Flowers have a lot of meaning in this lovely country. Ikebana, or flower arranging, is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. At the same time, rather surprisingly, Japan has a long history of tattooing, and Japanese flowers are a popular tattoo.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that Japan is famous for sakura cherry blossoms, along with the whole concept of hanami (having a picnic and seeing cherry blossoms), so many tourists try to visit Japan to see them.

Clearly, there is something quite special and beautiful about Japanese flowers. It is perhaps an indicator of how deep flowering plants have penetrated the culture that visitors to Japan will want to visit a traditional Japanese garden, perhaps go to a flower park or festival, eat a sakura flavored KitKat or other sweet, and even sakura flavored sake.

Now that you know how important flowers are in Japan, you must be intrigued to know which flowers you can see in which season, but never fear, we have gathered all the information we could get to know exactly when which flowers are blooming!

Whether you're a first-time visitor to Japan or a seasoned traveler, you'll want to visit during the spring flower season. In addition to cherry blossoms, there are many other attractive spring flowers to explore. From plum to wisteria, there are plenty of varieties to enjoy. You may also want to check out some of the popular flower festivals in Japan.

The first blossoming flower of spring is not actually cherry blossoms, but ume (plum) blossoms! Known as "ume" in Japanese, they are an important cultural symbol in Japan and are celebrated as one of the first signs of spring.

Plum blossoms have significant historical and cultural importance in Japan. They symbolize vitality, hope, and renewal as they bloom even in the harsh winter weather, indicating the advent of spring. Plum blossoms were even the preferred flower for "hanami" flower viewing festivities before cherry blossoms gained popularity.

Plums are also used to make various Japanese foods and drinks, such as umeboshi (pickled plums) and umeshu (plum wine).

Any list of Japanese flowers wouldn’t be complete without mentioning sakura cherry blossoms! This flowering tree has become so famous that the news reports on the blossom forecast across Japan, and people across the whole country find time to enjoy hanami.

Although all cherry blossoms have some shared characteristics, there are significant variations within the Japanese cherry tree flower (sakura) family. If you take a closer look, you will notice differences in color, shape, size, and more. While most Japanese sakura blossoms are pale pink, they can also be white, dark pink, or even yellow!

Japan is known to have more than 200 types of cherry trees, including both wild and cultivated varieties. Check out our article here to learn more about when and where you can enjoy these beautiful flowers.

Significance: Cherry blossoms, or sakura, symbolize the transient beauty of life in Japanese culture. Hanami, or flower viewing, is a popular activity during this season.

In Japan, azaleas are highly esteemed for their stunning beauty and elegance, symbolizing femininity, self-control, and intense emotion. They bloom from late April to early May, coinciding with the iconic cherry blossom season. This flowering period is marked by numerous azalea festivals throughout the country.

Azaleas also hold a prominent place in traditional Japanese art, such as painting and woodblock prints, where they are appreciated for their vivid hues and refined beauty. The renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, for instance, featured azaleas in his exquisite woodblock print Cuckoo and Azaleas. Additionally, in the 11th-century literary masterpiece The Tale of Genji, Prince Genji is portrayed planting azaleas alongside cherry trees and wisteria in a garden dedicated to his beloved Murasaki, who cherished these flowers.

Wisteria is a flower highly regarded in Japanese culture for its association with good luck, kindness, and longevity. It has been a cherished flower in Japan for centuries, and it is prominently featured in literature, art, and cultural traditions.

In Japan, Wisteria is commonly known as "fuji." During the Heian period (794-1185), the color purple, which is the color of the wisteria flower, was exclusively reserved for royalty and the aristocracy.

Wisteria plants produce a cascade of flowers, up to 50cm long, and can have upwards of 100 flowers on just one tree. The Japanese wisteria is typically a pale purple or blue color and is cultivated by gardeners around the world. Japan is home to some of the most famous wisteria gardens in the world, some of which are mentioned below.

Tulips are widely considered to be one of the most common and popular flowers in Japan. They are often associated with perfection, profound love, and joy. The tulip was first introduced to Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) through the country's relations with the Netherlands. Japan has several major tulip festivals and parks that showcase these beautiful flowers, some of which are mentioned below.

Canolas, also known as rapeseed or field mustard, are characterized by their bright yellow flower buds and greens that are harvested before the flowers fully bloom. In Japan, canolas are considered a seasonal delicacy that marks the arrival of spring. The young, tender greens and flower buds are commonly used in Japanese cuisine, often boiled and served with dashi (stock) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes). They can also be pickled, used in salads, or added to stir-fries and other dishes. In Japan, canolas are celebrated at flower festivals, where the bright yellow fields are enjoyed for their springtime beauty, often contrasted with the pink of cherry blossoms.

Shibazakura, also known as moss phlox or lawn cherry, is a stunning plant that blooms in spring in Japan. This plant is native to America and grows close to the ground, producing beautiful flowers. Shibazakura is highly prized in Japan for its striking, carpet-like appearance when in full bloom, which is reminiscent of cherry blossoms. There are several spots in Japan where you can enjoy the shibazakura, many of which hold annual festivals to celebrate the blooming of the moss phlox.

Nemophila, also known as "baby blue eyes," is a spring flower that is famous for its beautiful blue blossoms in Japan. Native to western North America, particularly California and Oregon, it is known for its bright blue, bowl-shaped flowers that bloom in April to May, just after the cherry blossom season. These popular ornamental plants are cultivated in several large fields in Japan, creating dreamy fields of color.

Roses, known as "bara" in Japanese, were originally imported from China and began being cultivated as a garden crop in the 12th century. In Japanese culture, roses are highly valued and are a popular symbol of the country's beautiful autumn season. European varieties of roses arrived in Japan later, and the postwar period saw the beginnings of the first rose exhibitions and rose societies in Japan. Today, there are many famous gardens and areas where roses can be enjoyed, including the ones mentioned below.

Poppies do not hold a particular significance in Japanese culture but are admired for their beauty at several locations throughout the country. During mid-spring, many large parks will open poppy fields to visitors. The colorful petals of the poppies create a stunning contrast against the blue sky and greenery, making it a sight worth seeing.

During the summer season, Japan is full of flowers that make a great addition to any itinerary. The country has a rich tradition of flower viewing. Some of the best flowers in Japan include hydrangea, sunflowers, azaleas, iris, and lavender.

Hanashobu, also known as the Japanese iris, is one of the primary types of iris grown in Japan. In Japanese flower symbolism, they represent happy news, a gentle heart, and elegance. Hanashobu is a water-loving iris that grows in wetland areas. It is the most extensively cultivated variety of Japanese iris, with many different cultivars selected for gardens throughout Japan. Japanese irises usually bloom from early to late June, but depending on the area they can bloom as early as May. They come in shades of purple, including reddish-purple, and have a unique "vein" pattern on their petals, with a yellow streak in the center of the flower.

Lotus flowers can be found blooming in ponds and lakes throughout Japan from mid-July to mid-August. These beautiful flowers are known for their large and vibrant pink, red or white petals, which have an exceptional fragrance. In Japan, lotus flowers hold deep spiritual significance, rising from the mud and bloom into a beautiful flower, representing the journey from suffering to enlightenment. Apart from their spiritual meaning, lotus flowers are also used in Japanese cuisine. The roots of the lotus, known as renkon, are a popular ingredient in dishes like tempura and stir-fries.

Sunflowers, called "himawari" in Japanese, are a very popular flower in Japan. They bloom in the summer months, typically from late July to mid-August, and there are many famous sunflower fields and festivals across the country during this time. Sunflowers have become a symbol of hope and recovery in Japan, seen as also representing happiness, positivity, luck, and longevity in Japanese culture.

Hydrangeas, also known as "ajisai" in Japanese, are believed to have originated in Japan and other parts of Asia. Ancient Japanese literature from the Nara period (710-784) mentions these flowers. They usually flower from May to July, reaching their peak in June during the rainy season known as tsuyu. There are more than 30 different types of hydrangeas that can be found in Japan. Notably, the leaves of the Hydrangea serrata variety are used to brew amacha, a sweet tea traditionally consumed during the Buddha's birthday celebrations. Throughout June and July, hydrangea festivals are commonly held across Japan.

Lavender is cherished and iconic in Japan, particularly on Hokkaido, the northernmost island. Introduced for cultivation in the 1940s, lavender began as an agricultural product but evolved into a major tourist draw as cheaper imports became available. While lavender will grow in other regions of Japan, like Nagano and Gunma, Hokkaido is now the premier location to view breathtaking lavender fields. The Furano region, in the heart of Hokkaido, is particularly famous for its extensive lavender fields, which are at their most spectacular from late June through early August.

Dahlias, originally from the high plains of Mesoamerica, particularly Mexico, are not native to Japan. Nonetheless, Japanese breeders have created numerous distinctive varieties. Known for their vivid colors and unique forms, dahlias have become a celebrated part of Japanese horticulture. Japan boasts several famous dahlia gardens and festivals, highlighting the nation's fondness for these vibrant flowers.

During the months of September and October, the leaves of trees change color in Japan and fall bouquets of flowers appear. Fields of cosmos and spider lilies bloom, and you can enjoy chrysanthemum festivals at many larger temples around Japan.

Cosmos flowers, celebrated as the "autumn cherry blossoms" or "akizakura" in Japan, are a quintessential part of the fall landscape. Known for their ease of cultivation and variety of colors, fields of cosmos can range in hue from golden to pink, enhancing the beauty of the autumn scenery. Throughout Japan, large swathes of cosmos are planted, making flower viewing a popular seasonal pastime. Numerous festivals and events dedicated to these vibrant autumn blooms are held across the country, celebrating their colorful display.

Manjushage, also known as red spider lilies or higanbana, are a distinctive and captivating flower that bloom in Japan from mid-September to early October. Noted for their vivid crimson red color and unique spider-like petals, these flowers are deeply embedded in Japanese culture. They bloom around the autumn equinox, coinciding with the significant Buddhist observance of O-Higan. Traditionally planted around gravesites, their poisonous bulbs served a practical purpose in deterring animals from disturbing graves, earning manjushage the monikers "death flower" or "corpse flower." The striking red color of the blooms, reminiscent of blood, has also linked them to themes of death and the afterlife in Japanese folklore, where they are sometimes seen as representations of spirits, with their fluttering petals likened to ghosts. Despite these somber associations, manjushage remains a cherished symbol of autumn, attracting many visitors to parks during their annual flowering season.

The chrysanthemum, or "kiku" in Japanese, holds a venerable status as Japan's national flower, a symbol deeply ingrained in its culture for centuries. Introduced from China in the 5th century, it quickly found favor with the Japanese imperial family and even appears on the front of the Japanese passport. In Japan, the chrysanthemum represents longevity, rejuvenation, and nobility, and is associated with autumn, the harvest season, and prosperity. A smaller variety of the chrysanthemum, resembling a dandelion, is commonly used as a garnish in sashimi dishes. In Yamagata Prefecture, the tradition of consuming this flower is present today, where people enjoy its petals boiled and served with soy sauce, pickled, or as tempura.

This isn’t a flower, but during the autumn visitors to Japan are given a real treat as the leaves turn different shades of red and yellow, it creates a really beautiful sight. They can be seen in cities and the countryside, basically anywhere there are trees!

During the winter months, Japan is home to a variety of flowers that blossom and bloom, adding color to the Japanese landscape.

Winter typically isn't the season associated with blooming flowers, yet in Japan, the chilly months can still surprise you with vibrant blooms. Kan-botan, also known as Fuyu-botan, are a special variety of peonies that flourish in winter. These flowers, symbols of fertility and nobility, showcase their large, colorful petals from November to January. In regions where snow is common, these winter peonies are often sheltered with straw covers to protect them from the cold, ensuring their beauty can be admired even in the frostiest conditions.

The Japanese narcissus, known locally as suisen, is one of the common daffodil varieties in Japan. These flowers are distinguished by their delicate white and yellow blooms, which are smaller than those of other daffodil types. Blooming from December to January, the suisen offers a delightful sight of flowering daffodils even during the colder months.