It’s not secret I love cherry blossoms are my favorite flowers. That’s one of many reasons I follow Japanese gardens on instagram! But they are not the only renowned flowers in Japan. There are so many other exquisite blossoms from Japan! Here are some traditional Japanese flowers and when you can see them.

1. Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

March to May

Sakura is one of the two national flowers of Japan. 

“Hanami” is the tradition to gather under the cherry tree and enjoy picnics with friends and family. 

There are three cherry trees that are considered Japanese monuments:

• Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima prefecture
• Yamataka Jindai Zakura in Yamanashi prefecture
• Usuzumi Zakura in Gift prefecture.

All three are said to be thousands of years old! If you are a cherry blossom fan, you might like to visit one or all of these ancient cherry trees during your next trip to Japan, and make sure to check out my “Sakura Blossoms by the Lake”

2. Chrysanthemums (Kiku)

October to November

The Japanese passport covers feature a symbol of chrysanthemum because chrysanthemums are one of Japan’s two national flowers.

You can often spot these exquisite blossoms as motifs in Japanese art and as a part of traditional kimono designs.

Some varieties of chrysanthemums are edible. When you order sushi or sashimi in Japanese restaurants, you might find them garnished with a small chrysanthemum flower. 

You are not obligated to eat them, but if you want to try here are how you can eat them:

• Pluck the petals and put them on your sashimi
• Sprinkle the petals in your soy sauce you use for dipping your sushi. 

This not only adds fragrance to your meals, but also adds a burst of bright color (which is an important part of Japanese cuisine). As a bonus, chrysanthemums provide you with essential nutrients such as Vitamin B and Vitamin C.

3. Plum Blossoms 

February to March

In Japan, people celebrate the arrival of spring with “hanami,” a cherished tradition of flower viewing under cherry blossoms.

However, what many don’t realize is that in ancient Japan, hanami took place underneath the plum trees instead of cherry blossoms!

It is intriguing to note that in the ancient collection of Japanese poems known as Man’yoshu, which was compiled during the Nara period (Ad 710 – 784),  there are nearly three times more poems featuring plum blossoms than those that mention cherry blossoms. 

Japanese plum blossoms bloom in late winter and early spring, plum blossoms announce the end of the cold season and the beginning of warmer days.

Now that you uncovered this intriguing piece of history, consider displaying “Plum Blossoms in Spring” on your wall as a conversation starter

4. Wisteria (Fuji)

April to June

Wisteria’s stunning cascade of purple flowers has captured the hearts of the Japanese people for centuries. Here are two examples from ancient times and the present day.

Wisteria’s mention in Japanese literature can be traced back to the pages of “Kojiki,” an old chronicle of Japan’s origin and mythology, where one deity wins the heart of another by presenting wisteria.

Fast forward to the present day, wisteria is still celebrated in the popular anime series, “Demon Slayer” in which you can see beautiful depictions of wisteria blossoms. 

If you are a fan of “Demon Slayer,” you might enjoy amazing wisteria sights in Japan in places like Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture.

Wisteria is called “fuji” like Fuji Mountain. That’s why I created “Fuji’s Wisteria” with both of them.

5. Japanese Camellia (Tsubaki) 

Varies depending on the variety

Japanese camellia come in many varieties. But vastly speaking, most camellia varieties are known for these three features:

• mid-winter blooms
• minimal fragrance
• the unique trait of shedding their entire flower head when their flowering cycle concludes. 

Camellia’s resilience, modesty, and dignified serenity embody Japanese beauty. Sen-No-Rikyu, the pioneering Japanese tea master, was among the first well-known people to grow camellia plant in his garden. His influence made camellia one of the most essential  flowers for Japanese tea ceremonies during the winter season.

It is worth noting that not all varieties of camellias are the same. Some camellia varieties have a strong fragrance, and some lose their petals one by akin to Japanese cherry blossoms. 

If you are a fan of samurai movies, one movie where you can see a beautiful falling camellia losing its petals like cherry blossoms is “Samurai’s Promise,” which I had the pleasure of translating. The Camellia scene is quite beautiful, but the rest of the movie and story are equally fantastic!

 

 

These are just a few of the iconic Japanese flowers. Keep in mind that Japan stretches from south to north, and as such, when these flowers are in bloom will depend on the location. The above guide is a rough idea, and it should work for many of the main tourists’ locations.

Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below and let me know.

 

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