# Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year

Cherry blossoms get the headlines, but Tokyo is in flower almost all year: plum trees at shrines in February, azaleas and wisteria in spring, irises and hydrangeas in the June rain, lotus in summer and chrysanthemums in November. Most of these are small, local festivals at shrines, parks and old gardens, with a few stalls and far fewer people than hanami. The list below is updated daily with the flower festivals coming up next.

## How the flower year works

Each flower has a week or two at its best (migoro), and that window moves with the weather. A warm winter brings the plums forward, a cool spring holds back the wisteria, and the rainy season decides when hydrangeas peak. Festival dates are set months ahead, so the flowers are not always at their best on the first or last day. Parks, gardens and shrines post bloom updates on their websites and social accounts, usually with words like 咲き始め (starting to bloom), 見頃 (at their best) and 散り始め (starting to fall).

Cherry blossoms and autumn leaves have their own guides; this one covers everything else, roughly in calendar order. Bunkyo ward alone runs five flower festivals a year: plums and chrysanthemums at [Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1), cherry trees on [Harimazaka](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%92%AD%E7%A3%A8%E5%9D%82%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E5%B0%8F%E7%9F%B3%E5%B7%9D4%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), azaleas at [Nezu Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A5%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A51-28-9) and hydrangeas at [Hakusan Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B1%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B15-31-26).

- Weekday mornings are the calmest time at almost every flower spot. By noon on a weekend, garden paths can be shoulder to shoulder.
- Shrine grounds are usually free, while old gardens and big parks charge a small entry fee. Carry cash for gates and stalls.
- Tripods are often restricted on narrow garden paths. Check the signs at the entrance.

- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)

## Plum blossoms: February into March

Ume bloom in the cold, usually from February into early March, a few weeks ahead of the cherry trees. The scent is the point: on a still day you smell a white plum tree before you see it. [Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1), a shrine to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane near [Yushima Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%9A%20%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-47-10), holds the Bunkyo Plum Festival among around 300 trees, most of them white. It is also the shrine students visit before entrance exams, so in plum season its racks of wooden ema prayer plaques are packed. On weekends there are usually stalls with amazake and regional food, and performances on a small stage.

[Hanegi Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%BE%BD%E6%A0%B9%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B04-38-52) in Setagaya, a short walk from [Umegaoka Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E6%A2%85%E3%83%B6%E4%B8%98%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E6%A2%85%E4%B8%981-31-21), has around 650 red and white plum trees on a gentle hill and hosts the Setagaya Plum Festival, with stalls and an outdoor tea ceremony on some days. The park is free. [Koishikawa Korakuen](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%9F%B3%E5%B7%9D%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD1-6-6) near Iidabashi is an Edo-period garden built for a feudal lord, with a smaller plum grove set among ponds and stone bridges. It charges a small fee and is much calmer.

- Plum season is still winter. Dress warmly, especially if you plan to sit outdoors for tea.

- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Events in Setagaya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/setagaya.md)

## Azaleas, wisteria and spring fields

In April, [Nezu Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A5%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A51-28-9) near [Nezu Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%9A%20%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A5%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A51-3-5) turns its hillside into a slope of pink, red and white azaleas for the Bunkyo Azalea Festival. The shrine grounds are free, but the azalea garden has a small entry fee during the festival. The shrine's tunnel of red torii gates sits right next to the slope. On weekends the approach fills with food stalls.

From late April into early May, [Kameido Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B8%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B1%9F%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B83-6-1) in Koto ward is the classic wisteria spot. Long purple trellises hang over a pond crossed by arched drum bridges, the scene Hiroshige printed, now with Tokyo Skytree behind it. During the wisteria festival there are stalls and the trellises are lit up after dark. It is about 15 minutes on foot from [Kameido Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B8%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B1%9F%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B85-1-1&query_place_id=ChIJkew38sSIGGARDstm-3SRlDM).

For open fields, [Showa Kinen Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E5%96%B6%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E7%AB%8B%E5%B7%9D%E5%B8%82%E7%B7%91%E7%94%BA3173) in Tachikawa, a large government-run park in west Tokyo, plants hundreds of thousands of tulips and a field of blue nemophila that peaks from mid-April into May. The famous nemophila hill 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) is in Ibaraki, not Tokyo: a long day trip of about two hours each way, and very busy at peak.

- Golden Week often falls at wisteria peak. Go early on a weekday if you can.

- → [Golden Week in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/golden-week.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Events in Koto](https://eventstokyo.com/en/koto.md)

## Irises and hydrangeas in the rainy season

June is tsuyu, the rainy season, and this is when many gardens look their best. [Horikiri Shobuen](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A0%80%E5%88%87%E8%8F%96%E8%92%B2%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%91%9B%E9%A3%BE%E5%8C%BA%E5%A0%80%E5%88%872-19-1) in Katsushika, about 10 minutes on foot from [Horikirishobuen Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E6%88%90%20%E5%A0%80%E5%88%87%E8%8F%96%E8%92%B2%E5%9C%92%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%91%9B%E9%A3%BE%E5%8C%BA%E5%A0%80%E5%88%875-1-1) on the Keisei Line, is a compact Edo-era garden with thousands of irises (hanashobu) in purple, white and blue, many of them old Edo varieties. Entry is free. The Katsushika Iris Festival, usually held in June, is shared with the much larger [Mizumoto Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%83%BD%E7%AB%8B%E6%B0%B4%E5%85%83%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%91%9B%E9%A3%BE%E5%8C%BA%E6%B0%B4%E5%85%83%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%923-2) in the north of the ward.

[Hakusan Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B1%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B15-31-26) in Bunkyo, near [Hakusan Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%83%BD%E5%96%B6%E4%B8%89%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%9A%20%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B1%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E7%99%BD%E5%B1%B15-36-10) on the Toei Mita Line, holds the Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (ajisai matsuri) with around 3,000 plants, and its small Fuji mound covered in hydrangeas is usually open only during the festival. [Takahata Fudo](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E9%87%91%E5%89%9B%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%97%A5%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1733), a large temple in Hino next to [Takahatafudo Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E7%8E%8B%20%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%97%A5%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1139) on the Keio Line, has thousands of hydrangeas along a trail on the hill behind its halls, and the grounds are free. [Meigetsuin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%9C%88%E9%99%A2%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E9%8E%8C%E5%80%89%E5%B8%82%E5%B1%B1%E3%83%8E%E5%86%85189) in Kamakura, known as the hydrangea temple, is a popular day trip, but in June expect an entry fee and long queues, especially at weekends.

- Irises and hydrangeas look their best on a grey, drizzly day, and light rain keeps the crowds smaller.
- Wear shoes that can get wet. Garden paths and temple hillsides get muddy and slippery.

- → [What to do in Tokyo when it rains](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/rainy-day.md)
- → [Events in Katsushika](https://eventstokyo.com/en/katsushika.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)

## Lotus, sunflowers, cosmos and chrysanthemums

In midsummer, lotus covers part of [Shinobazu Pond](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8D%E5%BF%8D%E6%B1%A0%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92) in Ueno Park around the Bentendo hall, usually at its fullest from mid-July to mid-August. Lotus flowers open early in the morning and close by around midday, so go early. Kiyose, a city in north-west Tokyo, plants around 100,000 sunflowers on farmland for its summer sunflower festival. Entry is free and a shuttle bus has run from [Kiyose Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A5%BF%E6%AD%A6%E6%B1%A0%E8%A2%8B%E7%B7%9A%20%E6%B8%85%E7%80%AC%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%85%E7%80%AC%E5%B8%82%E5%85%83%E7%94%BA1-2-4) in recent years, but on the busiest days advance booking has sometimes been required, so check the [city's page](https://www.city.kiyose.lg.jp/bunkasportskankou/shinaimidokoro/himawari.html) first.

In autumn the Flower Hill at [Showa Kinen Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E5%96%B6%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E7%AB%8B%E5%B7%9D%E5%B8%82%E7%B7%91%E7%94%BA3173) turns pink and white with cosmos, usually from mid-September through October. November belongs to chrysanthemums. [Shinjuku Gyoen](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%BE%A1%E8%8B%91%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%8C%BA%E5%86%85%E8%97%A4%E7%94%BA11) holds a formal exhibition in its Japanese garden in the first half of the month, with plants trained into traditional shapes under wooden pavilions; the usual garden fee applies. [Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1) hosts the Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival with around 2,000 pots and chrysanthemum dolls themed on the year's NHK historical drama.

- Summer in Ueno and Kiyose is hot and humid. Bring water and a hat, as the sunflower fields have little shade.
- Flower events often mark stalls or stage shows 雨天中止 (cancelled in rain), while the garden itself stays open.

- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Events in Shinjuku](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shinjuku.md)

## Plum blossoms

- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry

## Cosmos and chrysanthemums

- **[Koganei Park Cosmos Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/koganei-park-cosmos-festival-2026)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Koganei Park Tsutsuji-yama Plaza · price on the official site
- **[Cosmos Flower Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/cosmos-flower-festival-2026)** — Sat, Sep 12, 2026 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Showa Memorial Park (Tachikawa) · ¥450

## More flower events

- **[Fukagawa Hanachozu 2026 Autumn](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/fukagawa-hanachozu-2026-autumn)** — Fri, Oct 23, 2026 – Fri, Oct 30, 2026 (JST) · Around Monzen-nakacho Station (Koto) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Rose Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-rose-festival-2)** — Tue, Oct 6, 2026 09:30 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Jindai Botanical Park (Chofu) · ¥200〜¥500

## Questions people ask

**When is plum blossom season in Tokyo?**
Usually from February into early March, a few weeks before the cherry blossoms. A warm winter can bring it forward, so check the bloom updates of the shrine or park.

**Are flower festivals in Tokyo free?**
Many are. Shrine grounds and public parks like Hanegi Park and Horikiri Shobuen are usually free, while old gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen, Showa Kinen Park and the Nezu Shrine azalea garden charge a small fee.

**Where can I see wisteria in Tokyo?**
Kameido Tenjin in Koto ward is the best known, with trellises over a pond and drum bridges. It usually peaks from late April into early May.

**What is the best place for hydrangeas in Tokyo?**
Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo and Takahata Fudo in Hino are the classic spots inside Tokyo, both in June. Meigetsuin in Kamakura is the famous day trip, with long queues at peak.

**Do flower festivals go ahead in the rain?**
The flowers stay on show and gardens stay open, but stalls and stage events are often cancelled in rain (雨天中止). Hydrangeas and irises actually look best in light rain.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers