Dreamy Flower Seas So Beautiful They Seem Unreal: Japan’s Top 6 Azalea Spots

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department

Every year during late spring in April and May, after Japan’s cherry blossom season ends, vibrant and colorful azalea bushes bloom next, with flowers in white, pink, purple, red, and more bursting forth. Like cherry blossoms, these blooms are an indispensable part of Japan’s spring floral scenery. Many of Japan’s azalea spots are located at ancient temples, adding romantic charm to these historic sites.

1. Tokyo – Nezu Shrine
Located in Tokyo’s Bunkyo district, Nezu Shrine has a history of over 300 years. From April to May, up to 3,000 azalea bushes burst into bloom, and the historic shrine grounds, paired with vast fields of colorful flowers, add a unique hue to Tokyo in spring. This year’s Bunkyo Azalea Festival runs from April 7 to May 6.
 
Address: 28-9, Nezu 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Flower Season: April 7 – May 6, 2018

2. Nagasaki Prefecture – Nitai Ridge
Located in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula on Nagasaki Island, Unzen is Japan’s first geopark and scenic destination. Azaleas are the flower that symbolizes Unzen’s spring, and among them, Nitai Ridge at an altitude of 1,080 meters is the most famous. Every year from mid to late May, about 2 million Unzen azaleas bloom magnificently, covering the entire Shimabara Peninsula. 

Location: 551 Unzen, Yunohama, Unzencho, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Unzen Ropeway:
April – October: 08:31 – 17:23 (last ascent at 17:03)
November – March: 08:31 – 17:11 (last ascent at 16:51)

3. Saga Prefecture – Daikoshin Temple
With a history of 1,300 years, Daikoshin Temple is located at the foot of Mount Kiyama in Saga. The temple’s most famous event is its annual Azalea Festival, held from mid-April to early May. In its 75,000-square-meter garden, 50,000 vibrantly colored azaleas bloom, creating a stunning and beautiful sea of flowers throughout the temple grounds. 

Address: 3628 Sonobe, Kiyama-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga Prefecture
Hours: 8:30 until sunset; extended to 20:00 during the maple leaf illumination season
Fees: Regular hours – Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 100 yen; during the April–May azalea season and November–December maple leaf season – Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 300 yen