The view looking up toward the observation tower.
- 1 min read

Tochigi's Flower Carpet Festival

Pink & Purple Shibazakura in Ichikai Town

Sandra Isaka
By Sandra Isaka
Community writer

When traveling by car to Mashiko for its Spring Pottery Festival, I also recommend visiting the Ichikai Shibazakura Matsuri. This festival runs usually runs from the middle of April until the middle of May. It is located off the beaten path and crowds are smaller than at the two more famous Kanto Shibazakura festivals in Chichibu and near Mt. Fuji.

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Sandra Isaka

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

The view looking up toward the observation tower.
Shibazakura is called moss phlox, moss pink, mountain phlox and/or creeping phlox in English. Each plant grows only six inches tall, but spreads to twenty-four inches wide.
The flower carpet covers a sloping hill. This is the view from a small observation platform at the top.
Shibazakura got its name in Japan due to having five petals similar to those of cherry blossoms, or sakura.
Shibazakura flowers are usually pink or red-purple to violet-purple, but can also be white.
Beside the parking lots are some stalls selling locally grown produce, goods made in the area, and food items. Parking at the festival is 500 yen per car, but entry is free.
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Veronika Tomanova
Veronika Tomanova 9 years ago
Wow:) it's so purple!
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Brigitte Christine Poniman
Brigitte Christine Poniman 9 years ago
Sandra Isaka how to get to Ichikai Shibazakura Matsuri from Tokyo by public transport? Info please. Thanks.
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Sandra Isaka
Sandra Isaka Author 9 years ago
I checked the Japanese website and there doesn't seem to be any sort of shuttle bus or mass transportation to the festival. However, if you traveled from Tokyo to Utsunomiya, you would then need to transfer to the Utsunomiya Line to Hoshakuji Station. Change trains there to the Karasuyama Line and take the train to the end, Karasuyama Station. It is a very small town, but they do have a few taxis. It would be about a 20 minute taxi ride - but getting back might be a problem. (We drove there). Without a car, I'd recommend that you visit a similar festival at Hitsujiyama Park - which is a short walk from Chichibu Station.
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