%B3%80%E5%B8%82%E7%A5%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%94%BA1) in Yokosuka plants about a million, 15 minutes on foot from Keikyu Kurihama Station. Its cosmos bloomed late in 2025, so check the bloom report first.

- Red spider lilies fade within a few days of peaking. If the bloom report says migoro, go that week.

- → [Hitachi Seaside Park: nemophila, kochia and a day by the sea](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/hitachi-seaside-park.md)
- → [Showa Kinen Park: flower fields, ginkgo avenues and a full day out in Tachikawa](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/showa-kinen-park.md)
- → [Chichibu from Tokyo: Night Festival, shibazakura, Nagatoro](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/chichibu.md)

## Late October to December: autumn leaves and winter lights

Autumn colour starts in the mountains. In Nikko the leaves turn first around [Lake Chuzenji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%AD%E7%A6%85%E5%AF%BA%E6%B9%96%20%E6%A0%83%E6%9C%A8%E7%9C%8C%E6%97%A5%E5%85%89%E5%B8%82) and the hairpin bends of the Irohazaka road, usually at their best in mid to late October, and reach the shrines in town in the first half of November. Tobu limited expresses from Asakusa take about two hours. On autumn weekends the Irohazaka road can jam for hours.

In November the colour moves to Hakone and to Mt Takao, which is under an hour from Shinjuku on the Keio Line, and then into Tokyo's own gardens in late November and early December. By then the flower parks switch to lights: Ashikaga Flower Park runs a winter illumination from mid-October to mid-February, and the narcissus on the Boso coast start the year again in December.

- For Nikko, take the earliest train you can manage and do the high country first, then come down to the shrines in the afternoon.

- → [Nikko day trip from Tokyo: Toshogu, Kegon Falls, Chuzenji](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/nikko.md)
- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Mount Takao: trails, Yakuoin temple and the hiking year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/takao-san.md)
- → [Winter illuminations in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter-illuminations.md)

## Questions people ask

**What is the easiest flower day trip from Tokyo without a car?**
Kinchakuda for red spider lilies and Hitsujiyama for moss phlox are both straight runs on the Seibu line from Ikebukuro, and Ashikaga Flower Park has its own JR station. Hitachi Seaside Park is easy too, with a bus from Katsuta Station.

**When is the nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park?**
Usually from mid to late April into early May. The timing moves with the spring weather; in 2026 the peak came in mid-April. Check the park's bloom report before you go.

**Is there a rail pass for flower trips?**
Visitors with a non-Japanese passport can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass for JR trips such as Mito, Hitachi Seaside Park, Ashikaga and Lake Kawaguchi, and the SEIBU 1Day Pass for Kinchakuda and Chichibu. Limited express seats on Seibu cost extra.

**Do I need to book anything?**
Most flower parks sell tickets at the gate. Reserved limited express seats, such as the Seibu Laview and the Fuji Excursion, sell out on peak weekends, so book those early. Some temples, such as Hasedera in Kamakura, have used timed tickets in hydrangea season.

**Can I combine two places in one day?**
Some pairs work: Kairakuen with Hitachi Seaside Park in late March, when the last plums meet the first daffodils, or Hitsujiyama with the town of Chichibu. Most fields are best enjoyed slowly, so one big place a day is usually plenty.

**What if the flowers are late or early?**
It happens most years. Festival dates stay fixed while the bloom moves, so follow the official bloom report and be ready to shift your trip by a week.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flower-day-trips