In this article, we will introduce recommended rose gardens across Japan. We will also explain the best seasons to visit and the different varieties of roses, which vary by area.
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When is the season for roses in Japan? Can we see them in June?
If you want to see roses in Japan, you would want to visit during their peak season. We will explain when is the best time to see them in Japan and when they gradually start to color.
When is the rose season in Japan?
Roses, which reach their peak twice a year. The spring roses start to color gradually from early June and reach their peak around July. The autumn roses start to color from September and reach their peak around October.
The blooming period varies depending on the area. In the warm southern regions, the colors appear earlier than in the northern areas, so when planning your travel schedule, take this into account.
Where can you see roses in Japan?
Although they can be seen all over Japan, the variety and color differ depending on the region, greatly changing the impression of the flowers. Please refer to the following chapters for more details when you visit.
1. Hokkaido Prefecture | Iwamizawa Park
In Iwamizawa Park in Hokkaido, there is a rose garden that spans about 40,000 square meters. There, about 630 varieties and 8,000 plants of roses, including the Rosa rugosa, a species of rose native to Hokkaido, bloom wildly, beautifully coloring the entire area.
In the Welcome Rose Garden, flowers with a repeating blooming nature, such as shrub roses and floribunda roses, are planted, so you can fully enjoy the beautiful roses.
The best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-July and from mid-September to mid-October. The autumn roses that shine against the backdrop of mountain foliage are also wonderful, so you can enjoy them across seasons.
- Address: 794 Shibun-cho, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido
- Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00
- Best viewing period: Mid-June to mid-July & mid-September to mid-October
2. Ibaraki Prefecture | Ibaraki Flower Park
"See, Smell, Taste, Touch, Listen" is the concept of Ibaraki Flower Park, where you can enjoy roses with all five senses. It was renewed in 2021 and has been transformed into an even more attractive rose garden, so please come and visit.
There are about 900 varieties of roses in the park, blooming in vibrant colors such as red, pink, yellow, and white. The best time to see the roses is from mid-May to mid-June in spring and from late September to early November in autumn.
Not only can you see with your eyes, but you can also enjoy in various ways, making it an attractive spot that stimulates all five senses.
- Address: 200 Shimoaoyagi, Ishioka, Ibaraki
- Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
- Best viewing period: Late May to mid-June & late September to early November
3. Gunma Prefecture | Shikishima Park Rose Garden
Shikishima Park Rose Garden, located in Maebashi City, known for its thriving cut rose production. Since its renewal in 2008, it has been reborn as a rose garden reminiscent of medieval European court gardens.
There are about 600 species and 7,000 rose beds and English gardens, and a rose garden festival is held to coincide with the best viewing time. During the period, the garden is lit up, allowing you to enjoy the flowers with a different expression from the daytime.
There is also a corner in the rose garden where you can learn about the history of roses through rose and panel exhibitions, deepening your knowledge.
- Address: 262 Shikishima-cho, Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00-17:00
- Best viewing period: Mid-May to early June, late October to early November
Find activities in Gunma Prefecture
4. Tokyo Metropolis | Former Furukawa Garden
The former Furukawa Garden is located on the grounds of a stately Western-style mansion in Kita Ward, Tokyo. In this Western-style garden, about 100 varieties and 200 plants of roses bloom in full glory, and you can enjoy an extraordinary picturesque view along with the plants of each season. The best time to visit is from mid-May to late June in spring, and from mid-October to late November in autumn, when it is crowded with many tourists.
A Rose Festival is held in time for the best time to see the roses, and events such as concerts and garden guides are also held at the same time. Why not spend an elegant moment while enjoying the gorgeous and rich fragrance of roses?
- Address: 1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hours: 9:00～17:00
- Best viewing period: Mid-May to late June & Mid-October to late November
5. Yamanashi Prefecture | Yamanashi Prefectural Flower Center - Heidi's Village
Immerse yourself in the world of the anime 'Heidi, Girl of the Alps' at the themed village, Heidi's Village. The main feature of this place is the longest rose corridor in Japan, stretching 230m. This area is also a popular spot for social media, attracting many tourists.
The best season to visit is during the rose season in June. The park is enveloped in vibrant roses, with 1,200 varieties and about 7,000 roses in full bloom. The beautiful scenery is filled with colorful roses in red, purple, yellow, pink, and white.
There are restaurants and souvenir shops also within the park. Particularly recommended is the "Rose Soft". It's a soft serve ice cream with a vanilla base and a gentle rose scent, providing a soothing treat for your tired body after walking around the park.
- Address: 2471 Asao, Akeno Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 (April 1-July 31/August 1-November 30)
- 9:00-21:00 (December 1-December 31)
- 9:00-17:00 (January 2-March 31)
- Best viewing period: Late May to June
Find activities in Yamanashi Prefecture
6. Hyogo Prefecture | Suma Rikyu Park in Kobe City
Suma Ward, Kobe City, known as a bedroom town, is close to the center of Kobe. A place of relaxation for the citizens is Suma Rikyu Park. In fact, its predecessor was the imperial villa "Muko Rikyu". The sophisticated atmosphere still remains in the park.
Particularly impressive is the rose garden of the nobility in the European-style fountain garden. About 300 types and 4,000 roses bloom in the park in spring and autumn. Looking at the symmetrically designed garden from the rest house, you will feel as if you are in Europe. This is a park you should definitely visit, along with a walk around the exotic city of Kobe.
- Address: 1-1 Higashi Suma, Suma Ward, Kobe City
- Opening hours: 9:00-17:30 ※Open until 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays from May 11th to June 2nd
- Best time to visit: Early May to late May, mid-October to mid-November
7. Hyogo Prefecture | Aramaki Rose Park
Aramaki Rose Park in Hyogo Prefecture is home to about 10,000 roses blooming in a park of about 1.7 hectares. The best time to visit is from May to June and from October to November, where you can enjoy about 250 varieties of roses.
It is also characterized by corners of varieties such as Tenshin Otome and Madame Violet, which are famous worldwide and made in Itami City, and corners named after Hasselt City in Belgium, with which Itami City has a sister city relationship.
- Address: 6-5 Aramaki, Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00-17:00 *From May 15th to June 30th, 9:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on Tuesdays)
- Best viewing period: Mid-May to mid-June, mid-October to mid-November
Find activities in Hyogo Prefecture
8. Kagoshima Prefecture | Kanoya Rose Garden
Boasting one of the largest rose gardens in Japan, the Kanoya Rose Garden in Kagoshima Prefecture. Approximately 35,000 roses bloom within the 8ha site, attracting many tourists during the peak season each year. The warm climate of Kagoshima Prefecture allows the roses to reach their peak earlier than other prefectures, with the Golden Week in early May being the best season. You can enjoy the beautiful rose scenery a step ahead of other areas.
In addition to the original rose "Princess Kanoya", many roses bloom during the spring season. In the park, there are restaurants where you can eat rose curry and rose soft serve, as well as shops that sell rose-related goods, so you can enjoy the charm of roses all day long.
Because you can feel romantic with roses blooming all over, it was recognized as a "Lover's Sanctuary" in 2006. Please come and visit with your couple or family.
- Address: 1250 Hamada-cho, Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00 to 17:00
- Best time to visit: Late April to mid-June, late October to November
Find activities in Kagoshima Prefecture
Let's visit the famous rose gardens in Japan!
Roses, with their glamorous impression, captivate all who see them. There are numerous rose gardens throughout Japan, some of which are world-renowned. Furthermore, the scent of roses has a relaxing effect, making it perfect for those seeking healing!
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