I’ve all the time been a fan of azaleas. And, extra to the purpose, their cousins rhododendrons. In one of many six homes I lived in earlier than the age of 18, we had big rhododendron bushes out entrance; their blooming was considered one of my favourite indicators that spring had lastly arrived.
Curiously, I seen a really comparable form of rhododendron bush on my very first journey to Japan in 2014, strolling by way of the backyard of Kyoto‘s Tenryu-ji temple. Again then, in fact, I didn’t understand that Japan was truly well-known for azaleas, and that I’d someday make a journey with a number of days devoted to chasing them.
Regardless of how or why you turned desirous about azaleas in Japan (and even for those who aren’t in any respect and simply randomly discovered this text), I’m about to spill all of the candy tea. Spring in Japan is about a lot greater than sakura!
Japan’s Azaleas Are Underrated
Japanese azaleas, that are identified within the Japanese language as tsutsuji (つつじ or, a lot much less generally, 躑躅), are comparatively ubiquitous all through the nation, with bushes current in mainly each metropolis and city. Additionally they are typically inconspicuous, nevertheless. A lot as in the US, they’re used as a landscaping accent relatively than the principle focus, aside from a number of the azalea-viewing websites I’ll be mentioning on this article.
To place it one other approach, you might want to be considerably intentional about seeing azaleas in Japan if you wish to expertise them at their full magnificence. Due to this, I imagine that they’re barely underrated. There are good sides to this, in fact—even the most well-liked azalea backyard received’t be anyplace close to as crowded as Japan’s high sakura spots. Plus, they bloom per week or two later than most sakura timber, so you may decide how full they’ll be primarily based on the situation of the cherry blossoms in a given metropolis.
The place to Get pleasure from Azaleas in Japan in 2027
Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma
It most likely received’t shock you that Tsutsujigaoka Park in Gunma prefecture’s Tatebayashi metropolis is an azalea scorching spot, given its identify. What did shock me, regardless of all of the analysis I did earlier than going, is simply how huge the array of azaleas was, each the number of colours, in addition to the sheer variety of shrubs and their completely different sizes and shapes. Simply magnificent!
Shiofune Kannon-ji, Ome, Tokyo
Don’t but keep in mind how say “azalea” in Japanese? In case you go to Shiofune Kannon-ji temple, in Ome metropolis simply west of Tokyo, then don’t fear: Tsutsuji would be the solely phrase in your lips by the point you permit! Though you’ll discover a uniformity within the dimension of bushes at this temple (which, as its Japanese identify suggests, is residence to a towering Kannon statue), the quantity and dazzling shade of those shrubs makes them inconceivable to look away from.
Nezu Shrine, Tokyo
The primary time I visited Nezu Shrine, which is situated simply north of Tokyo’s Ueno Park, I felt amazed by the dimensions of the azalea show. If I’m sincere, it now appears fairly humble to me, having visited Tsutsujigaoka and Shiofune Kannon-ji particularly. Nonetheless, for those who plan to be in Tokyo over the past week of April (when azaleas right here sometimes attain full bloom), it’s price a go to. However go early to beat the crowds!
Nagaoka Tenmangu, Kyoto
As is the case for the Japanese azalea at Nezu Shrine in Tokyo, these at Nagaoka Tenmangu simply west of central Kyoto are considerably…easy. Right here, nevertheless, not like the multicolored bushes that dot the sacred house there, you’ll discover uniformly crimson tsutsuji, within the former of bigger tree-like shrubs. In consequence, whereas there’s undoubtedly a component of simplicity to the landscaping, the influence continues to be fairly dramatic.
Kairaku-en, Mito, Ibaraki
Final (for now) however not least is Kairaku-en, one of many “high three gardens” in Japan. It’s situated in Mito, the capital metropolis of Ibaraki, usually identified to be amongst Japan’s least-loved prefectures. I point out this to not degrade the place, however to make a secondary suggestion. Specifically, for the reason that blue nemophila at close by Hitachi Seaside Park are inclined to bloom at across the similar time because the azaleas within the backyard, you may attempt to see each in someday.
Different Locations to See Tsutsuji in Japan
I’ve gone out of my option to see azaleas in Japan, however even when I’ve not been in all places that’s well-known for them. In some instances, it is because my timing merely wasn’t proper. In 2024 for instance, after spending a number of days exploring the barely-visited islands simply west of town, I headed eastward to Nagasaki’s Mt. Unzen. Sadly, I arrived earlier than most of its well-known tsutsuji had sprung into bloom; whereas the mountain was lovely, I didn’t see it in its full glory.
In different situations, there are spots for seeing tsutsuji in Japan that I merely haven’t made it to. Amongst them are Mt. Katsuragi in Nara prefecture, which is residence to hundreds of bushes, and is thought amongst Japanese as top-of-the-line locations within the nation to see the flowers. One other place I desperately wish to see (Mt. Nagushiyama, which gives views of each azaleas and the ocean on the similar time) additionally occurs to be in Nagasaki, conveniently sufficient for me!
Different FAQ About Azaleas in Japan
Are there azaleas in Japan?
Sure, there are actually tens of millions of azalea bushes in Japan. Recognized in Japanese as tsutsuji, these flowers are primarily used as landscaping, as they’re in Western international locations. For intentional vacationers, nevertheless, it’s potential to see actually spectacular shows of the flowers at quite a lot of websites all through Japan.
The place can I see azaleas in Japan?
Along with their use as landscaping shrubs in cities and cities all through Japan, azaleas (or tsutsuji) are the main target of many Japanese points of interest. These embrace temples just like the spectacular Shiofune Kannon-ji in Ome metropolis simply west of Tokyo, and extra botanically-focused space corresponding to Tsutsujigaoka Park in underrated Gunma prefecture.
How do you say azalea in Japanese?
The Japanese phrase for azalea is tsutsuji. Curiously, that is sometimes represented as hiragana (つつじ) or katakana (ツツジ), even amongst Japanese individuals. The kanji (躑躅) comprise dozens of strokes, which makes them difficult to learn and particularly proper, even for native audio system.
The Backside Line
I don’t suppose I might ever get bored with seeing azaleas in Japan. Referred to as tsutsuji (つつじ) in Japanese, these show-stopping flowers are comparatively ubiquitous in Japanese cities and cities, however are additionally the deal with many websites and points of interest all through the nation, from Nagaoka Tenman-gu shrine in Kyoto, to the superlative Shiofune Kannon-ji temple in Ome metropolis simply west of Tokyo. Together with peach blossoms, wisteria and shibazakura, azaleas show that you just don’t must see a single cherry blossom to have an unforgettable spring journey to Japan. One other option to take your journey to the subsequent degree? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at this time!