Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ / Public Domain
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ / Public Domain
- 3 min read

5 of Japan's Best Rose Gardens

Destinations to enjoy these symbolic flowers across the country

Roses are seen as one of the world's most symbolic flowers, and there are a host of different gardens across Japan where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of them. This list covers five rose gardens in five different prefectures to get you started.

Echigo Hillside Park Rose Garden, Niigata

From around early June to mid-June each year, Nagaoka's Echigo Hillside Park is home to a rose festival, with blooms in a variety of different colors and from different regions of the world. Along with the visual treat that the roses present, there are also a range of rose-themed items for sale, including rose-flavored soft serve ice cream at the on-site Rose Cafe.

Mitsumata 1950-1, Miyamotohigashikatamachi, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2082

Echigo Hillside Park Rose Garden
Echigo Hillside Park Rose Garden (Photo: uka0310 / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Kanoya Rose Garden, Kagoshima

Fun fact for you: Kagoshima's Kanoya Rose Garden lays claim to being Japan's largest rose garden. It spans around 8 hectares, with a whopping 35,000 roses in 1500 different varieties to enjoy. If you get hungry after strolling around and appreciating the blooms, there is even an on-site restaurant with some unique menu items - you'll find things like rose-flavored soft serve ice cream and a rose curry that comes served in a pinkish hue.

1250 番地 Hamadacho, Kanoya, Kagoshima 893-0053

Kanoya Rose Garden, Kagoshima
Kanoya Rose Garden, Kagoshima (Photo: Sanjo / Public Domain)

Ishida Rose Garden, Akita

The Ishida Rose Garden is located in Odate, Akita Prefecture, and the grounds are home to around 500 different types of these beautiful flowers for visitors to enjoy. The garden hosts an annual rose festival to celebrate the flowers in all their glory, which also includes rose flavored sweets and rose saplings available for purchase, and an evening illumination event. Best of all, entrance is completely free!

10 Sannomaru, Odate, Akita 017-0897

Ishida Rose Garden in Odate, Akita Prefecture
Ishida Rose Garden in Odate, Akita Prefecture (Photo: 掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Keisei Rose Garden, Chiba

The Keisei Rose Garden in Chiba boasts 10,000 roses comprising of 1,600 varieties, and they tend to be at their best around the mid-May timeframe. During the blooming period there are typically a host of other fun events, including rose tea being served to guests, musical performances, and more. A full rundown of the events during rose season can be found on the garden's official website.

755 番地 Owada Shinden, Yachiyo, Chiba 276-0046

Keisei Rose Garden, Chiba
Keisei Rose Garden, Chiba (Photo: TANAKA Juuyoh / CC BY 2.0)

Kyu Furukawa Gardens, Tokyo

Tokyo's Kyu Furukawa Gardens combine the beauty of both Japanese and Western-style garden design, and the scenic grounds are home to an impressive number of rose varieties. At the garden shop, visitors are also able to purchase a range of rose-flavored goodies, including rose jam, rose yokan, and rose ice cream.

1 Chome-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0024

*Do note that in 2021 the garden is closed during rose season to prevent against the spread of coronavirus.

Roses at the Kyu Furukawa Garden
Roses at the Kyu Furukawa Garden (Photo: Guilhem Vellut / CC BY 2.0)
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Lynda Hogan 2 years ago
May is all about the roses! I love the open gardens that come with rose season, particularly ones that serve coffee or tea in their garden!
Elizabeth S 2 years ago
The rose blooming season is very long in the Kanto region. I see some hardy ones bloom right through the winter. But May and June have got to the best time to catch them at their most fragrant.
Elena Lisina 2 years ago
The Queen of flowers!
Kim Author 2 years ago
Yes! Popular all around the world, I think!
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