Japanese Spring and Summer Flowers: Charms Beyond Cherry Blossoms - Especially in Historic and Natural Nikko

[Marian Goldberg]

Sendegahama, Primrose

Although the world is on pause, time is still passing. The flowers of the new season are still brightening the cities and countryside of Japan. While, Japan's cherry blossoms are world famous, other gorgeous flowers continue to bloom in in the succeeding seasons, even after the sakura have long faded.

The Japanese "Flower Calendar"

The Japanese "flower calendar" called Hana-goyomi, reflects their intrinsic love and appreciation for seasonal natural beauty. Japanese often mention a particular seasonal flower based on the Hana-goyomi in their formal letters and greetings. Seasonal flowers are also important "current news," especially on television.

After early April cherry blossoms, the flower calendar showcases, in order through June: wisteria, irises, rhododendrons, and clematis.

rhododendrons

Clematis

During the rainy season -- from the end of June to the beginning of July -- the hydrangea look especially beautiful. Perhaps this is because the subtle shades of the hydrangea flower appear deeper and more brilliant when sprinkled in raindrops.Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Flowers of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

In historic Nikko, two hours north of Tokyo, along the Tobu Railway Limited Express line, spring and summer flowers bloom everywhere. In the Senjugahama area, on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in what is known as Oku-Nikko or "deep Nikko," Kurinsou, Japanese Primrose, blooms from early to mid June. The pretty flowers from pale pink to magenta make an exquisite contrast to the green marshland.

Sendegahama, Primrose in Marshland

Nikko-Kisuge, a daylily, begins to appear in June, reaching full bloom in mid-July. Kirifuri Highland's observatory offers a breathtaking view of blooming Kisuge from an altitude of 1600 meters. Kisuge in Kirifuri Highland

Even if your dream to visit Japan doesn't come true this year, please visit Nikko next year or as soon as you can, to experience these magnificent seasonal flowers firsthand.

Okunikko Flower Calendar http://www.nikkoyumoto-vc.com/nature/flower.html (only Japanese)

Nikko Kirifuri Highland Kisugedaira Park http://www.kirifuri-kogen.jp/english/

Ashikaga Flower Park, also, in Tochigi Prefecture, is known worldwide for its extensive and dramatic wisteria: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/english/index.html

Wisteria Illuminated at Ashikaga Flower Park