Japan, while known for its otherworldly architecture and love for noodles, it also has a deep love and history for flowers.
Flowers are at the center of everything in Japan. With flower festivals and more, the culture takes pride in the way they welcome flowers into the traditions.
Whether you are visiting the magical world of Japan or just want to know more about its wildlife, we have got you covered!
Below are 9 gorgeous types of flowers that you can find in Japan. From flowers that look like daisies to others that are a little more unique, we have something to inspire everyone.
Let’s dive in!
1. Kosumosu (Cosmos)
Kosumosu, or Comos, are wonderful flowers that appear daisy-like in appearance but have more structure.
In order to create delicate cup-shaped flower blossoms in pretty shades of pink, red, maroon, purple, orange, yellow, and white, they produce neat arrays of petals that surround brilliant yellow or orange centers. The size of the blooms ranges from three to five inches.
This vibrant flower has various meanings depending on where in the country they grow.
They represent cleanliness or orderliness in hanakotoba and the west, and this is usually attributed to their orderly arrangement of petals. However, they stand for serenity, tranquility, innocence, love, and harmony.
They are commonly spotted at Lake Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park around late August through to October.
While they offer stunning colors that are often associated with summer, they bloom in the fall which makes them perfect for offering some variety and color in your garden.
2. Hasu (Lotus)
Lotus flowers are often associated with Asian culture and are truly magnificent flowers. This aquatic plant grows tall with roots that go deep into the mud. The flowers, however, continue to emerge from the filth, pure, and lovely.
The background of lotus flowers dates back thousands of years. They are found naturally in many Southeast Asian and Australian nations, as well as in old Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphics and folklore.
Due to their natural habitat being muddy swamps while blooming an almost perfect flower, it is often considered a symbol of purity, rebirth, and strength.
It is frequently used as a sign of purity and enlightenment in Japan. The flower also stands for chastity, separation from the one you adore, and purity in hanakotoba.
Lotus flowers have a short blooming season of mid-July to mid-August and can often be found in wet, muddy areas such as swamps and ponds.
In Japan, you can find them at Gyoda Kodaihasu-no-sato Lotus Festival which takes place all throughout the summer.
3. Suisen (Japanese Daffodil)
While daffodils in the western world are the earliest to bloom in early spring, the Japanese Daffodil blooms in late winter, they bloom to show off their crystal white petals with vibrant orange and yellow trumpet-shaped centers.
This flower is native to meadows and woods with rich Earth in southern Europe and North Africa, however, it is becoming more popular in other areas of the world.
You can easily find Japanese Daffodils in more rural areas of Japan, or you can visit the Jogashima Park Narcissus Festival in Miura City to see some memorable displays of daffodils and other blooming flowers.
4. Kinmokusei (Orange Osmanthus)
Orange osmanthus, also known as orange tea olive, is a tiny tree-like shrub. Small, fragrant, tangerine-orange blossom clusters are produced by it.
The orange osmanthus has a scent reminiscent of peaches, jasmine, or orange blossoms, and it will make any landscape more enticing.
Due to its associations with real love, faithfulness, fertility, and peace, orange osmanthus is frequently used in bridal bouquets. It is tradition for the bride to gift her new family with Orange Osmanthus to signify peace and unity.
The flower in hanakotoba symbolizes truth or a noble individual. However, colorful flowers have a variety of symbolic meanings, including serenity, fertility, true love, faithfulness, elegance, protection, good luck, wealth, happiness, and pleasure.
The soft orange blooms can be found all across Japan in Deppu, Fukuoka, Yoshitomi, and Oita Prefecture. They bloom in September and only have a life cycle of around 4 weeks. So you have to be quick!
5. Ume (Japanese Plum Blossom)
The Japanese plum (, ume; also known as the Japanese apricot), which was first brought to Japan from China, has long been a significant part of Japanese society. The cherry tree ultimately surpassed it in terms of popularity.
The Japanese Plum Blossom is one of the earliest flowers to bloom in Japan. It mostly blooms in February and March while it may bloom even earlier in other parts of the country.
The majority of plum blooms have five petals and come in a variety of hues, from white to dark pink.
Additionally, some varieties with weeping branches (shidare-ume) and more than five petals (yae-ume) have been grown. Plum blooms, in contrast to cherry blossoms, have a potent, sweet scent.
They symbolize perseverance, resilience, and purity. In hanakotoba, they symbolize faithfulness and elegance. You can spot Ume at the Bunkyo Plum Festival.
6. Rurikarakusa (Nemophila)
Nemophila is an annual plant that is indigenous to North America and is referred to as Rurikarakusa in Japanese. The plant can reach a height of 20 centimeters, and its flowers range in size from 2 to 3 cm.
Despite not being indigenous to Japan, there are numerous locations where you can see them. The most well-known location for Nemophila in all of Japan is probably Hitachi Seaside Park.
The plant has five bell-shaped petals. Starting with a milky white center that fades into a gorgeous periwinkle blue. They are a symbol of success in various cultures.
7. Asago (Morning Glory)
Morning Glory, Frost-sensitive Ipomoea tricolor is an annual climber that produces stunning, exotic-looking, colorful flowers on quickly twining stalks covered in heart-shaped green leaves.
The plants’ flowering behavior, in which saucer-shaped blooms open early and last only one day before fading in hot conditions by mid-afternoon, gives rise to the name “morning glory.”
This plant creates a lovely display for months, flowering through summer and into early fall because many flowers are borne in succession.
They stand for affection and innocence in Japan. They are the embodiment of willful vows in hanakotoba. Morning glories are symbolic of unrequited love and obsession in the western floral language.
They begin to bloom throughout July and often last until September. You can spot them at the Daisen Park Japanese Garden or in wetter areas where the soil is moist.
8. Sakurasou (Japanese Primrose)
Primula japonica, or more commonly known as Japanese Primrose is a gorgeous perennial that comes in a range of shades such as deep pink, vibrant purple, and fiery red. The flowers perch upon tall, vertical stems with bright green leaves in the middle.
The Japanese Primrose is native to Japan and thrives in damp areas with lots of shade. They bloom in the late spring into early summer and are excellent for gardens, bog gardens, streams, and ponds for a vibrant border.
The Japanese primrose, which in Hanakotoba means “desperate,” is also a representation of beauty and enduring love in Japan. Additionally, it represents passion, affection, and allure.
You can catch a wonderful display of Japanese Primrose at the Sakurasou Festival in April in the city of Saitama. This is just one of the many cities that hold the festival across the country.
9. Ayame (Iris)
The genus Iris contains more than 250 varieties. The towering bearded irises (Iris germanica), which grow to a height of two to three feet, are the most well-known iris species.
Three outer hanging petals, or “falls,” and three interior upright petals, or “standards,” make up their distinctive six-petalled flowers.
Iris blossoms in the most common shade are bluish-purple. Even so, they come into blossom in a variety of shades and tints, including pink, purple, blue, golden yellow, pale yellow, maroon, black, mauve, and white.
Irises are a symbol of hope, trust, courage, and wisdom in the west.
Most species of Iris bloom in the summer months of June and July, bringing a wild display of color to any environment they inhabit.
When visiting Japan, you can find a stunning display at the Nahai Ayame Park Iris Festival. This takes place while the Iris flowers are in bloom and have over a million Irises in bloom with around 500 species.
If you plan on cultivating Irise flowers in your garden be sure to give them an area with plenty of sunlight and provide them with enough space to not be shaded out by other plants.
Final Thoughts
Japan is home to endless species of plants that are magical in their own light. While the country is known for its cherry blossoms, there are thousands of species to be discovered.
Above are 9 of the most stunning flowers in Japan that can be spotted in gardens, or along the side of the road. All you have to do is book the flights and make sure to keep your eyes wide open.
Check out some incredible flowers and see a new country!
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
- Interesting Flowers That Start With A - July 21, 2023
- Interesting Flowers Beginning With H - July 21, 2023
- 14 Fascinating Flowers That Begin With C - July 20, 2023