Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Cultural Holidays Environment Festivities Summer
Where:: Japan
Date change rule:: Every April 16 through May 29
Holiday emoji:: 🌸

The Fuji Shibazakura Festival paints the landscape in vibrant hues every April 16 through May 29, near Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. This annual spectacle celebrates the blooming shibazakura, or moss pink, creating a stunning carpet of flowers. Plan your visit to witness this natural marvel, explore local culture, and capture unforgettable photos.

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Expected Fuji Shibazakura Festival Deals

As the Fuji Shibazakura Festival approaches, travelers can anticipate a variety of deals on flights, accommodations, and tour packages to the Mount Fuji region. In previous years, major Japanese airlines like ANA and Japan Airlines have offered promotional fares, while travel agencies such as JTB and HIS provided bundled festival experiences. Local hotels and ryokans often feature special packages including festival tickets and shuttle services. Photography retailers like Fujifilm may run promotions on cameras and lenses, perfect for capturing the stunning scenery. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 16 approaches.

Platform Guide for Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FujiShibazakuraFestival. Share your most stunning photos and reels of the vibrant moss pink fields against Mount Fuji.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FujiShibazakura. Create short, engaging videos showcasing the festival’s beauty, local food, and travel tips.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FujiShibazakuraFestival. Share your favorite festival memories and connect with other enthusiasts.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Hero

Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was a renowned Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period, best known for his woodblock print series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.' His iconic works, particularly 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa,' helped popularize the majestic beauty of Mount Fuji globally. Hokusai's art continues to inspire appreciation for Japan's natural landscapes, including the vibrant scenes celebrated at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival.

History of Fuji Shibazakura Festival

This floral festival takes place for about six weeks, although visiting is recommended from early to mid-May. There are over 800,000 shibazakura flowers on display during the festival, more than anywhere else around Tokyo. A striking landscape is created with pink moss, anemones, muscaris, and tulips. The scientific name for shibazakura is ‘Phlox subulata’. It is a creeping plant with vivid colors. The flowers bloom just after the cherry blossom trees from April to late May. It is a popular location for photographers due to its highly photogenic nature. It is the perfect contrast of pink flowers, the blue sky, and the majestic mountain.

The festival is a popular destination for people traveling through the Five Lakes area during spring. Lake Motosoku lies on a flat expanse, providing a breath-taking view of Mount Fuji in the background — even when its snowy top is covered with clouds. The grounds are expertly laid out with attractive features such as a small lake and a lookout point to captivate the eye of the visitor. Paths are made to be accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The event also includes a food festival that features a variety of Japanese dishes. Visitors can stop by at one of the many food stalls offering Japanese street food. Options include a special dish from Yamanashi Prefecture, with meat and noodles, and both local and national favorites such as fried rice, bean-paste buns, and dumplings. Some classic Japanese desserts are flavored with the sakura flower for the occasion.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival timeline

18th Century

The Earliest Phlox is Cultivated

The earliest phlox is cultivated and sent from Virginia to Europe.

1947

Tokyo’s National Bird is Chosen

The green pheasant is the national bird of Japan.

1996

The National Tree is Chosen

Tokyo’s national tree is the Ginkgo biloba which is a deciduous tree reaching 30 meters in height.

2008

The Festival Begins

The festival is held for the first time at Motosuko resort.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Local businesses around the Fuji Five Lakes area can capitalize on the Fuji Shibazakura Festival’s popularity. Hotels and guesthouses can offer themed packages with festival tickets and shuttle services. Restaurants and cafes can feature seasonal menus incorporating local ingredients and flower-inspired dishes. Souvenir shops should stock unique shibazakura-themed merchandise, from postcards to local crafts. Tour operators can create guided excursions that combine the festival with other attractions like Lake Motosuko and nearby hot springs, catering to both domestic and international tourists.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival FAQs

When is Fuji Shibazakura Festival?

In 2027, the festival will take place from Friday, April 16 through Saturday, May 29, inviting visitors to experience the stunning moss pink blooms for another spectacular season.

How many shibazakura flowers are at the festival?

The festival grounds are home to around half a million shibazakura flowers, meticulously cultivated to ensure a dense and vibrant display. These plants span several varieties, contributing to the rich tapestry of colors.

What is the best time to visit the Fuji Shibazakura Festival?

For optimal viewing, aim to visit the festival during the first two to three weeks of May, when the moss pink flowers are usually at their fullest. Checking the official festival website for bloom status updates is also recommended.

What is shibazakura?

Often mistaken for cherry blossoms due to its similar appearance, shibazakura is a different plant that grows close to the ground. Its name combines ‘shiba’ (lawn) and ‘zakura’ (cherry), reflecting its lawn-like growth and cherry-like flowers.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Activities

Attend the festival
The festival is held for a few weeks so you can find time to visit. There's nothing like enjoying an amazing view in person. Take plenty of photos to share online.
Get some flowers
It’s always pleasant having fresh flowers around because just looking at them makes you happy. Buy some of your favorite flowers and smile whenever you see them.
Learn about Japan
Do some research about the country that created such a beautiful environment. You may find some part of their culture you really like.

5 Interesting Facts About Shibazakura

It has other names
It is also called pink moss or lawn cherry as it resembles the cherry blossom.
It hails from the U.S.
This small ground-covering plant is native to the United States.
True colors
Apart from pink, it also comes in other shades including red, violet, purple, and white.
It is super popular
Moss moss is a very popular flower in Japan, especially during spring.
It is versatile
With its mat-forming habit and different shades, it can be grown as a lawn in different designs.

Why We Love Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Shibazakura grows quickly
The flowering plant grows quite quickly and starts blooming in early April. It is hardy and easily covers the grounds where it is planted.
There are several flower varieties
The festival grounds feature six varieties of the Shibazakura flower. They are called Autumn Rose, Mcdaniel’s Cushion, Scarlet Frame, Little Dot, Oakington Blue-Eyes, and Tama-no-Nagare.
The holiday is also a food festival
There is a lot of food available at the site of the festival. People can enjoy local Japanese dishes and drinks.