Higashizawa Rose Park

• The Higashizawa Rose Festival which was scheduled to take place between May late and late June has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Sought for its hot springs and highlands, Yamagata Prefecture is the perfect getaway for relaxing and getting in touch with nature. What might come as surprising is that during your travels here, you can come across a giant rose garden at the foot of a mountain.

Located in the serene city of Murayama, Higashizawa Rose Park is like a place that came out of a picture book. Upon entering, the scent of the flowers gives you a warm welcome and the roses surrounding the area are far beyond your average flower garden.

If there is one thing that Japan does extremely well, it’s flower parks. Of course, there’s Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture, famous for its weeping wisteria, and the vast Hitachi Seaside Park, known for its sea of millions of blue flowers in spring, but this garden is less touristy.

A Paradise of roses

More than 700 species of roses from different parts of the world blossom in this seven-hectares-wide park.

Furthermore, you can even try varieties of snacks made from these flowers. For example, rose-flavored ice cream, soft cream, beverages, and more. If seeing and tasting is not enough, maybe you’ll be a believer if you can buy other products that will get you that rosy fragrance you want.

A post shared by @coolmimt on Jul 6, 2017 at 4:32am PDT

Higashizawa Park, an expansive park,  also has three ponds and a shrine leading up into the mountains, perfect for those feeling spiritual and sentimental. People, who do not fancy big crowds, will certainly enjoy this park, and couples will find it romantic because of its intimate and idyllic setting.

Seasonal events

The park has seasonal events that make this quiet place lively, which you wouldn’t want to miss.

In June and July, the roses are in its peak, hence the “Rose Festival (Bara Matsuri)” is held. However, from the middle of September to late October, there is another event that marks the start of fall. It’s no other than the  “Autumn Rose Festival.”

Before they start to wither, seize this period to see these beautiful flowers.

Discover the hidden gems of all 47 prefectures in Japan.