Roses are seen as one of the world's most symbolic flowers, and there are a host of different gardens across Japan where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of them. This list covers five rose gardens in five different prefectures to get you started.
Echigo Hillside Park Rose Garden, Niigata
From around early June to mid-June each year, Nagaoka's Echigo Hillside Park is home to a rose festival, with blooms in a variety of different colors and from different regions of the world. Along with the visual treat that the roses present, there are also a range of rose-themed items for sale, including rose-flavored soft serve ice cream at the on-site Rose Cafe.
Mitsumata 1950-1, Miyamotohigashikatamachi, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2082
Kanoya Rose Garden, Kagoshima
Fun fact for you: Kagoshima's Kanoya Rose Garden lays claim to being Japan's largest rose garden. It spans around 8 hectares, with a whopping 35,000 roses in 1500 different varieties to enjoy. If you get hungry after strolling around and appreciating the blooms, there is even an on-site restaurant with some unique menu items - you'll find things like rose-flavored soft serve ice cream and a rose curry that comes served in a pinkish hue.
1250 番地 Hamadacho, Kanoya, Kagoshima 893-0053
Ishida Rose Garden, Akita
The Ishida Rose Garden is located in Odate, Akita Prefecture, and the grounds are home to around 500 different types of these beautiful flowers for visitors to enjoy. The garden hosts an annual rose festival to celebrate the flowers in all their glory, which also includes rose flavored sweets and rose saplings available for purchase, and an evening illumination event. Best of all, entrance is completely free!
10 Sannomaru, Odate, Akita 017-0897
Keisei Rose Garden, Chiba
The Keisei Rose Garden in Chiba boasts 10,000 roses comprising of 1,600 varieties, and they tend to be at their best around the mid-May timeframe. During the blooming period there are typically a host of other fun events, including rose tea being served to guests, musical performances, and more. A full rundown of the events during rose season can be found on the garden's official website.
755 番地 Owada Shinden, Yachiyo, Chiba 276-0046
Kyu Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo
Tokyo's Kyu Furukawa Gardens combine the beauty of both Japanese and Western-style garden design, and the scenic grounds are home to an impressive number of rose varieties. At the garden shop, visitors are also able to purchase a range of rose-flavored goodies, including rose jam, rose yokan, and rose ice cream.
1 Chome-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0024
*Do note that in 2021 the garden is closed during rose season to prevent against the spread of coronavirus.
