Japan is home to a huge variety of flowering plants and one of the joys of visiting the country is to experience its varied flora.

Certain flowers and flowering plants define the seasons and depending on what time of the year you visit Japan you will encounter these plants in abundance whether in parks and gardens or part of a traditional festival.

Plum Blossom

Plum trees (ume) blossom in late winter in Japan and are a sign that the cold months are nearly over and spring is on the way. There are many varieties of plum blossom in Japan and a number of different colors. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in north west Kyoto is particularly famous for its plum blossom. The plum tree was introduced to Japan from China and its fruits are used to make umeboshi (pickled plums) and umeshu (plum wine).
Camellia

Camellia (tsubaki) is seen everywhere in Japan especially in hedgerows lining sidewalks and apartment buildings. Camellia is an evergreen, with glossy green leaves throughout the year and bright, red showy flowers that drop suddenly when over. Tea (Camellia sinensis) can also be seen planted in neat rows throughout the Japanese countryside especially in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is famous for its tea production. Izu-Oshima Island has Japan's largest camellia garden.

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom (sakura) is the flower most associated with Japan and its culture. During the cherry blossom season, usually around the beginning of April, though later in the far north o...