When I visit Japan, I can see how the Japanese people love flowers. One of the best places I've visited to view all kinds of flowers is Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. It’s more famous for the fuji trees (or wisteria) of all colors, but there are much more to see than just fuji!
Lots of different flowers are arranged into various compositions and form picturesque views. You can spend all day in the park as there are also some restaurants, places for relaxation, special ice cream, and shops selling plants and local products. I bought violet color sweets there and treated myself with pink ice cream.
The fuji in Ashikaga Flower Park are usually in full bloom in the beginning of May, but for the entire month of May, the park looks like paradise with all those blooming flowers and trees. Ashikaga park is very crowded, but enjoyable anyway. In recent years, the park has also become very popular in the winter season for putting on a massive illumination display.
To get to the Ashikaga Flower Park, please take JR Utsunomiya Line, JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and transfer to the JR Ryomo Line. Get off at Tomita Station, one station before Ashikaga Station, from there it is a 15-minute walk to the park. The one-way ride takes about two hours by regular trains. I stayed for a night in Ashikaga, so it was very convenient as I spent the whole day in the park and also stayed late to watch the summer illumination.
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Find out more about Ashikaga Flower Park.
