flowers – Super Cheap Japan

Biei

Biei (美瑛) is known all over Japan as one of the best places to go for lavender viewing. It’s also a great place to go other times of the year due to its beautiful countryside hills that make for a great walk or bike ride. There is lots to do here, so spend at leastContinue reading “Biei”

Naka-Furano

Naka-Furano (中富良野), in Furano, is one of the best places to come for flower viewing in Hokkaido, along with Biei. As it’s all free it’s great for budget travelers, and has plenty to do to fill a whole day. The main flower season is between June and September. Lavender is usually best around mid July to theContinue reading “Naka-Furano”

Three of the Best Flower Parks in Japan

The Chubu area of Japan, which is the central region of the main island of Honshu is home to three of the best flower parks in Japan. The parks are truly spectacular in each of the four seasons in Japan, but really come alive with the colours of spring during April and May. You canContinue reading “Three of the Best Flower Parks in Japan”

Beautiful English garden with a Japanese twist – Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo

Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a really nice place to go in the summer or spring. It’s a strange mix of a traditional English garden with a traditional Japanese garden. Two gardens for the price of one! During May and June the roses are in full bloom, so we had a look. The English manor house isContinue reading “Beautiful English garden with a Japanese twist – Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo”

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens (旧古河庭園) could be described as a half English, half Japanese garden. One half looks like a traditional English garden, with a manor house and roses, while the other half has a traditional Japanese pond and stone structures. Budget travel tips Sakura Hot Spring and Rikugien Garden are within walking distance, so save some money andContinue reading “Kyu-Furukawa Gardens”

Pink and white flowered hills of Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu

Saitama, right above Tokyo on the map, is often forgotten as a tourist destination. It’s a quiet prefecture that never gets much attention, and therefore is not featured much in guide books. But Chichibu is a great place for travelers on a budget with it’s large collection of mountains, cheap hot springs and Hitsujiyama Park. During early April to early MayContinue reading “Pink and white flowered hills of Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu”

Chichibu

Chichibu is a quiet town in the mountains to the west of Tokyo, best known for it’s festivals. During other times of the year there is not much going on, but it’s a great place to go hiking. Budget travel tips Best to come here only during a festival or for a day or twoContinue reading “Chichibu”

Spring flowers at Nezu Shrine’s Azalea Festival

While Nezu Shrine is just normal shrine during most of the year, it truly becomes unique during it’s Azalea Festival. From around early April to early May, the shrine’s garden is filled with a stunning collection of super colourful plants. There is a long path of ‘torii’ gates in the garden. Be sure to duck or you will hitContinue reading “Spring flowers at Nezu Shrine’s Azalea Festival”

Nezu Shrine

Nezu Shrine is a small shrine complex and garden, famous for it’s yearly Azalea Festival. It has around 3000 azaleas, while the shrine itself is a great example of Edo period architecture. Budget travel tips It’s quite a small shrine complex, so only come here during the Azalea Festival in early April to early May. How toContinue reading “Nezu Shrine”